Independent psychiatric evaluations are provided upon request to medical, legal, governmental, and insurance professionals. Examples include:

	Social Security Psychiatric Disability Evaluations
	Independent Psychiatric Evaluations for litigation

1. Personal injury claims
2. Workers Compensation claims

Agreed evaluations performed for plaintiff and defense

Psychiatric IME's typically consist of a comprehensive medical and psychiatric record review and a face to face evaluation of the patient or client.  Our practice is to provide a comprehensive written report by fax to the referring party within 5-15 business days (the time required may be longer in the case of extremely complex evaluations) of the completion of the evaluation. The evaluation is sufficiently comprehensive to serve as a basis for subsequent deposition testimony or courtroom testimony if required.  It is my preference that the professional making the referral provide an assignment letter setting forth the issues that are in dispute and that the report must address, since this will make the process more efficient.

All IME's are conducted in a respectful and impartial manner, and reports are provided in an objective fact-based manner.  It is my view that clear and unbiased IME's benefit all parties.  Quality IME's improve the efficiency of claims management and administration, and avoid unnecessary legal process and expense.

I conduct independent psychiatric evaluations at the request of attorneys, insurance companies, and governmental agencies.  References are available upon request.

Fees are based on time the required to complete the evaluation.    The average time required for a standard record review is between 1 and 6 hours, and is tracked in decimal equivalents of an hour for billing purposes.  In the case of extremely large records (> 600 pages of dense material) the time required may be greater. All files submitted for review will be read and noted, unless otherwise specified.  My staff will organize files for my review at no additional charge. Professional fees for face to face evaluation of the patient or client are billed at the same hourly rate, the fee being determined by the actual amount of my personal time used.  Fee information is available by request.

Payment policy: All estimated fees are payable in advance with the time scheduled for deposition or testimony contingent on timely receipt. Scheduled times will be canceled if fees are not received according to schedule. We extend the option of billing for charges after evaluation completion as a courtesy to regular local clients. Any unused retainer is promptly refunded.

Depositions and court testimony usually require substantial (i.e. more than 1 month) advance scheduling notice because of the adjustments required to the office therapy schedule.  Fee schedules are available upon request.

Cancellation policy: All IME's  require 72 hours notice of cancellation.  For depositions and court testimony a full 7 days advance notice of cancellation is required.  A formal informational letter is provided to each client outlining office policies at the time of scheduling. In specific instances which are clearly set forth in advance, fees may not be refundable, and these will be set forth in the informational letter.