Law firm's database shows 66% difference in consultant fees across UK regions
The insurance industry could save hundreds of thousands of pounds in claims costs through the selection of medical experts.
Figures published by law firm DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, taken from its medical experts database service (MEDS), showed a vast gulf in experts' fees - by both location and specialism.
Fees for consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the South, for instance, are on average more than twice as expensive as those in Northern Ireland (see map).
And orthopaedic surgeons' fees can cost up to two thirds more than those of accident and emergency (A&E) consultants. The average fee of an A&E consultant in the south is £278, whereas an orthopaedic surgeon in the same region charges an average of £406.
DLA partner Alan Jacobs said: "The difference in fees between the two types of experts shows how fee savings could be made by greater use of A&E consultants, where appropriate.
He added: "If a Northern Irish A&E consultant were used instead of a southern English orthopaedic surgeon the fee saving could be 66%."
Jacobs said he had heard of insurers flying experts from Northern Ireland to England for a day of back-to-back examinations to take advantage of their cheaper fees.
"We can see why this might be attractive financially."
The MEDS database contains details of over 8,000 medical professionals and is used to provide guidance to insurers when a claimant nominates a medical expert.
MEDS update to speed claims
DLA is to update its medical experts database to allow claimants to select and instruct experts pre-approved by defendant insurers.
Claimants will be able to search for an expert and print off a certificate of authority from the insurer to instruct the expert. The insurer is then notified of the instruction.
DLA partner Alan Jacobs said: "This process will cut out the pre-action protocol on nomination of experts and save costs."
