As we have seen in previous posts, you need to pass an exam if you want to be a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) in California. However, as you might imagine, there’s more to being a QME than an exam. For example, is there a fee to be a Qualified Medical Evaluator in California? Keep reading to find out.
What Do Qualified Medical Evaluators Do?
A Qualified Medical Evaluator (or QME) is a physician certified by the Medical Unit of California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) to examine injured workers and write medical-legal reports that reflect their findings.
The work of QMEs is essential to the workers’ compensation process because their medical-legal reports help determine if an injured worker is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
As for who can become a Qualified Medical Evaluator, any of the following healthcare professionals can be a QME in California, provided that they meet all the necessary requirements, including passing the QME exam.
- Medical doctors
- Doctors of osteopathy
- Doctors of chiropractic
- Dentists
- Optometrists
- Podiatrists
- Psychologists
- Acupuncturists
Is There a Fee To Be a QME in California?
Yes, Qualified Medical Evaluators in California must pay an annual fee as part of their requirements to maintain their status. Here’s how it works:
- $250 annual fee if you performed 25 or more comprehensive medical-legal evaluations in the year prior to assessment of the fee
- $125 annual fee if you performed 11-24 examinations
- $110 annual fee if you performed 0-10 examinations
- These fees are for one office location. If you want to add other locations, the fee is $100 for every additional location
If you have lost track of the number of times your name has appeared on a QME panel over the last 12 months, don’t worry: You can contact the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit at (800) 794-6900 to get assistance.
Practice IQ: Medical Billing Services in California
At Practice IQ, we understand the challenges healthcare professionals face in today’s fast-paced world. That’s why we have made it our mission to take care of the administrative side of medical-legal reports and billing so you can focus on what you do best.
We are located in Pomona, California, and serve clients all over the Golden State. Contact us today by telephone (424-433-5704) or email (piqusinfo@practiceiqusa.com), or fill out the contact form to learn more about our services.
