In workers' compensation proceedings, AME stands for what?

In workers' compensation proceedings, AME stands for what?

• A. Agreed Medical Examiner
• B. Authorized Medical Examiner
• C. Administrative Medical Examiner
• D. Assigned Medical Examiner

Answer: (A)

Agreed Medical Examiner is the physician mutually selected by the employee and the employer to perform a medical-legal evaluation when medical questions are disputed in workers’ compensation. Having a single examiner chosen by both sides helps ensure the medical-legal opinion reflects a consensus view and can speed resolution by avoiding conflicting independent reports. The AME examines the patient, reviews records, and issues a report on work-relatedness, impairment, and causation to inform the claim. This differs from a Qualified Medical Examiner, who is appointed from a state panel by the Administrative Director when the parties can’t agree on an examiner, and whose findings carry weight in resolving medical issues. The other terms aren’t used in California workers’ compensation practice.

Agreed Medical Examiner is the physician mutually selected by the employee and the employer to perform a medical-legal evaluation when medical questions are disputed in workers’ compensation. Having a single examiner chosen by both sides helps ensure the medical-legal opinion reflects a consensus view and can speed resolution by avoiding conflicting independent reports. The AME examines the patient, reviews records, and issues a report on work-relatedness, impairment, and causation to inform the claim. This differs from a Qualified Medical Examiner, who is appointed from a state panel by the Administrative Director when the parties can’t agree on an examiner, and whose findings carry weight in resolving medical issues. The other terms aren’t used in California workers’ compensation practice.