Any claims examiner, rater or even the injured worker is allowed to
make a correction to a miscalculated impairment when properly
supported by the reported findings of the MMI report.
The 5th Edition of the AMA Guides defines the standard methods the evaluator must
follow to measure the objective manifestations of impairment when considering both
anatomic and functional loss. If the medical evaluator provides a miscalculation of
impairment and the body of the medical report supports and includes objective
clinical criteria that would support a higher or lower impairment, the AMA Guides
allows any knowledgeable observer to adjust the reported impairment accordingly.
--AMA Guides 5th Edition, Chapter 2, pg 17
The AMA Guides mandates that the final WPI be based on the method that gives the
highest and most clinically accurate impairment rating when properly supported by
measurable objective factors.
We have provided consultative rating services to the WC Community for more than
30 years. Since 2005, we have rated more than 8,500 medical reports under the
AMA Guides and have found 89% of those reports to provide an incorrect
impairment analysis.
It is our responsibility to go beyond the page that provides the AMA Analysis. When
requested to provide a Disability Rating, we rate the entire medical report. Not just
the physician's AMA analysis.
When we correct the analysis and provide a recommended rating, we stay within the
boundaries of the medical report's objective impairment factors, even on those
occasions in which we address other impairment factors, tables, etc., completely
ignored by the physician.
make a correction to a miscalculated impairment when properly
supported by the reported findings of the MMI report.
The 5th Edition of the AMA Guides defines the standard methods the evaluator must
follow to measure the objective manifestations of impairment when considering both
anatomic and functional loss. If the medical evaluator provides a miscalculation of
impairment and the body of the medical report supports and includes objective
clinical criteria that would support a higher or lower impairment, the AMA Guides
allows any knowledgeable observer to adjust the reported impairment accordingly.
--AMA Guides 5th Edition, Chapter 2, pg 17
The AMA Guides mandates that the final WPI be based on the method that gives the
highest and most clinically accurate impairment rating when properly supported by
measurable objective factors.
We have provided consultative rating services to the WC Community for more than
30 years. Since 2005, we have rated more than 8,500 medical reports under the
AMA Guides and have found 89% of those reports to provide an incorrect
impairment analysis.
It is our responsibility to go beyond the page that provides the AMA Analysis. When
requested to provide a Disability Rating, we rate the entire medical report. Not just
the physician's AMA analysis.
When we correct the analysis and provide a recommended rating, we stay within the
boundaries of the medical report's objective impairment factors, even on those
occasions in which we address other impairment factors, tables, etc., completely
ignored by the physician.
| PD Ratings can be requested by email via Online Rating Service Request Form And the medical report can be emailed as an attachment to pdrating@att.net Or use the Hard Copy Service Request Form in WORD format And fax medical reports to (415) 276-3741 |
PD RATING SERVICES
Impairment-As-Reported Rating: Request this rating service when a rating formula of impairment as
reported in the medical report is needed, but no analysis is required. A rating will be given with only
corrections to mathematical miscalculations of impairment and to incorrect interpolation of Table
figures. Formulas abide to 05PDRS / 97PDRS rating, modifiers & combination guidelines.
Basic Rating: Disability Formulas based on the Evaluating Physician's Reported Impairment
calculations with adjustments under either the 2005PDRS or 97PDRS, with only corrections to
mathematical miscalculations of impairment and to incorrect interpolation of Table impairment
figures. If the Medical Report does not comply with AMA Guides, 5th Edition criteria or 2005 PDRS,
we will request your authority by email to provide a Comprehensive Rating Analysis.
Comprehensive Rating Analysis: Verifies impairment ratings comply with AMA Guides criteria &
2005 PDRS. Corrects misapplications of the AMA Guides Rating Criteria and corrects
miscalculations of Whole Person Impairment. Includes annotated corrections and easy-to-follow
verification tables that indicate proper medical findings for the given WPI present at MMI.
Converts AMA Scales to WPI. Adjusts WPI by PDRS modifiers: DFEC, Occupation & Age.
Combines multiple disabilities when applicable. Addresses causation / apportionment.
When a provisional rating is determined, requiring a supplemental report,
the analysis specifies information needed to be obtained from evaluating physician. Rating Example
Multifaceted Report Analysis or DEU / Private Rating Review: Addresses deficiencies and
inconsistencies of the medical report, the State or Private Rating according to established published
procedures - The Schedule for Rating Permanent Disabilities, The California Code of Regulations
and the AMA Guides, 5th Edition.
Includes formulas for all ratable factors and specifies additional information required by evaluating
physician to address to make the medical report ratable. Comparative & Recommended Formulas
Included. 05PDRS & Prior Schedules.
Medical File / Multiple P&S Evaluations Rating: Formulas after consideration of duplication /
pyramiding / overlap among all factors of disability within the multiple evaluations. Comparative &
Recommended Formulas Included. (Four or more Medical Reports).
Almaraz/Guzman Impairment Analysis: Provides disability Formulas for both the correct AMA Guides
Rating and the alternative impairment ratings under Almaraz-Guzman. Considers Duplication among
all Impairments within the multiple evaluations for different body organs / systems. Addresses
deficiencies & inconsistencies of the report, the correct rating under the AMA Guides or the alternative
rating to the AMA Guides 5th Edition.
AMA Impairment Analysis for Texas, Nevada & Utah: Reported findings are checked with the
appropriate Guides Edition rating criteria to determine that proper calculation of impairment has been
made. Includes corrections of WPI miscalculations & addresses misapplications of Guides Rating
Criteria. Also includes annotated corrections and easy-to-follow verification tables that indicate proper
medical findings for the given WPI present at MMI. AMA Impairment Analysis (Other States)
Impairment-As-Reported Rating: Request this rating service when a rating formula of impairment as
reported in the medical report is needed, but no analysis is required. A rating will be given with only
corrections to mathematical miscalculations of impairment and to incorrect interpolation of Table
figures. Formulas abide to 05PDRS / 97PDRS rating, modifiers & combination guidelines.
Basic Rating: Disability Formulas based on the Evaluating Physician's Reported Impairment
calculations with adjustments under either the 2005PDRS or 97PDRS, with only corrections to
mathematical miscalculations of impairment and to incorrect interpolation of Table impairment
figures. If the Medical Report does not comply with AMA Guides, 5th Edition criteria or 2005 PDRS,
we will request your authority by email to provide a Comprehensive Rating Analysis.
Comprehensive Rating Analysis: Verifies impairment ratings comply with AMA Guides criteria &
2005 PDRS. Corrects misapplications of the AMA Guides Rating Criteria and corrects
miscalculations of Whole Person Impairment. Includes annotated corrections and easy-to-follow
verification tables that indicate proper medical findings for the given WPI present at MMI.
Converts AMA Scales to WPI. Adjusts WPI by PDRS modifiers: DFEC, Occupation & Age.
Combines multiple disabilities when applicable. Addresses causation / apportionment.
When a provisional rating is determined, requiring a supplemental report,
the analysis specifies information needed to be obtained from evaluating physician. Rating Example
Multifaceted Report Analysis or DEU / Private Rating Review: Addresses deficiencies and
inconsistencies of the medical report, the State or Private Rating according to established published
procedures - The Schedule for Rating Permanent Disabilities, The California Code of Regulations
and the AMA Guides, 5th Edition.
Includes formulas for all ratable factors and specifies additional information required by evaluating
physician to address to make the medical report ratable. Comparative & Recommended Formulas
Included. 05PDRS & Prior Schedules.
Medical File / Multiple P&S Evaluations Rating: Formulas after consideration of duplication /
pyramiding / overlap among all factors of disability within the multiple evaluations. Comparative &
Recommended Formulas Included. (Four or more Medical Reports).
Almaraz/Guzman Impairment Analysis: Provides disability Formulas for both the correct AMA Guides
Rating and the alternative impairment ratings under Almaraz-Guzman. Considers Duplication among
all Impairments within the multiple evaluations for different body organs / systems. Addresses
deficiencies & inconsistencies of the report, the correct rating under the AMA Guides or the alternative
rating to the AMA Guides 5th Edition.
AMA Impairment Analysis for Texas, Nevada & Utah: Reported findings are checked with the
appropriate Guides Edition rating criteria to determine that proper calculation of impairment has been
made. Includes corrections of WPI miscalculations & addresses misapplications of Guides Rating
Criteria. Also includes annotated corrections and easy-to-follow verification tables that indicate proper
medical findings for the given WPI present at MMI. AMA Impairment Analysis (Other States)
| California Workers Compensation Impairment-to-Disability PD Ratings |
| Luis Pérez-Cordero PD Rating Specialist CV & Continuing Education |
| Craig A. Lange PD Rating Specialist email: craigalange@att.net |
| Voice (415) 861-4040 Fax (415) 276-3741 |
| email: pdrating@att.net |
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| AMA Guides & California Permanent Disability Combined Values Chart |
| New Service: SAWW Commutation Calculations - PD & Life Pension |
| If you are an Injured Worker: The DWC Information and Assistance Unit provides information and assistance to employees, employers, insurance companies, attorneys and other interested parties concerning rights, benefits and obligations under California's workers' compensation laws. |
| Occupational Groups Characteristics: The Significance of 3 Digit Numbers |
| Occupation Group Numbers List From 110 to 590 with Occupations in Alphabetical Order |