John A. Vallin, MD

Expertise in Independent Medical Exams (IMEs)

Record Reviews

Impairment, Disability & Chronic Pain Management

Dr. John A. Vallin MD & Terry Vallin

As an experienced consultant with a 28-year history of working in the medical practice profession, Dr. John A. Vallin is dedicated to improving healthcare, disability, and the claims process so that quality of care is delivered and accurate diagnoses are made based on evidence and science. Dr. John Vallin is skilled in spine, pain medicine, and non-operative orthopedics, and has expertise in the diagnostic workup, evaluation, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal, neurologic, and orthopedic disability as well as in the evaluation and management of chronic non-cancer pain.  This includes neck and low back pain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), upper and lower extremity injuries, repetitive strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other peripheral entrapment neuropathies. Dr. Vallin applies best practices using evidence-based medicine and current practice guidelines. Dr. Vallin brings an open mind to the claims process in an attempt to reach an accurate diagnosis, supported by up-to-date medical science, and assist stakeholders in adjudicating the claims process.

 

Dr. Vallin’s clients include workers’ compensation, nurse case managers, and third-party administrators. Dr. Vallin’s core values were developed over two decades performing thorough and objective analysis of cases employing current guidelines, evidence-based medicine and research. When requested, Dr. Vallin references both the 5th and 6th edition AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, AMA Guides to Evaluation of Disease and Injury Causation, as well as ACOEM, ODG, and Opioid Guidelines in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain, and available research data.

Dr. John Vallin is double board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine.  His background and training give Dr. Vallin the expertise required to evaluate and opine on musculoskeletal, neurological, and orthopedic disability, including diagnosis and management of acute and chronic pain.

Who Am I

About Dr. John Vallin

Dr. Vallin received his undergraduate degree in Biology from The Colorado College and his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. After finishing his General Surgery Internship, Dr. Vallin completed his residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Stanford University. Dr. Vallin is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Board Certified in Pain Medicine. After graduating from Stanford, Dr. Vallin practiced in Santa Rosa, California, and then moved to Bozeman, Montana, where he was a partner at Bridger Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Dr. John Vallin’s practice included the evaluation and management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal, neurologic, and orthopedic injuries. He also performed electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS) and interventional spinal injections. As part of his medical practice, Dr. Vallin performed Independent Medical Exams (IMEs), Impairment Ratings, Record Reviews, Evidence-based Medical Research, and disability assessments. Currently, Dr. Vallin lives in Boise, Idaho, and performs IMEs, Impairment Ratings with IMEs, Record Reviews, JAs, and Medical Research. Dr. Vallin also volunteers as a pain management consultant at Terry Reilly Health Services Clinics in Boise. In the Fall of 2018, Dr. John Vallin was appointed Assistant Professor in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) in Boise, ID.

Dr. John Vallin holds medical licenses in Montana and Idaho.

Outside of work, Dr. Vallin enjoys his family and friends, scuba diving, golfing, and travel. He is married and has a son and two daughters.

Dr. Vallin’s core values were developed over two decades performing thorough and objective analysis of cases employing current guidelines, evidence-based medicine and research.

How Can We Help You

{Services}

Dr. John Vallin is committed to working with claims personnel to assist them in understanding the medicine and science involved.

The purpose of an IME is to render an expert opinion pertaining to the diagnosis and causation of an injury, as well as prognosis and treatment alternatives. Dr. Vallin also assists in determining issues of medical causation from a forensic perspective and accurately assesses causation and apportionment, if applicable, by applying current medical knowledge, treatment guidelines, and evidence-based science. If a particular case requires analysis of a specific study, Dr. Vallin will cite the appropriate literature and provide his clients with references. Dr. Vallin reviews and provides opinions on a claimant's ability to return to his/her Time-of-Injury (TOI) Job or alternate position following review of Job Analyses (JA).

Dr. Vallin performs Record Reviews to assist his clients in evaluating claims. Record Reviews can provide claims personnel with the source of insight regarding claimed injuries, treatment, and the relationship regarding the causal nature of the claim. In addition to basic inquiries such as diagnosis and prognosis, Dr. Vallin objectively applies an analytical, evidence-based approach to the science.

Dr. Vallin performs Impairment Ratings (IR) within the scope of an IME. However, he can also assist the client in critically reviewing an IR performed by another provider to determine its accuracy based on the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Dr. Vallin is experienced in analyzing ratings that comply with the 5th and 6th edition Guides.

Determining the medical relatedness of an injury requires clinical analysis of a case by applying evidence-based medicine and treatment guidelines.

In my over three decades of clinical practice and consulting, I have learned, and I strongly believe, that my greatest value to clients arises from my objectivity and credibility. That means there will be cases where I agree with the treating providers and support the claims for ongoing and/or future medical care. This, from my client’s perspective, is a positive because it gives them the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are receiving a fair, impartial and objective analysis in every situation.

-Dr. John Vallin

Get In Touch

Contact {Us}

Contact Information

Email: jvallin@evalmedicine.com
Office Phone: 406.282.1168
Fax: 208.297.7061

 

Locations: Idaho

Boise, ID

1701 N. Regal Street
Boise, ID 83704

Idaho Falls, ID

222 S. Woodruff Ave
Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Locations: Montana

Bozeman, MT

Bridger Orthopedics West
3400 Laramie Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718

Butte, MT

Butte Physical Therapy
200 S. Clark
Butte, MT 59701

Helena, MT

Heuiser Physical Therapy
3336 North Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602

Kalispell, MT

Lakeside Clinic
2181 Hwy 2 East – Suite 7
Kalispell MT 59901

Missoula, MT

Valley Physical Therapy
1001 SW Higgins Ave – Suite 205
Missoula MT 59803

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