What is an independent medical exam and do I have to go?

Despite the name, it's an examination arranged and paid for by the insurance company, with a physician the insurer chooses.

Why insurers order them. To obtain an opinion that further treatment isn't reasonable, related, or necessary — which supports terminating benefits. That's the ordinary purpose.

Attendance is generally required. Florida's PIP statute conditions benefits on cooperating with reasonable requests, and unreasonable failure to attend can result in benefits being cut off.

What to know going in. The examination is often brief. The report is frequently far more detailed than the encounter suggests. Everything you say and do is observed, including in the parking lot — surveillance around these appointments is not unusual.

Practical guidance: be accurate and consistent, describe your symptoms without exaggerating or minimizing, don't guess at answers, and tell counsel about the notice before you go.

Report cutoffs based on these examinations are common and they're challengeable.