How Red Health Supports Our Medical Experts 

Becoming an Independent Medical Expert can and should be an enriching and fulfilling addition to your practice. It’s a way to utilise your skills and experience not only for an extra income stream but importantly as an alternative way to help people. It enables practitioners to achieve greater work-life balance while providing a valuable contribution to connect the dots between medicine and the law. 

The good, bad and the ugly…

Like every industry there is the good experiences, and bad ones!

The path to becoming an independent medical expert hasn’t always been paved with good intentions or experiences. The more you research and ask the question of your peers, the more you will see that everyone has something to say!

With decades of experience in the Medico-Legal industry, we have heard many stories of providers and booking agents treating medical experts poorly. One of the main areas of disappointment shared with us by practitioners is a lack of trust and transparency, with many stating that billing and remuneration were purposefully confusing and geared to benefit the provider/agent. Others reported inappropriate tactics with regard to fee schedules and hidden charges which were deducted from money owed for work undertaken, and in some cases, changing reports without their review or consent. 

On the flip side there are also businesses that use stories like the ones we have shared above to their advantage and have built their business model on the basis of driving fear and distrust between medico-legal providers and medical practitioners. 

It is not surprising that medical practitioners are hesitant to step into the world of medico-legal and when they do they are guarded.

Medical Experts Need to Explore Their Options

For medical experts looking to explore the role of being an independent medical examiner we recommend that you do your research and consider what is right for you. It may be a case of trial and error for some, but if you are keen to start off on the right foot then there are steps you can take to do so.

Whilst medical practitioners do not require a medico-legal provider to receive referrals for independent medical examinations, they can play a vital role depending on the level of responsibility or involvement you are willing or able to take on in your practice and life. 

For those looking to go it alone, considerations must be made to ensure that each referral is handled accordingly and that you and your support staff are educated on the role of being an independent medical examiner and expert witness. The challenges that arise for medical practitioners generally fall from a lack of understanding or lack of preparation for a new line of referral which is very different from their general practice areas. We recommend that you research and undertake industry recognised training to ensure you have an understanding of the role as an expert witness and to discuss this with your support staff before taking on referrals so that processes and learning and development can be undertaken.

Find a Partner That Will Help Guide You

If you are open to the idea of working with a provider then we recommend you do your homework here too! You should ask questions about the type of referrals you may receive, what training or accreditations you will require, what the expected volume of work may be, how your availability is managed, the remuneration structure, whether you can take on direct referrals or not, their expectations of you and many more! 

At Red Health we are a Values and Purpose driven organisation that places tremendous focus on forming long-term and supportive working relationships with our medical practitioners who form our Referral Network and assist us to facilitate independent medical services.

Whilst we cannot speak to other providers, here are some of the reasons why you may want to partner with us:

Values and Purpose driven: We take immense pride in our purpose; we make a difference by humanising the medico-legal experience, and our values; accountability, connection, motivation, innovation and collaboration. These shape our behaviour and actions. We are passionate about improving the medico-legal industry and genuinely aim to make a positive impact with each interaction. 

Open communication and transparency: Prior to taking on any referrals or committing to us, medical practitioners will have the opportunity to ask any questions and will have a designated contact person to ensure they never feel like they are on their own. Medical practitioners who join our Referral Network are provided with personalised support and guidance.

Access to a wider range of cases: Red Health can connect medical experts with a wider range of referral types, allowing you to expand your professional experience and knowledge. This can help medical experts to develop a more diverse skill set and stay up-to-date on industry trends.

Reduced administrative burden: Red Health handles the administrative tasks associated with referrals, such as scheduling, appointment confirmation, receipt of records, record management, invoicing and aftercare services such as supplementary report and court evidence. This allows medical experts to focus on providing expert opinions, rather than administrative tasks.

Enhanced credibility: Working with Red Health can enhance the credibility of a medical expert, as it demonstrates that they have been vetted by a trusted third party. This can make it easier for medical experts to build relationships with referring clients and increase their opportunities for future work.

Added layer of protection: Red Health adds a layer of protection between you and the referring client which supports the obligations of being an independent medical examiner and helps to navigate any potential conflicts of interest or requests which a medical practitioner may not recognise as inappropriate.

Improved communication: Red Health can facilitate communication between medical experts and referring clients, helping to ensure that all parties are on the same page and that important information is not overlooked or misunderstood.

Increased efficiency: By streamlining the referral process and providing support services, Red Health helps medical experts provide their services more efficiently, reducing the time and resources required to complete a referral.

Is becoming an Independent Medical Expert right for you?

While the Red Health approach and offer sounds enticing, it’s not for everyone. Even with our incredible support, being an IME has its challenges, and we are more than happy to chat and discuss if this is the right move for you and your practice.

Join The Red Health Referral Network

Becoming an independent medical expert is a fantastic way for medical practitioners to diversify their income and create more work-life balance. Red Health also offers investment opportunities for medical experts to widen their investment portfolio.

We proudly provide education and support for medical practitioners looking to join our elite referral network and help us fulfil our mission of bringing a human touch to the medico-legal sector.