For Insurers:
Section 1: Services Related to Insurance Claims
Obtain psychological or psychiatric reports, and/or raw psychological test data from treating doctors.
To save you time and frustration, PsyBar will attempt to obtain psychological/psychiatric reports and raw psychological test scores.
File review, written by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
PsyBar can provide these both for claimants with psychiatric/ psychological problems only, and for “co-morbid” cases involving medical problems such as fibromyalgia and orthopedic injuries.
Independent Psychiatric, Psychological or Neuropsychological Evaluation
Performed by a doctoral level psychologist, neuropsychologist, or a psychiatrist.
Our staff can work with you to help determine the proper professional areas of expertise (e.g. clinical psychologist Ph.D. versus MD versus neuropsychologist expert) to perform the evaluation. In most cases objective psychological testing is performed to support the doctors’ conclusions with objective data. PsyBar staff also take steps to ensure that reports are done in a consistent format, with the appropriate topics covered during the examinations.
All reports are reviewed by doctors for clarity and completeness.
Typically, independent evaluations take place within two to three weeks of the date of referral, with a final report delivered ten business days thereafter. Our doctors generally follow our comprehensive report format. (View an abbreviated version of this outline.) This outline can be customized according to individual customer needs.
Neuropsychological Screening
This relatively short evaluation is designed to determine whether there is evidence of cognitive problems that can be detected with just a few neuropsychological tests. It provides a provisional diagnosis, description of cognitive deficits, treatment recommendations, and a brief discussion of claimant limitations.
Brief Psychological or Psychiatric Evaluation designed for STD claimants.
These brief assessments are designed solely to determine claimant diagnosis, prognosis, and to give suggestions about how treatment might better facilitate return to work. These assessments are not designed to evaluate employee functionality and do not include a neuropsychological assessment. They include a review of up to 20 pages of medical records.
Brief Employability Assessment
Used to match claimant abilities to jobs and occupations. This is written by a master’s level Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to complement your IME report. This very short addendum to an IME will include an opinion about the claimant’s ability to transfer their skills to potential jobs/occupations. Because this opinion is based solely upon the IME doctor’s report and a functional capacities form filled out at the treating and/or IME doctor’s office, cost is much lower than that of a Full Employability Assessment.
Full Employability Assessment
Used to match claimant abilities to jobs and occupations. This is a thorough analysis conducted by a master’s level Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. The report will include an overview of relevant portions of the file, education and work history, current medical status, functional abilities and restrictions, the work tolerance level and functional abilities/limitations, a transferable skills analysis and , if identified, appropriate jobs/occupations for the employee.
Labor Market Survey
Written by a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. If it has been determined that an individual can perform one or more jobs/occupations, a Labor Market Survey may be conducted to determine whether jobs/occupations identified through an Employability Assessment (above) exist within the claimant’s geographic area. The LMS will provide details about whether the specific job(s) reside, how many of them exist, if special training, licensure or education is required, what work experience is needed, and the potential salary range and benefits. Additionally, it will include the type of work environment, physical demands and general schedules that the employee would be expected to tolerate.
Critique of a psychological or psychiatric evaluation/peer review written by a doctoral level expert.
Click here to see more information on our critique services.
If you receive a report conducted by a treating or other doctor that is difficult to interpret or of questionable quality, PsyBar can review it to help facilitate your claim decision. We can help you decipher the doctor’s statements, and determine whether the doctor’s opinions are supportable.
Section 2: Free On-line Educational Services
Education for Claims Professionals
The Commission for Case Manager Certification has approved PsyBar's on-line training program for those managing psychological/psychiatric claims. This program (approved for 3 continuing education credits) will help insurance professionals resolve claim issues quickly by effectively understanding the complexities of psychological and psychiatric Independent Medical Evaluations.