Maximum Medical Improvement

Define Maximum Medical Improvement

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is reached when an injured person “reaches the maximum benefit from medical treatment or is as far restored as the permanent character of his injuries will permit and/or the current limits of medical science will permit.” [20 Miss. Code. R. § 2-VI]. It is the point at which the person’s condition stabilizes and they are not expected to improve or recover further. However, that person may still need continued care for managing symptoms or maintaining their current state of health. 

MMI is important in legal terms because it is a determining factor in the extent of compensation or benefits that an injured person may receive. Once a person’s health has plateaued and they have reached MMI, benefits typically stop. This is true in workers’ compensation cases, where temporary benefits are provided to an injured worker until MMI is reached. If they are no longer too injured to work, all benefits may stop. If they are still too impaired or disabled, they may need to switch to long-term disability benefits. 

As a general rule, insurance companies typically stop paying for treatments if a doctor believes a condition can not improve. It is determined not only by medical knowledge, but if the person will be able to improve their ability to live their day-to-day life as well. When MMI is reached, the focus tends to shift from immediate medical coverage to seeking the potential compensation for whatever injury or illness occurred.