Under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, Section 12 (820 ILCS 305/12), an insurance company or employer has the right to request an IME. If an IME is requested, you are required to attend the examination or risk losing your workers' compensation benefits. However, the employer must pay for your travel expenses and other costs associated with the IME. You do not pay for the examination. To prepare for an IME, the insurance provider will typically gather your medical records and send them to the IME physician with any other information that the company wants the doctor to review.