Important Changes to Oregon IME Appointment Notices in Effect as of October 1, 2024
Have you updated the bold language and formatting in your Oregon IME appointment notice template? In case you missed it, the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division updated the language and formatting that must be used when issuing an IME appointment notice to an injured worker. These changes went into effect on October 1, 2024.
Under OAR 436-060-0095(e)(ii), the bold language in an IME appointment notice should now read as follows:
“You must attend this examination. If there is any reason you cannot attend, you must tell us as soon as possible before the date of the examination.
If you disagree with the location of this appointment, you must contact the Workers’ Compensation Division at 800-452-0288 or 503-947-7585 within six business days of the mailing date of this notice.
Your workers’ compensation benefits may be suspended under Oregon laws and rules* if you:
- Do not attend the examination,
- Do not have a good reason for not attending the examination, or
- Do not cooperate with the examination.
You may be charged a $100 penalty if you do not attend the examination without good reason or if you do not notify the insurer before the examination. The penalty is taken out of future benefits.
If you have any questions you may call:
- [Insurer] at [Insurer phone number]
- Workers’ Compensation Division at 800-452-0288 (toll free) or 503-947-7585
- Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers at 800-927-1271 (toll free)
*Oregon Revised Statute 656.325 and Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 436, division 60
If you haven’t already updated your forms, we recommend doing so as soon as possible. We here at SBH Legal are always available to review any IME appointment notices before they’re sent out to ensure the appropriate language is included. If you have any questions regarding this change, please do not hesitate to contact me at or 503-412-3111.
Posted by Elyse Waters.
