Attorney FAQ

Every Question
Attorneys Actually Ask

What happens after I refer? How fast is the report? What if the IME contradicts treatment? Who do I call? Answered here, plainly.

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01

The Referral Process

Within 2 hours of submission, two things happen simultaneously: your assigned liaison contacts you to confirm receipt and provides a case reference number, and MAIC's intake team contacts the patient directly to schedule their evaluation.

You don't need to coordinate the appointment. We handle all patient communication from the moment the referral comes in. You'll receive a confirmation with the scheduled appointment date and time before end of day.

Referrals submitted before 2pm: Same-day scheduling is standard. After 2pm: Patient is contacted and scheduled for first-available the following morning.

The fastest method is through the Attorney Referral Portal at metropolitanaic.com/portal. The form takes under 3 minutes and captures everything we need to schedule, bill, and document the case correctly from day one.

You can also refer by calling your liaison directly, or by calling the main line at (718) 555-0000. However, the portal is recommended — it generates a case reference number instantly and ensures nothing is missed on intake.

The more we have up front, the faster we can move. The essentials:

  • Patient name, phone number, and date of birth
  • Date and type of accident (MVA, slip & fall, workplace, etc.)
  • No-fault insurance carrier and claim number (if available)
  • Chief complaints / areas of pain
  • Your firm name and direct contact for the liaison to reach

Claim and policy numbers can be added later if not yet available — they don't delay scheduling. We'll work with what we have and follow up on missing information directly with your client.

Yes. Many clients come to MAIC after being seen at urgent care, an emergency room, or another provider. We'll document their current presentation, obtain prior records where possible, and build a complete clinical picture from this point forward.

If there's a gap in care between their initial injury and their first MAIC visit, we document and address that in the initial evaluation — which is important for both treatment and litigation purposes.

02

Documentation & Reports

Every MAIC evaluation report is built for litigation from day one — not a clinical note reformatted for attorneys after the fact. Standard components include:

  • Causation narrative — direct linkage between the accident mechanism and documented injuries
  • Functional loss assessment — measurable impact on activities of daily living
  • Objective findings summary — physical exam, imaging reads, and test results in plain language
  • Treatment plan and medical necessity justification — supports ongoing care authorization
  • Prognosis and permanency statement — where clinically supportable

All reports are signed and certified by the treating physician. Imaging reads (MRI, X-ray) are included as part of the complete case package.

Reports are delivered however you prefer. At the time of your first referral, your liaison will confirm your preferred delivery method. Options include:

  • Secure email (encrypted PDF)
  • Fax to your firm's number on file
  • Physical mail (for firms that require paper records)

Regardless of delivery method, your liaison proactively notifies you the moment a report is ready — you won't need to call and ask.

Yes. As a case progresses — new symptoms present, treatment escalates, or deposition preparation requires updated clinical documentation — MAIC physicians can produce supplemental reports and addenda on request.

Contact your liaison with the specific clinical update or legal context needed. Supplemental reports follow the same 24-48 hour turnaround standard as initial reports.

03

Timelines & SLAs

These are the commitments the entire MAIC operations team is held accountable to — not aspirational targets:

CommitmentClock StartsTarget
Liaison confirmation to attorneyReferral submitted≤ 2 Hours
Patient first contactReferral received≤ 2 Hours
Initial evaluation scheduledReferral receivedSame Day / Next AM
Visit summary to attorneyFirst appointmentSame Day
Full report deliveryTest completion≤ 24 Hours
IME rebuttal letterIME received by MAIC≤ 5 Business Days
No-show alert to attorneyMissed appointment flagged≤ 2 Hours
Weekly status reportEvery MondayStanding
If we miss a turnaround commitment, your liaison is required to proactively notify you with an explanation and revised ETA — before you have to ask.

Within 2 hours of a missed appointment, two things happen: your liaison notifies you directly, and MAIC's intake team begins outreach to the patient to reschedule.

We make three documented contact attempts within 24 hours. If the patient reschedules, you're notified immediately. If we cannot reach the patient within 48 hours, your liaison escalates to you with the contact log so your firm can intervene if needed.

Treatment gaps matter to cases — we take missed appointments as seriously as you do.

04

Your Liaison

At the time of your first referral, a named liaison is assigned to your firm. That liaison is your point of contact for every case you refer — not a rotation, not whoever picks up the phone. You'll receive their name, direct mobile number, and email.

If your liaison is unavailable, a designated backup handles communication and maintains continuity on your active cases. Your liaison is accountable for keeping the backup fully briefed.

Everything related to your referred cases. Common requests include:

  • Appointment scheduling, rescheduling, or cancellation
  • Status updates on active cases and pending reports
  • Requesting supplemental documentation or addenda
  • IME rebuttal initiation and status
  • Insurance and billing questions on a specific case
  • Questions about test results or clinical findings
  • Coordination for deposition prep or trial documentation needs

Your liaison is not a general information line. They are a case manager for your active referrals — anything case-related is in scope.

Every Monday morning, your liaison sends a status report covering all active cases referred by your firm. Each case entry includes:

  • Patient name and case reference number
  • Last visit date and next scheduled appointment
  • Pending tests or imaging and expected completion
  • Reports delivered in the prior week
  • Any open items requiring attorney attention

The report is formatted for quick review — the goal is that you can scan it in under 5 minutes and know the status of every open case.

05

IME & Insurance Disputes

Independent Medical Examinations — conducted by physicians hired by the insurance carrier — frequently contradict treating physicians' findings. MAIC does not let those contradictions go unanswered.

When notified of an IME (by you or the patient), your liaison coordinates a formal rebuttal letter from the treating physician. The letter includes:

  • Point-by-point clinical response to the IME's findings
  • Peer-reviewed literature supporting MAIC's treatment decisions
  • Updated objective findings from the most recent evaluation
  • Physician signature and certification
Turnaround: IME rebuttal letters are delivered within 5 business days of the IME report being received by MAIC. Notify your liaison immediately when an IME is scheduled so we can prepare in advance.

Denials are challenged, not accepted. MAIC's billing and clinical teams initiate a formal appeal for every denial where the treatment is medically supported — which is the standard for everything we prescribe.

Your liaison notifies you of any denial within 24 hours of MAIC receiving it, along with the grounds cited and MAIC's planned response. You are kept in the loop at every stage of the appeal process.

Yes. MAIC treating physicians are available for deposition and, where necessary, trial testimony. Coordinate through your liaison — they will confirm availability, scheduling, and any required preparation materials with the physician directly.

We recommend requesting deposition coordination at least 3 weeks in advance where possible to allow adequate scheduling flexibility.

06

Insurance & Billing

MAIC accepts all major no-fault insurance carriers, workers' compensation, and medical payment (MedPay) coverage. For cases without active insurance coverage, MAIC can discuss medical lien arrangements on a case-by-case basis — contact your liaison to discuss specific circumstances.

  • No-Fault (PIP): All major carriers — Allstate, Geico, Progressive, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, and others
  • Workers' Compensation: NYS Workers' Compensation Board authorized
  • Medical Lien: Available for qualifying PI cases — discuss with liaison

In most PI cases, no. New York No-Fault insurance covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses — enough to cover comprehensive evaluation and treatment at MAIC for the vast majority of cases without any out-of-pocket cost to the patient.

If a client's No-Fault coverage is exhausted, MAIC works with referring attorneys on lien arrangements. We are not in the business of turning away injured patients because of billing complications.

No. MAIC bills the patient's applicable insurance — No-Fault, Workers' Comp, or MedPay. Attorney firms are not billed for any clinical services, report generation, or liaison support. IME rebuttal letters and supplemental documentation are provided as part of the standard attorney partnership — there are no separate fees.

07

Getting Started

The simplest start: send us three cases. No commitment, no formal onboarding process, no paperwork. Submit three referrals through the portal and evaluate us on the results — speed of scheduling, quality of documentation, and communication from your liaison.

If you prefer to speak with someone first, you can request a 10-minute introductory call with Dr. Sadovnik or the liaison team through the portal. We'll walk you through our process, answer any questions specific to your firm's needs, and you can decide from there.

Most attorneys who refer three cases refer a fourth within the same week. We'd rather let the work speak than spend time convincing you.

No formal agreement is required to begin referring cases. MAIC operates on demonstrated performance — attorneys refer, we deliver, the relationship builds. There is no exclusivity requirement and no minimum referral volume.

For high-volume partners who want formalized reporting schedules, custom documentation formats, or dedicated liaison staffing, those arrangements can be discussed with Dr. Sadovnik directly.

Three options:

  • Submit a referral via the portal at metropolitanaic.com/portal — your liaison will contact you within 2 hours
  • Call the main line: (718) 555-0000 — Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm
  • Email the attorney team: [email protected]

If you've already been assigned a liaison, contact them directly on their mobile — that's what the direct line is for.

Still Have Questions?

Your Liaison Has
All the Answers

Submit a referral and your assigned liaison will follow up within 2 hours. That first call answers everything the FAQ doesn't.

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