MedCo: New rules and audit process for direct medical experts
The Ministry of Justice sought views on new rules and audit processes for medical experts wishing to provide medical reports to unrepresented claimants.
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Government response
Following the implementation of the whiplash reforms in May 2021, MedCo’s role will be extended to cover all road traffic accident related personal injury claims valued at no more than £5,000. To ensure that direct medical experts (DMEs) opting-in to provide medical reports to unrepresented claimants have sufficient resources, customer service processes and capacity, MOJ undertook a survey between 16 March and 1 April 2020 to seek views on new rules for DMEs. The document published today (25 February 2021) provides an analysis of the responses received along with a copy of the new rules.
DMEs opting-in to provide reports to unrepresented claimants will need to undertake an audit interview against the new rules and details on how to opt in and of the audit process will be published shortly. A response to a similar survey for medical reporting organisations on new qualifying criteria has also been published on GOV.UK.
Survey
The government remains committed to ensuring that all those who will provide medical reports to unrepresented claimants are competent with efficient and transparent consumer protection policies in place. Given their likely unfamiliarity with the medical reporting process, unrepresented claimants will require confidence that the medical report provider they select can demonstrate satisfactory standards and good customer service practices.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has therefore issued a targeted stakeholder survey for direct medical experts (DMEs) wishing to opt-in to provide medical reports to unrepresented claimants, following the implementation of the whiplash reforms on 1 August 2020. MOJ has worked closely with MedCo to develop new rules for DMEs which will ensure that they operate to a high standard.
These rules only apply to DMEs, but responses from all MedCo users are welcome. To take part in the survey, please download and read the revised rules and then complete the online survey or email a completed questionnaire to whiplashcondoc@justice.gov.uk.
Further information on the changes to the medical reporting process following the implementation of the whiplash reform programme can be found in the Future Provision of Medical Reports consultation and government response.
Last updated 25 February 2021 + show all updates
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Government response published.
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First published.