The Division IME statute has been amended to include a new timeframe and procedure for responding to a DIME report. The Division has posted an instructive memo that can be found here.
In a nutshell, a respondent’s time to respond to a Division IME report no longer is based upon the date the physician mails the report. Instead, the Division IME Unit will now enter a “Notice of DIME Report Receipt” once it determines that the report is sufficient. This Notice from the Division IME Unit triggers the time to respond. A respondent must file either an admission of liability or an application for hearing within 20 days of the Notice of DIME Report Receipt. Note that in addition to the triggering event changing, the time period for responding has decreased from 30 days to 20 days.
These changes apply to all DIME examinations requested on or after August 7, 2013, regardless of the date of injury or the date of claim.
