An Independent Medical Examination (IME) occurs when a physician who has not previously been involved in a person’s care examines an individual. There is not doctor-patient relationship. IMEs may be conducted to determine the cause, extent and medical treatment of a work-related or other injury where liability is at issue; whether an individual has reached maximum benefit from treatment and whether any permanent impairment remains after treatment. An IME may be conducted at the request of an employer or an insurance carrier to obtain an independent opinion of the clinical status of the individual.