6.2.2.6 Independent impairment assessment

WIRC s201(1)(b)
AC s104B(2)(b)
WIRC s54(1)
AC s91(1)

For all impairment benefit claims, the Impairment Specialist A suitably qualified person at the agent or self-insurer, such as an IB Specialist or WPI specialist, who is responsible for managing the end-to-end impairment determination process for workers in accordance with the requirements of the legislation. Suitably qualified means at a minimum, having completed AMA4 Guides training and applied those Guides at an operational level must arrange for the worker to be medically examined by an independent impairment assessor (IIA Independent impairment assessment) to assess the level of permanent impairment. The whole person impairment percentage assessed by the IIA is used to determine and calculate the compensation amount for the claimed injury.

The IIA must:

  • have successfully completed the Ministerially approved training course in the application of the AMA American Medical Association 4th Edition Guides and be listed by WorkSafe as an independent impairment assessor (IIA)

  • provide an assessment of impairment in line with the AMA 4th Edition Guides and in line with operational guidelines (if any) as to the use of those Guides or methods issued by the Minister.

For claims lodged on or after 18/11/04 - if liability cannot be determined for one or more injuries the Agent may refer to a 'dual purpose examiner'.

Pain is not assessed due to its subjective nature. Capacity is also not assessed, as WPI Whole person impairment focuses on loss of function or movement rather than capacity.

See: Find an IIA, HLA Hearing loss assessment or dual purpose examiner

Note: The AMA Guides are not a reference tool but a mandatory measure required by the Act.

See: Impairment assessments

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Process

Follow these steps to arrange an independent impairment assessment.

By Action
Agent

Select an IIA

If liability is undetermined when arranging impairment examinations an IME medical opinion may be required to assist in the liability determination, Impairment Specialists are recommended to arrange a ‘dual purpose’ examination with a medical examiner who is both a WorkSafe acknowledged IIA and a WorkSafe approved independent medical examiner.

Provide full background information

The Impairment Specialist is required to provide the IIA full background information and proper instructions for producing a valid impairment assessment. This is a detailed and technical process which requires the Impairment Specialist to have completed specialist training.

Be aware of additional information

The Impairment Specialist needs to be aware of additional information and protocols.

See: Assessment methods | Find an IIA, HLA or dual purpose examine
Independent impairment assessor

For injuries from 12/11/97 to 02/12/03

The IIA:

  • examines the worker and provides an IIA report for the Agent
  • must provide in the report:
  • a percentage whole person impairment for injuries referred to the examiner
  • an opinion as to whether the worker has a total loss injury mentioned in the no disadvantage compensation table
  • a calculation of whole person impairment that includes the impairment value for any injury which the doctor considers is a total loss injury and excludes the impairment value for the injury that is a total loss injury
    • WIRC s203(2)
    AC s104B(5)

  • should disregard any impairment from pre-existing or unrelated injuries or causes.
    • WIRC s53(2)
    AC s91(7)

For injuries on or after 03/12/03

The IIA:

  • examines the worker and provide an IIA report for the Agent
  • must provide in the report:
  • a percentage whole person impairment for the injuries referred to the examiner
  • an opinion as to whether the worker has suffered a total loss injury mentioned in the no disadvantage compensation table
  • a combined whole person impairment for AMA4 Chapter 3 musculoskeletal injuries assessed, excluding the injuries which are considered a total loss mentioned in the no disadvantage compensation table
  • a combined whole person impairment for AMA4 Chapter 3 musculoskeletal injuries assessed, including the injuries which are considered a total loss mentioned in the no disadvantage compensation table
  • a combined whole person impairment for physical injuries assessed including the injuries which are considered a total loss mentioned in the no disadvantage compensation table
  • a combined whole person impairment for physical injuries assessed excluding the injuries which are considered a total loss mentioned in the no disadvantage compensation table
  • any psychiatric impairment has been assessed in accordance with The Guide to the Evaluation of Psychiatric Impairment for Clinicians
  • should disregard any impairment from pre-existing or unrelated injuries or causes.
WIRC s53(2)
AC s91(71)

For claims lodged on or after 18/11/04

The IIA who has been selected as a ‘dual purpose examiner’ must:

  • examines the worker and provide an IIA report for the Agent (as requested above)
  • only address requests for medical opinion about liability issues as provided to them in the letter of instruction from the Agent.

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