The DIME Transformation

DIME Transformation Information

The Division Independent Medical Examination (DIME) process was established to reduce litigation and provide an alternative way to address disputes involving Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and impairment in workers' compensation claims. Recent legislation has empowered the DOWC to enhance the administration of the DIME process. The DOWC is committed to engaging stakeholders, understanding current challenges, and collaboratively designing future improvements. Your input is crucial in this process.

Medical Records Packet Assembly and Review

Under Rule 11, the parties will submit raw medical records to the DOWC. A new DOWC system will then generate a clean packet using established criteria. The parties will receive three packets of files, including cleaned-up, original, and unused. These steps ensure an inclusive and streamlined process. Information security protocols will be established and observed at all times. These improvements are expected to reduce process delays, provide more consistent packets assembled with less effort, and ease the physician review process.

DIME Fees and Physician Pay

The requester must pay a flat fee of $1,000 to cover administrative costs, unless they qualify as an indigent claimant and are exempt from this fee. DIME services will be billed in 15-minute increments according to the hourly IME physician fees outlined in the Rule 18 Fee Schedule. Once the physician s billable hours exceed the initial $1,000, the respondent will be responsible for covering the costs of DIME services beyond this flat fee. The billable time begins once the DOWC confirms the physician and ends once the physician submits the report. The time spent to correct an incomplete or erroneous report is not billable. For Follow-Up DIMEs, payment will be the same as for original DIMEs, except paid entirely by the insurer or self-insured employer. Pursuing this path will provide closer alignment of DIME physician pay to Independent Medical Examination (IME) rates, assist physician recruitment and retention, and simplify the billing process.

Interpreter No-Show

The DOWC has made adjustments to rules related to interpreters. The certification, reimbursement, and cancellation provisions of Rule 18 will  apply to interpreting services provided during a DIME. Changes will also give options to the physician and the claimant if no interpreter is present at the DIME despite notice to the respondents of the necessity for an interpreter. Furthermore, the insurer will pay for rescheduling or non-compliance fees.

You may visit the Improvements to the DIME Process document to learn more.

2025 DIME Changes Webinar Materials

2025 DIME Changes Webinar Q&A Sheet

• The updated Rule 11: Division of Independent Medical Examination (DIME) is effective April 1, 2025, along with updates to seven key DIME forms. You can view all current forms by visiting the DOWC Forms page. The forms that have been updated are the Final Admission of Liability, Notice and Proposal and Application for a DIME, Notice of DIME Negotiations, Notice of Request for Follow-Up DIME, Notice of Reschedule of the DIME, Notice of Termination of the DIME, and Notice of Agreement to Limit the Scope of the DIME. Please note that you should continue to use the old versions of the WC200, WC198, and WC165 for any Notice and Proposal and Application dated prior to April 1. Archived versions of each form are available on Box.com. Finally, the WC199 termination form is now its own form. It had previously been part of the WC198. 
• The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC) is pleased to share that an updated Rule 11: Division Independent Medical Examination (DIME) has been adopted, effective April 1, 2025. The changes to Rule 11 are intended to further improve the efficiency and fairness of the DIME process and help retain DIME Physicians. To help streamline the process, the DOWC has contracted with a vendor to develop a modern system, which will allow the DOWC to generate medical record packets. This system represents a significant step forward in modernizing the DIME process, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, consistency, and improved service for all participants. The benefits of this system include faster processing times, reduced errors, and improved data security. You may visit the Improvements to the DIME Process document to learn more. In the coming months, additional resources and training opportunities will be shared via email. 
• The DOWC conducted a rule hearing on October 16, 2024.
• On August 15, 2024, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the DOWC hosted a meeting to discuss the preliminary draft of the updated Rule 11. This was not a rule hearing. The DOWC also made available a summary of the primary preliminary changes.