Correspondence
When our review finds that a rating is materially off, we can write
the letter that asks the physician to take another look.
The letter sets out what we found, cites the Guides sections at issue,
and asks for a supplemental report. Physicians who receive one issue a
supplemental about four times as often as those who don't.
It comes to you in Word so it goes out on your letterhead. Doctors
respond more readily to a letter from the carrier or from counsel than
from a third party, and you keep control of what gets sent and when.
When we write one
We write a letter when our corrected rating comes in meaningfully below
the physician's. On a treating physician report that means a difference
of 5 PD points or more. On a QME report, 8 points or more.
We don't recommend letters on AME reports. In our experience they're
the least likely to lead to a change.
If a case doesn't meet the threshold, there's no letter and no charge.
The numbers are in the review, so you can check.
Cost
$350, billed only when a letter is produced.
Addendum Reports
When the physician comes back with a supplemental, we review it the
same way we reviewed the original. Addendum reports are priced below a
full review, since the case is already in front of us.