Background
A San Diego-based Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) specializing in orthopedic surgery and disability evaluations had been running a successful practice for 18 years. He relied on accurate and well-structured medical record reviews for providing thorough assessments in workers compensation claims. When his caseload increased, he collaborated with a record review firm to streamline his operations. However, he experienced hidden costs, poor-quality reports, and inefficiencies from the provider, which impacted his practice, causing frustration, financial strain and legal risks.
Faced these obstacles, the QME sought a reliable, cost-effective solution. He heard about LezDo TechMed from one of his colleagues and approached us in hope of getting an improved service that could help him enhance his practice’s efficiency.
Unique Challenges with Prior Service
The prior provider initially promised competitive pricing and high-quality medical summaries and deposition summaries. However, the QME soon encountered several challenges that disrupted workflow and impacted his revenue.
Hidden fees & unexpected charges: The previous provider advertised low per-case pricing but included surprise charges for expedited services, deduplication and revisions. Their monthly invoices always exceeded initial estimates by 30-40%, leading unexpected financial strain to his practice.
Non-customizable review services: Th provider offered a one-size-fits-all template, which made it difficult to locate key details as per his case needs. Customization requests were considered premium services with additional costs, instead of being a standard part of the review process.
Incomplete medical summaries: Reports lacked clarity. Key details such as prior injuries, pre-existing conditions, and medication history were often missed or misinterpreted. This led to gaps in medical evidence, incorrect disability ratings, and inconsistent impairment evaluations. Without proper cross-referencing between medical sources, the reports contained discrepancies that made injury assessments unreliable.
Poorly structured Reports: The poorly formatted summaries made it difficult to defend evaluations during legal proceedings and depositions. It also necessitated extensive validation efforts to ensure its comprehensiveness and accuracy before the evaluation reports could be used for legal proceedings.
Slow turnaround times and delays: The firm promised 7-10 days turnaround times, but reports often arrived late by 10-14 days pointing to the volume of records. These delays disrupted his QME report submission deadlines, forcing attorneys to reschedule depositions at the last minute. This not only created frustration among attorneys and clients but also forced the QME to manually recheck the reports. He had lost valuable time reducing his overall efficiency.
Solution: A Transparent and Customized Approach from LezDo TechMed
Frustrated with inefficiencies, the QME availed the free trial option from LezDo TechMed. Being satisfied with the quality of the summaries, transparent and clear pricing structure, and flexible service options, he partnered with us. Overcoming hidden costs and inefficiencies was his expectation from the partnership.
Transparent, fixed pricing with no hidden fees:
We introduced a straightforward, per-page pricing model that eliminated unexpected charges. Unlike the previous provider, customization and formatting adjustment were included at no additional cost. Even the cost for expedited services were clearly mentioned in the fee structure and were reasonable. This resulted in a 35-40% reduction in monthly record review expenses, converting to savings of over $3,000 per month.
Tailored medical chronologies and summaries:
Understanding the QME’s struggles with inefficient reports, our experts developed a system allowing full customization of report formats to align with the QME’s preferences. This ensured that every report contained:
- Chronological documentation of key medical events.
- Clear identification of prior injuries and pre-existing conditions.
- Comprehensive disability ratings aligned with AMA guidelines.
- Flagging of inconsistencies for better legal defensibility in depositions and trials.
By implementing this structured review process, the QME was able to quickly extract critical insights, making the report more effective for depositions and legal challenges.
Faster and high-quality report delivery:
We addressed the turnaround time issue by streamlining the review workflow. The processing time was reduced from 10-14 days to 3-5 days, with a 64% improvement. This allowed the QME meet strict deadlines, increasing client and attorney satisfaction while improving case resolution timelines.
Boosted report accuracy and legal credibility:
Our expert reviewers ensured that every report was well-structured, legally sound and easy to defend in depositions. The improved accuracy and formatting resulted in:
- No missing records, irrelevant information, or redundancy.
- Consistent cross-referencing across medical records improved diagnostic accuracy and impairment calculations.
- Strong medical opinions in reports made it difficult for opposing attorneys to challenge and it reduced legal disputes.
- Increased credibility in legal and insurance cases, further enhanced the QME’s reputation and revenue.
Outcome: Measurable Growth in Efficiency and Profitability
By partnering with LezDo TechMed, the QME not only overcame the challenges posed by hidden fees and poorly tailored record reviews but also experienced a remarkable transformation in practice operations, financial health, and client satisfaction. The results were nothing short of impressive, demonstrating the measurable benefits of adopting a more efficient, transparent, a customized service.
The outcome of this partnership can be visible from the words of the
QME:
Client Testimonial
“LezDo TechMed offers transparent pricing with no hidden charges, and their summaries are structured exactly how I need them. My reports are now accurate, easy to review, and legally defensible. I highly recommend them to any QME looking to improve efficiency and cut unnecessary costs!”
– QME, San Diego
Conclusion
The partnership with us not only streamlined the San Diego-based QME’s operations but also enhanced the profitability and sustainability of the practice. The results were crystal clear: increased efficiency, better cost management, improved client satisfaction, and a stronger bottom line.
