John Schmidt, D.C.
- Licensed chiropractic physician since 1989
- Former licensed insurance adjuster
- Certified in the performance of impairment ratings since 1997
- Certified instructor of the AMA Guides, 3rd edition revised and 4th edition, for state appointed doctors in Texas and California since 1998 – 2004
- Instructor for AMA Guide Certification courses approved by Tufts University School of Medicine and Texas Chiropractic College
- President and founder of the National Chiropractic Association
- Has performed thousands of Physical Performance Tests (PPT), Functional Capacity Exams (FCE’s) and Impairment Ratings
- Approved continuing education provider on the application of the AMA Guides, 5th Edition
- Approved continuing education provider for Physical Performance Testing (PPT)
- Approved continuing education provider for dynamic and static sEMG (PPT)
- Expert medical witness on matter relating to coding, compliance and documentation in physical medicine and chiropractic (PPT)
We accept:
- PIP
- Med-pay
- Liens/letter of protection
- Validate the existence of injuries using the latest technology and methods in accordance to the AMA Guides
- Document functional loss and subsequent improvement
- Refute bogus peer reviews and insurance company examinations
- Accurate impairment ratings for accident victims once they reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
- Perform valid independent examinations of injured individuals
- Provide expert witness testimony on injury cases when necessary
Insurance company peer review doctors are hired to protect the interests of the insurance company. Insurance peer reviewers look for three primary things – duration of care, type of treatment and frequency of visits.
Here is a list of what peer reviewers look for:
- Did the treating doctor over code or under document the initial exam?
- Was the treatment medically necessary?
- Was the treatment indicated according to the diagnosis?
- Was treatment effectiveness documented utilizing objective outcome measures?
- Is treatment duration appropriate?
- Is the final impairment rating accurate?
The Effect of Impairment Ratings on Injury Cases
Most insurance companies use software such as Colossus, XM, TEACH to help determine the settlement value of their personal injury cases. In each of these programs, an impairment is the largest value driver, second only to the diagnosis. An adjuster will not enter an impairment rating if it is not in the medical records and demand letter. The impairment will be disregarded if it done incorrectly.
Dynamic sEMG is performed using a patented, FDA cleared device for measuring muscle spasm manufactured by MyoVision.
At ImpairMasters, we use the MyoVision device is because it is featured on page 45 of the AMA book The Practical Guide to Range of Motion Assessment.
Dynamic sEMG can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or concurrently with range of motion using dual inclinometers, called Dyna-ROM.
The Dyna-ROM system measures both muscle firing and active motion while a person is actively moving.
Dyna-ROM testing is helpful in determining an initial baseline and how much a patient progresses throughout treatment.
The Dyna-ROM validates injuries by using objective data that demonstrates that an injury has occurred to the regional muscles, even in cases where range of motion values are within normal limits.
The Dyna-ROM also helps to refute insurance company exams that claim that a person has normal motion and therefore is not injured.
Refer your patients to ImpairMasters for a Dyna-ROM test so that your patients injuries can be objectively documented throughout care.
Physical Performance Testing
Physical Performance Testing consists of obtaining initial baseline measures that can be reevaluated periodically. These tests consist of:
- Outcome assessment tools (Oswestry, Neck Disability Index)
- Range of Motion
- Muscle Testing
- Sensory Testing
Physical Performance Testing helps to validate injuries using objective data that demonstrates a loss of function.
One of the most common reasons used by peer reviewers to deny claims is because of a lack of objective testing on a periodic basis.
Refer your patients to ImpairMasters for a thorough Physical Performance Test so that your patient’s functional performance can be objectively documented throughout care.
X-Ray Digitizing
Ligament laxity is evident is about 35% to 45% of all whiplash cases. There are two (2) types of ligament laxity, angulation and translation.
X-Ray Digitizing objectively demonstrates ligament laxity of the spine using the standards determined by White and Panjabi and the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition.
X-Ray Digitizing is necessary to determine the presence of ligament laxity.
Refer your patients to ImpairMasters for X-Ray Digitizing so that your patient’s functional performance can be objectively documented throughout care.
All studies are performed by a physician who is an expert is analyzing and explaining the findings of these studies.
