tests update

With NSW lifting restrictions on Monday the 11th of October and Victoria and the other States and Territories to follow suit soon, we would like to outline our requirements for face to face appointments.

Any examinee who fails to comply with the following requirements will be turned away and a cancellation fee will apply:

1. Case Managers must provide a Covid-19 vaccination certifcate a minimum of 3 days’prior to the assessment.
2. The claimant must bring this proof of vaccination with them to the assessment.
3. The claimant must also bring a current (no more than 48 hours old) negative COVID-19 test.
4. Caimants must be wearing an approved face mask and following guidlines.
5. Claimants must check in to the rooms using the QR Code or government approved manual sign-in.

No other person may attend the appointment with the claimant unless prior written approval from the Specialist is provided. If the claimant requires a carer / support person they must also comply with these requirements.

Staff at all our rooms will continue to comply with hygiene and the cleaning and wiping of surfaces as well.

You may be aware that I work with MAG as a Specialist Occupational Physician.

I also advise Boards and senior leaders within various corporate environments – insurance, legal, aviation, banking and professional services and mining industries to name a few – on a wide range of work-related topics.

The impact that COVID-19 is having on general workflow is unprecedented – including in the IME space in which we all currently operate – whereby the assessment methods have, until now, traditionally required face to face contact.

It’s important to MAG (and to all of us, really) that our business as usual is able to continue whilst there are wider discussions being held – and instructions starting to be given – around social distancing or isolation.

Having consulted with various MAG colleagues within a number of the specialties, we have quickly realised that MAG already has established methodology for the IME assessments to continue without the physical attendance of our claimants.

This methodology and the MAG solutions available not only appeases any concern we might have had about our own workflow; but will ably assist the referring clients in ensuring this important IME step within the claims process continues in a timely and seamless fashion.

The range of MAG solutions include video- and tele-conferencing capability which, with appropriate referral paperwork, is often is enough on its own.

Where there is an actual requirement for specific physical examination – or if this is something that is your personal or clinical requirement – then a modified functional capacity examination (FCE) can be completed by an attending physiotherapist or similar treating party.

This can be undertaken before the assessment with the FCE result then forming part of the LOI / attached referral paperwork. Alternatively, this can be undertaken at the time of the assessment with a present treating practitioner who will follow your instruction.

For me, it’s exciting to think that MAG has already considered these kinds of technological and process solutions which will allow us to keep working efficiently during these unusual times!

We’ll continue to keep you abreast of this developing scenario as more information comes to hand.