# LTD examinations that answer the policy questions, not just the diagnosis

> We coordinate the examination and deliver a report that tests job demands, duration, and restrictions, so the file can move.

Source: https://imecore.com/use-cases/long-term-disability

## The report recites the chart and never answers own occupation

You asked whether this person can do this job, and for how long. What comes back is a diagnosis and a prognosis. The own-occupation period is already ending, and human resources still cannot set restrictions.

- The job description is missing or two years stale.
- Attending physician statements contradict the specialist notes.
- The own-occupation period ends while records are still outstanding.
- Psychiatric and physical questions get mixed in one report.
- Restrictions have no review date anyone can use.

## What IMECore does about it

### Questions about the job, not only the diagnosis

Your referral names the occupation, the demands, and whether the question is own occupation or any occupation. The report answers each one separately.

### Attending records and the job file, collected

We gather physician statements, specialist notes, pharmacy, and a current job description, and show you the gaps.

### Own occupation kept separate from any occupation

The report treats own occupation, any occupation, and duration as distinct answers. A reviewer checks each one.

### The right specialty for the question

Psychiatry, physiatry, or occupational medicine. We match the examiner to what your file actually asks.

### Restrictions with a review date

Each restriction carries a scope and a review date, so the employer gets capability they can act on.

### A committed date, visible from referral

Specialist diaries run long. You see the committed report date from the day you refer.

## How it runs

1. **Send the LTD referral.** Send the policy question, the occupation, and the date the own-occupation period ends.
2. **We collect the job and the chart.** We request attending statements, specialist notes, pharmacy, and a current job description.
3. **We book the specialty your questions need.** Psychiatry, physiatry, or occupational medicine, matched to the question, with the report date set.
4. **You get duration and restrictions, answered.** We release the report once own occupation, any occupation, and each restriction have answers.

## Numbers worth knowing

| Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $4,000–$8,000+ | Typical BC psychiatric or neurological IME cost | lawyerinfo.ca, BC WCAT guide |
| 2–6 months | Typical wait to book a BC specialist IME | lawyerinfo.ca, BC WCAT guide |
| ~6.5 hours | Average examiner time per IME across review, exam, and report | SEAK 2024 IME fee survey |

## Questions people ask

### Is an LTD examination the same as a SABS insurer examination?

No. LTD sits on the disability policy, not on the SABS. The questions are occupation, duration, and restrictions. Ontario FSRA SABS rules do not govern the file.

### What records does the examiner need?

Attending physician statements, specialist notes, pharmacy, imaging, and a current description of job demands. Without the job file, the own-occupation question has nothing to test.

### Can the employer see the diagnosis?

The employer view shows capability and restriction. Clinical detail stays with the insurer and the examiner unless the employee consents to more.

### What if we only need a paper review?

Ask for a Medical File Review on the same questions. It helps when a specialist examination will not land in time. It cannot speak to current presentation.

### How do we handle a change from own occupation to any occupation?

Put both questions on the referral. The report treats them as separate answers with separate dates.