The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has today published the outcome of its consultation “Revisions to the Medical Reporting Process for Road Traffic Accident Claims”.
You can read full details using the link below;
MedCo will work with the MoJ and stakeholders to help implement the changes and provide updates in due course. A summary of the key changes can be found below.
- Changes to the MedCo Qualifying Criteria
MedCo will work with MoJ to update the qualifying criteria for MROs, including reducing the required report capacity for tier 1 MROs from 40,000 to 28,000 per year, and reducing the number of active experts from 225 to 175.
- Amended DME Rules
MedCo will work with MoJ to implement the proposed changes to the DME rules and modify the wording around the role of the audit committee.
- Review of MedCo ‘Offer’
MedCo will work with MoJ to change the ‘offer’ for represented claimants. Represented claimants will be offered two tier 1 MROs, six tier 2 MROs and seven DMEs. Unrepresented claimants will continue to be offered two tier 1 MROs, two tier 2 MROs and five DMEs.
- Use of Administration Agencies by Direct Medical Experts
MedCo will work with MoJ to develop a range of QCs which fairly encompass the support activities of different types of AA before changes are made to the necessary secondary legislation.
- Review of Fixed Cost Medical Report
MoJ will increase the fixed cost medical report levels as outlined in this document and will consult on the required rule changes and new figures before implementation.
- Official Injury Claim: Medical report process
MedCo will work with MoJ to review and refine the MedCo Accreditation process and training, in line with stakeholder feedback. This is aimed at improving compliance with Parts 7.8 of the RTA PAP and 7.9 of the Small Claims PAP and improving the quality of MedCo medical reports generally. MoJ will amend the RTA Small Claims PAP and accompanying Practice Direction 27B to ensure represented claimants using the OIC system must receive the defendant’s response on liability before instructing a medical expert. This is to ensure the instructions to the medical expert are complete and improve the quality of medical reports.
MoJ will also work with stakeholders to explore the development of options for aligning the processes for obtaining medical reports, so that represented and unrepresented claimants follow the same medical reporting journey.
