ATTENTION ALL QME's IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY (California) (Califor

[appliedpsych]

All QME's in the specialty of Neuropsychology need to take action to comment on proposed ill-advised changes to QME rules.

The DWC is proposing ELIMINATING the Neuropsych specialty and allowing ALL QME's in Psychology to be assigned to this type of evaluation.

Page 6: Item 7 – Section 106. The Request for Qualified Medical Evaluator Panel –

This form is amended to delete “PSN Psychology – Clinical Neuropsychology” to conform to Labor Code section 139.2 as the California Medical Board does not recognize Clinical Neuropsychology as a specialty.

The QMEs listed in this specialty code will be merged into the existing code “PSY-Psychology.”

As those who work in this specialty know, it requires special training, experience and even test materials that are likely not even possessed by psychologists who do not practice in this specialty area.

All the U.S. Neuropsychology Specialty Boards clearly point out the special skills and abilities required to provide Neuropsychology evaluations.

I would think that either side who disagreed with a QME report by a non-specialist psychologist would have ample capability to suggest that a Neuropsychology evaluation by a psychologist who did not have the needed experience and training in Neuropsychology did not meet the criteria of Substantial Medical Evidence.

The full text is at this link"

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/DWCPropRegs/Q ... Notice.pdf

[jobmdpsych]

Why is there no neuropsychiatry specialty listed?

[jobmdpsych]

I agree with the logic of the bill...if neuropsychology is not an officially recognized boarded specialty, I don't see why it should be the only exception, especially since neuropsychiatry can't be listed.

I've been suggesting they go automated for about eight years or so...nice to see them catch up to modern technology. The slowdown in 2013 was ridiculous.

Or they could just go one extra step and get rid of the whole QME system altogether...who actually likes it at this point?