Qualified medical evaluator process
Qualified medical evaluators (QMEs) are qualified physicians who are certified by the Division of Workers' Compensation - Medical Unit to examine injured workers to evaluate disability and write medical-legal reports. The reports are used to determine an injured worker's eligibility for workers' compensation benefits. QMEs include medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, doctors of chiropractic, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, psychologists and acupuncturists.
Becoming a qualified medical examiner:
Online physician education courses now available
DWC offers free online education courses providing continuing education credits for physicians, QMEs, chiropractors, and nurses. Current offerings include the use of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) and tips for Qualified Medical Evaluators (QME).
Study Guides:
- Competency examination booklet
- Competency examination for acupuncturists
- Physician guide - The Physician’s Guide is intended as an educational and reference tool to supplement the reader’s professional experience. While intended primarily for treating providers, others in the workers’ compensation community may also find the information helpful, particularly Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) and those preparing for the QME certification exam.
QME competency examination results:
New QME:
- Report writing course providers
- Report writing course providers for chiropractors. This course must be completed prior to being appointed as a QME:
- The International Chiropractor Association of California (ICAC). You may contact James E. Musick, DC at 916-362-8816 or icachome@msn.com to enroll. (Offers 25-Hour Course)
- California Chiropractic Association (CCA). You may contact Shasta Carey at 916-648-2727 or scarey@calchiro.org to enroll. (Offers 25-Hour Course)
- Life Chiropractic College West (Life West). You may contact Mark Zuber, DC at 469-223-7339 or mzuberdc@fightdoc.com to enroll.
QME reappointment:
- Continuing education
-
Online Portal for Submission of QME Medical-Legal Reports - QMEs are required to submit their two most recent medical-legal reports in which there was a face-to-face evaluation and the injured worker was determined to have reached the status of maximum medical improvement. If the QME did not generate two such reports in the two years prior to their reappointment date, they may submit a statement of explanation in lieu of the reports.
Resources:
- Online QME Form 106 Panel Request
For injuries on or after 1/1/05, online only as of Oct. 1, 2015
- Online physician education courses now available
DWC offers free online education courses providing continuing education credits for physicians, QMEs, chiropractors, and nurses. Current offerings include the use of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) and tips for Qualified Medical Evaluators (QME).
QME Discipline
Database:
- Qualified medical evaluator (QME) database
- Areas of Expertise by QME Specialty for MD and DO Physicians Performing QME Evaluations
- Areas of Expertise by QME Specialty for Non-MD/DO
Frequently asked questions:
- FAQs about QMEs for injured workers
- FAQs about QMEs for insurers
- FAQs on QMEs for physicians
- How to serve your report on DEU and be EAMS compliant
- How to Successfully Request a Represented Panel
What's New
May 2024