We at Integral are experiencing a significant impact on our day to day business the same as everyone else in this time, and we would like to provide you with this update on our status and procedures with regard to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The majority of our panel providers have chosen to cancel IMEs (independent medical examinations) that are scheduled for late March and early April, in an abundance of caution and for social distancing. Most are rescheduling for late April or early May, though some are taking a wait and see approach and not rescheduling at all for the time being. A few examinees have called to reschedule because of Corona virus but far more of our cancellations are from doctors canceling. The greatest concentration of these is in the New York Metropolitan area, though we are experiencing some cancellations everywhere.
Our company policy is to allow exams to take place if the provider and the examinee are willing and able to attend. For exams that are cancelled, we are rescheduling as soon as we can if possible, but best case scenario at this point is for rescheduled exams to take place in late April or early May.
We are also in the process of setting up additional exclusive IME sessions to take place at a time after the current crisis has abated, to alleviate the backlog of IMEs.
We are still able to perform Record Reviews with any specialty and in any turnaround timeframe for situations where a Record Review may suffice to substitute for an in-person IME (e.g., to comment on a treatment authorization request).
As far as our internal staffing, at present everyone on our internal staff who can work remotely is working remotely. We have fewer than ten people remaining working in our physical offices and we have instituted procedures to reduce the risk of transmittal between those employees.
We continue to be fully staffed and operational and we want to assure you that we are still present and available to provide service on your cases.
If you have any further questions please feel free to email [email protected] or call our office at 631.264.1300.