Why becoming an Independent Medical Expert is good for your practice!

People prefer Red Health because we have a vast network of Independent Medical Examiners (IME) to provide expert advice and assistance in managing employees, worker’s compensation matters, insurance claims, and dispute resolution. 

Medico-Legal work is an exciting career for medical and allied health practitioners. Whilst medical experts are required across many different medical areas, the most common specialties utilised in the sector are:

  • Psychiatrists
  • Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Occupational & Environmental Physicians
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Neurologists
  • General Surgeons
  • Occupational Therapist

IMEs are well respected as expert witnesses by barristers and solicitors and play a vital role in the management and progression of claims relating to an individual’s ability to function in day-to-day life following illness or injury. 

Becoming a medico-legal expert is an attractive option for practitioners looking to diversify their practice or take a break from clinical work. While often perceived as a path for experienced medical practitioners transitioning to the end of a career, it’s also an option for younger, accomplished professionals to support short and long-term goals. Medical practitioners rely on medico-legal work to achieve public to private transition. Additionally, medico-legal work is often appreciated for its flexibility.

Transferring clinical experience and medical expertise

If becoming IME is suitable for your practice, we offer support and a range of engagement options to create a beneficial plan for you.

By becoming an IME, you’ll develop exceptional report writing and examination skills while working across areas such as workplace and third-party injury claims, mental health, superannuation, medical negligence, and civil and employment law.

Knowledge of your speciality is your starting point and we will assist you to identify areas of professional development to maximise prepare you for medico-legal referrals. This may include the completion of accreditation-based training and the review of legislation relevant to particular client types.

Additional income stream

Independent Medical Examiners receive an agreed fee for medico-legal reporting. This fee can range depending on specialty and client type. The overall revenue is also related to your availability. We recommend that for entry level IMEs you start off with 2-4 referrals a month to enable you time to navigate the process. We will provide you with guidance throughout your journey. Red Health facilitates all processes, including prompt payment to IMEs for completed work.

In addition to the traditional ‘pay for service’ model, Red Health has introduced a franchise opportunity for its medical experts. Franchising with us brings the offer of long term partnership and investment opportunity to medical experts. More information on franchising can be provided by contacting [email protected] 

Report writing

Writing high-standard, expert reports for a court that are impartial and objective isn’t easy for everyone. Still, it’s an incredible skill to acquire and an essential medical service to offer. Red Health assists with everything from report formatting to calculating permanent impairment. 

Work to your schedule


Medico-legal work is as flexible as it comes. In addition to being in control of your availability, there are many delivery modes available to complete assessments and many options to suit everyone. Medico-legal works helps some medical experts to transition away from the burden of shift work and improve their work-life balance. Take advantage of Red Health’s typing and support services; if you travel for us, you can take the family too!

Knowledge and career development 

You will gain experience across various claims relating to individuals who are seeking compensation or being impacted by psychological or physical conditions. Red Health’s clients consist of law firms, insurance and superannuation companies, government agencies, employers and human resource professionals. Your medical opinion will help to gain a better understanding of how the claim affects the individual which assists with the management and progression of the matter.

Reasons to partner with Red Health

We’ve simplified the medico-legal journey for clients, and this approach applies to becoming an Independent Medical Examiner through Red Health. 

We’ve become trusted medico-legal leaders representing the Gold Standard through transparency and accountability in an industry where reputation is everything.

If you’re curious about medico-legal work and would like to explore what this may mean to you, get in touch with our friendly team.

We hand-select our medical experts. When you join our Elite Referral Network, you’re alongside highly regarded professionals who will help support you in your journey…

Contact us today to discover more 1300 100 733 or email [email protected].