QME & AME Evaluations
A Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) is a physician certified by the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit to evaluate an injured worker when a workers’ compensation claim involves a medical dispute. An Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) is a physician that applicant and defense attorneys choose together in a represented case instead of using a state QME panel. Sound Medical Evaluators schedules QME, AME and IME evaluations with a growing network of physicians statewide, across Southern and Northern California.
- Panel QME, AME and IME evaluations, supplemental reports and depositions
- Request online, by phone or by email, and upload the panel letter and demographics with your request
- Live staff from 8 AM to 5 PM PT for scheduling and case questions
Prefer to talk now? Call (916) 461-9602
Request an Evaluation
Send us the case details and our scheduling team will confirm a physician, date and location. Live staff are available 8 AM to 5 PM PT.
Request an Appointment
- QME, AME & IMEpanel, agreed and independent evaluations
- Statewide across CaliforniaSouthern and Northern California
- Live staff 8 AM to 5 PM PTscheduling and case questions
- Deposition supportphysicians available to testify on their reports
QME vs AME: what is the difference?
Both are medical-legal evaluations in California workers’ compensation. The difference is how the evaluator is chosen.
What is a QME?
A Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) is a physician certified by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit in California to conduct medical evaluations related to workers’ compensation claims. QMEs assess the nature, extent and cause of work-related injuries or illnesses, providing objective medical opinions that help resolve disputes between injured workers and employers or insurance carriers.
What’s an AME?
An Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) is a physician that both the applicant and defense attorneys choose together in a represented case, instead of picking from the state QME panel. Same expertise and the same thorough report. About AME evaluations
| Question | QME | AME |
|---|---|---|
| How is the evaluator chosen? | From a panel of three QMEs randomly selected by the DWC Medical Unit (8 CCR §30) | Applicant and defense attorneys agree on the physician |
| Which cases? | Represented and unrepresented cases | Represented cases |
| Report deadline | 30 days after the evaluation, with limited extensions (8 CCR §38) | 30 days after the evaluation, with limited extensions (8 CCR §38) |
| Opinion | Impartial medical opinion | Impartial medical opinion |
Sources: DWC regulations 8 CCR §30 (QME panel requests) and 8 CCR §38 (evaluation time frames).
Evaluations and medical-legal services
We schedule medical-legal evaluations and coordinate the appointment, the records and the report, so injured workers, attorneys and claims professionals know what happens next.
Qualified Medical Evaluations (QME)
Panel QME evaluations for represented and unrepresented workers’ compensation cases, addressing disputed medical issues such as causation, impairment, work restrictions and future medical care.
Agreed Medical Evaluations (AME)
Evaluations by a physician that applicant and defense counsel have agreed on, for represented cases where both sides prefer a mutually selected evaluator. About AME evaluations
Independent Medical Evaluations (IME)
Objective, evidence-based assessments with impartial findings, clear documentation and compliance with California regulations. About IME evaluations
Thorough medical records review
Analysis of complete medical histories, treatment timelines and documentation to support clear conclusions and compliant medical-legal reports.
Comprehensive medical reports
Clear, well-structured findings that summarize the evaluation, the medical records and the conclusions in a format that supports informed decisions by judges, attorneys and all parties.
Supplemental reports and depositions
Supplemental reports to address new records or follow-up questions, and deposition testimony from the evaluating physician, requested through the same process.
For injured workers, attorneys and adjusters
Every evaluation is performed independently, and reports are written to be neutral regardless of which party requested the exam.
Injured workers
If your QME panel or appointment lists one of our physicians, call (916) 461-9602 or email admin@soundmedeval.com with your claim number. We offer flexible scheduling, and live staff answer scheduling questions from 8 AM to 5 PM PT.
Applicant and defense attorneys
We schedule evaluations for applicant and defense attorneys, coordinate records and deposition dates, and keep every party informed. Information for attorneys
Adjusters, employers and TPAs
Claims administrators, employers and third-party administrators can request QME, AME and IME evaluations, supplemental reports and depositions online, by phone or by email.
How to request a QME or AME evaluation
Requesting an evaluation takes four steps. You can use the online request form, call or email.
- 1Gather the detailsEvaluation type (QME, panel QME, AME, IME or deposition), claim number, panel number for a panel QME, and whether the worker is represented or needs an interpreter.
- 2Submit your requestUse the online request form, where you can upload the panel letter and demographics, or call or email our office.
- 3Confirm the appointmentOur staff confirm the physician, date and location with the requesting party and coordinate the records needed for the evaluation.
- 4Exam and reportThe physician examines the injured worker, reviews the records and serves the report. Supplemental reports and depositions can be requested the same way.
What happens at a QME or AME evaluation
Each step is handled with clinical accuracy, regulatory compliance and clear communication from start to finish.
Appointment scheduling
Flexible scheduling to accommodate injured workers and other parties.
Comprehensive examination
The physician performs a detailed examination and reviews the medical records for a thorough understanding of the case.
Detailed reporting
A clear, comprehensive report with the relevant medical findings and opinions, served within DWC time frames.
Legal submission and support
The physician serves the report and provides supplemental reports or deposition testimony to explain and defend the findings.
Where we schedule evaluations
Sound Medical Evaluators schedules QME, AME and IME evaluations all across California. Coverage is statewide: we schedule across Southern and Northern California.
Statewide across California
Evaluations are available at office locations throughout California, in both Southern and Northern California.
Matched to the injured worker
Tell us where the injured worker lives or works and the preferred area for the exam, and our scheduling team will match the request to an available physician and location.
Meet some of our QME and AME physicians
Each physician below takes both QME and AME cases. They are part of a growing network of physicians across many specialties. Browse all physicians by specialty.
QME and AME FAQ for California workers’ compensation
What is a QME in California?
A Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) is a physician certified by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit in California to conduct medical evaluations related to workers’ compensation claims. A QME assesses the nature, extent and cause of a work-related injury or illness and gives an objective medical opinion that helps resolve disputes between injured workers and employers or insurance carriers.
What is the difference between a QME and an AME?
An Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) is a physician that applicant and defense attorneys agree on, so AMEs are used in represented cases. A QME is selected from a panel of three physicians issued by the DWC Medical Unit when the parties do not agree on an evaluator. QMEs are certified by the DWC Medical Unit, and both AMEs and QMEs are expected to give impartial medical opinions.
How is a QME chosen from a panel?
Under 8 CCR §30, the DWC Medical Unit issues a panel of three QMEs randomly selected from the requested specialty. An unrepresented worker or the claims administrator requests the panel on QME Form 105. In a represented case, the panel is requested online, and within 10 days of service of the panel each party may strike one name.
How do I request an evaluation with Sound Medical Evaluators?
Submit the online request form, call (916) 461-9602 or email admin@soundmedeval.com. Include the evaluation type, claim number, panel number for a panel QME, the evaluating physician if known, the preferred exam location and any interpreter needs. You can upload the panel letter and demographics with the form.
What happens during a QME evaluation?
The physician reviews the injured worker’s medical history, current condition and treatment timeline, examines the injured worker, assesses functional limitations and evaluates whether the injury is work-related. The physician then prepares a report that addresses the disputed issues, such as causation, impairment, work restrictions and future medical care.
How long does it take to receive the QME or AME report?
Under 8 CCR §38, an initial or follow-up comprehensive medical-legal evaluation report must be prepared and submitted within 30 days after the QME, Agreed Panel QME or AME has seen the employee or otherwise started the evaluation. The DWC Medical Director may approve an extension of up to 30 more days only in limited situations.
Are the physicians available for depositions?
Yes. Evaluating physicians are available for deposition testimony about their reports. Select “Deposition” on the request form or contact our office, and we will coordinate a date with the physician and the parties.
Do you work with both applicant and defense attorneys?
Yes. We schedule evaluations for applicant attorneys, defense attorneys, employers, adjusters and third-party administrators. Every evaluation is performed independently, and reports are written to be neutral regardless of which party requested the exam.
Need a QME or AME evaluation?
Our team guides you through every step of the process, from the request to the final report. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation.
Request an EvaluationQME panel and report-timing information summarizes California DWC regulations (8 CCR §30 and §38) and is general information, not legal advice. Physician availability varies by specialty and location.
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Contact Us
- Phone(916) 461-9602
- Emailadmin@soundmedeval.com
- Mail4195 Chino Hills Pkwy, Ste E, #516, Chino Hills, CA 91709