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The Forest Hills IPA Inc. (FHIPA) is a nationwide Individual Practice Association -- hence the "I P A" in our name -- of licensed mental health professionals and consultants. Established in 1987 by Dr. Leonard Grossman, our ranks include psychiatrists, psychologists, neuropsychologists and related specialists in the field of mental health.
Each case is reviewed and supervised
by a licensed mental health professional
from start to finish.
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No Fee Consulting
As a professionally owned and operated company FHIPA is fully committed to delivering reliable IME and peer review services. Our client base includes major disability insurers, IME Vendors, and companies that offer Employee Assistance Program services. FHIPA's expertise in the mental health arena uniquely qualifies us to assist clients in arranging evaluations of the highest professional quality.
There are no additional FHIPA charges beyond the original IME fee quoted to our clients. We also offer no fee professional consulting services to customers who have questions concerning the type of specialty or testing that may be required for a particular diagnosis or set of symptoms. Access to a professional consultant is particularly handy in cases in which a customer mistakenly asks for the wrong type of IME specialist.
FHIPA's Seven Step IME Process
Service highlights from our comprehensive seven step IME process include:
- Step One: Submit Cases Using Your Own On-Line Referral Form
FHIPA offers regular customers their own individualized on-line IME and peer review referral form. Access is secured and the customized form will include any special data fields required by the customer. An "all purpose" version of this form can be viewed here. Of course, we will also take in your referrals by phone if you prefer.
- Step Two: Credentialing Examiners
FHIPA's credentialing process begins, but does not end, with obtaining copies of an examiner's CV, license, and malpractice insurance. Confirming licensing status is more complicated as it is not possible to tell from a copy or an on-line service check if the license it's actually in force. FHIPA will always makes sure that a license is up-to-date and without any restrictions or pending disciplinary matters.
Assessing CVs runs a close second in importance to licensing verification. At FHIPA all CVs are reviewed by a licensed mental health professional, so customers can always be certain that a prospective examiner is qualified to perform the desired type of service.
- Step Three: Locating the Examiner
FHIPA will promptly locate a qualified IME examiner from among our 2,500 member nationwide network of pre-screened mental health professionals. Appointments are typically scheduled in less than 48 hours, and in many cases the same day.
- Step Four: Estimating the Cost
If we are unable to quote an exact fee, we will provide clients with a minimum to maximum range or an hourly rate for a range of hours. Years of personal experience in this area has enabled us to make accurate estimates based on face-to-face IME time, testing requirements, time to review records, and time to score any tests that have been administered.
- Step Five: Individualized IME Report Writing Guidelines
Assuring the professional integrity of an IME report is a key component of a vendor's IME process. To help meet this challenge, FHIPA guidelines are individualized according to both the professional specialty and the type of insurance involved.
- Step Six: IME Referral Questions Assistance
While the customer always has the final say on referral questions, most appreciate professional vendor assistance in preparing them. At FHIPA we never use crude "boiler plate" questions as their generic nature renders them grossly inadequate in mental and nervous cases.
FHIPA works with clients to translate insurance policy issues into objective, clinically formulated questions that examiners can fully address without leading questions or an appearance of bias.
- Step Seven: Reviewing the IME Report
A draft copy of each IME report is reviewed by a professional peer before it is signed and submitted to the insurer. IME reports must conform to FHIPA standards and guidelines, refrain from issuing clinical opinions outside of specialty areas, and also address any specific IME questions and issues submitted for consideration by the referral source.
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"Twenty-One Questions to Ask Your IME Vendor"
If you're responsible for scheduling an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) or choosing an IME vendor, we recommend obtaining a free copy of "Twenty-One Questions to Ask Your IME Vendor". For answers to frequently asked questions on psychiatry, psychology, and neuropsychology, visit our FAQs page.
For more information on FHIPA IME and peer review services, or if have a case you wish to discuss, simply pick up the phone and give us a call at (888) 779-2524.
Sincerely,
Leonard Grossman Ph.D.,
President, The Forest Hills IPA Inc.
Diplomate, The American Board of Forensic Examiners
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