What Is a DIME in Colorado Workers’ Compensation? – If you’ve been injured at work in Colorado, at some point your treating doctor will determine that you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) — meaning you’re as healed as you’re going to get.
But what if you disagree? What if you feel that your treatment isn’t finished or your impairment rating is too low? In that case, you have the right to request a Division Independent Medical Exam, or DIME, through the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation.
A DIME is an independent evaluation performed by a doctor who has not treated you. This doctor is chosen through the Division, not your employer or the insurance company, to give an unbiased medical opinion about your condition and benefits.
When Should You Request a Division Independent Medical Exam?
There are several common reasons why an injured worker in Colorado might request a Division Independent Medical Exam (DIME) evaluation:
1. Ignored Body Part
If your doctor or the insurance company ignores part of your injury — for example, treating your shoulder but not your neck or back — a DIME can help you fight for full recognition of all your work-related injuries.
2. Denied Medical Care
If your treating doctor recommends treatment but the insurance company denies it, a DIME gives you the chance to challenge that denial and possibly get the care you need.
3. MMI Disagreement
If you believe you haven’t truly reached Maximum Medical Improvement, and there are still treatments that could help, you can use the DIME process to contest your MMI status.
4. Wrong Impairment Rating
If you think your impairment rating is too low due to errors — such as incomplete range-of-motion tests or missed injuries — a DIME can help correct those mistakes and increase your benefits.
How Much Does It Cost?
If you’re the one challenging your treating doctor’s opinion, you’ll usually have to pay for the DIME. The cost varies depending on how long you’ve been receiving treatment and how many body parts are being evaluated — typically between $1,000 and $2,000.
If you can’t afford it, you can submit an indigency application so that the insurance company pays for the DIME upfront. However, they can later recover that cost if you win additional benefits.
What Are The Risks: What You Need to Know
While most DIMEs help injured workers, there are risks involved. Around 70–80% of Kaplan Morrell’s clients who go through a DIME receive either more treatment or a higher impairment rating, but outcomes can vary.
Here are some possible downsides:
- The DIME doctor may find that part of your injury isn’t work-related, which can reduce your benefits.
- The doctor could decide you reached MMI earlier than your treating physician did, potentially causing an overpayment issue.
- The DIME might agree with your treating doctor’s findings, resulting in no change to your benefits.
- The DIME could even lower your impairment rating, which might reduce your payout.
Alternatives to a DIME
If you’re not ready to go through the DIME process, there are a few alternatives:
- If your injury is limited to an arm or leg, you can go directly before a workers’ compensation judge to dispute your impairment rating.
- If you injured your hip or shoulder, you can dispute the calculation formula in court without a DIME.
- Even after MMI, if your condition worsens naturally, you can request to reopen your case later.
Why a Is This Evaluation So Important
Colorado law gives significant weight to the DIME doctor’s opinion. In fact, judges must uphold it unless the opposing side can prove — by clear and convincing evidence — that the DIME doctor was wrong.
That’s a high legal standard, and over the past five years, judges have upheld 80% of DIME opinions. That’s why choosing the right time — and having the right legal guidance — is critical before starting the process.
How is the Doctor Chosen
The Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation provides a list of three qualified DIME doctors.
- You strike one name.
- The insurance company strikes another.
- The remaining doctor becomes your DIME evaluator.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you make strategic choices, knowing which doctors are fair, which have specific expertise, and how their professional relationships might affect your outcome.
We’re Here to Help
Navigating the workers’ compensation system in Colorado can be stressful and confusing — especially if English isn’t your first language or you’re unsure about your rights.
At Kaplan Morrell, we’ve helped hundreds of injured workers get the medical care and compensation they deserve. We offer free and confidential consultations, and we speak Spanish.
📞 Call or text us today at 970-356-9898 — we’re here to help you every step of the way.
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