MedCo medical reports explained
MedCo is a FCA-regulated medical reporting platform that randomly allocates independent medical experts to soft-tissue road traffic accident claims. It was set up in 2015 by the Ministry of Justice and the insurance industry to address concerns about claimant-friendly medical reporting in whiplash claims — solicitors had been accused of “shopping” for sympathetic experts. MedCo ended that by removing the choice. This page explains how MedCo works in 2026, when it applies, and how the medical evidence flows into PI claims.
In this guide
- What MedCo is
- When MedCo is mandatory
- How the allocation works
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 experts
- What the medical report contains
- Medical examination
- Medical records review
- Independence and the expert’s duty
- Cost of MedCo reports
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
Most people who come to us would rather not handle a personal injury claim themselves. Our legal partner runs claims like this on a no win, no fee basis, gathers the evidence, deals with the other side’s insurer, and only takes a fee if your claim succeeds. You can also instruct a solicitor directly free of charge if you would rather, and the law gives you the same rights either way.
What MedCo is
MedCo (Medical Reporting Companies Ltd) is a not-for-profit company operating an online platform that:
- Maintains an accredited register of medical experts and medical reporting organisations (MROs).
- Randomly allocates instructions for soft-tissue medical reports.
- Sets minimum quality standards for reports.
- Provides oversight to ensure independence.
The platform is mandated by the Ministry of Justice and accessed by all solicitors handling qualifying claims. MedCo is regulated by the FCA under reference number 718265.
When MedCo is mandatory
MedCo must be used for medical evidence in:
- All RTA claims involving soft-tissue injuries (whiplash, neck strain, back sprain, etc.) under the OIC portal.
- Soft-tissue RTA claims outside the OIC portal but still within the small claims / fast track value range.
- Some specific categories of fast-track soft-tissue claims.
MedCo is NOT typically used for:
- Multi-track or intermediate-track PI claims with serious injuries (these use bespoke expert instructions).
- Non-RTA claims (workplace, public liability use traditional expert selection).
- Clinical negligence cases.
- Industrial disease cases.
How the allocation works
The random allocation process:
- 1. Solicitor logs onto MedCo and submits the claim details.
- 2. MedCo offers options — typically 7 medical experts or 1 MRO + 6 experts (depending on case type).
- 3. Selection from the list — the solicitor selects one of the offered options (cannot search outside the offered list).
- 4. Random feature — the experts offered are drawn from MedCo’s accredited register based on geographic suitability and availability, but the order/selection is randomised.
- 5. Instruction — once selected, the expert (or MRO) is instructed and proceeds with the medical examination and report.
The random element is designed to prevent solicitors from consistently choosing the same expert known to favour high awards. Defendant insurers can challenge the process if they have evidence of attempted gaming.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 experts
MedCo accredits experts into different tiers:
- Tier 1 experts — typically full-time medico-legal practitioners with the necessary clinical background and training. Most commonly GPs with additional medico-legal training.
- Tier 2 experts — typically specialists (consultants, registrars) doing medico-legal work alongside clinical practice.
Tier 1 is sufficient for soft-tissue whiplash reports — the majority of OIC portal cases. Tier 2 may be needed for more complex injuries or where causation is contested. The solicitor selects the tier based on the case requirements.
What the medical report contains
A MedCo medical report typically includes:
- The claimant’s account of the accident.
- The claimant’s description of injuries, symptoms and impact on daily life.
- Examination findings.
- Review of medical records (where available).
- Diagnosis of the injuries.
- Causation analysis — were the injuries caused by the accident?
- Prognosis — how long the injuries will take to resolve.
- Any recommended treatment.
- Expert’s declaration of independence and compliance with CPR Part 35.
The report is the cornerstone of the damages claim — without it, the case cannot be properly valued.
Medical examination
For most MedCo reports, an in-person or remote examination is needed. The claimant attends an appointment with the expert, who:
- Takes a history of the accident and symptoms.
- Physically examines the injured area(s).
- Reviews any imaging, scans or other test results.
- Asks about pre-existing conditions and current general health.
- Records the impact on the claimant’s daily life.
Examinations typically take 20-45 minutes. The claimant should be honest, accurate and complete — exaggeration or omission can damage credibility and the report’s value.
Medical records review
For most cases, the expert also reviews the claimant’s medical records:
- GP records typically obtained from the date 3-5 years pre-accident through to current.
- Any hospital records relating to the accident or treatment.
- Any specialist records relevant to the injuries claimed.
Records review is particularly important for assessing pre-existing conditions and credibility. Inconsistencies between what the claimant says and what the records show can be raised in the report.
Independence and the expert’s duty
Medical experts in PI cases owe their duty to the court, not to the instructing party. CPR Part 35 sets out the expert’s overriding duty:
- To help the court on matters within their expertise.
- Independent of instructing parties.
- Free from bias.
- Confined to matters within their expertise.
MedCo experts sign declarations of independence with each report. Experts found to lack independence can lose their MedCo accreditation.
Cost of MedCo reports
Fees are largely standardised:
- Tier 1 soft-tissue report — typically around £180-£500 plus medical records cost.
- Tier 2 report — typically £300-£800.
- Records-only reports — lower cost.
- Examination cost — separately quoted.
Fees are recoverable from the defendant as part of the claim costs, subject to the FRC framework.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refuse to see the MedCo expert?
You can — but without a medical report, the case cannot be properly valued. Refusing examination is essentially refusing to pursue the claim. Solicitors generally won’t continue a claim where the claimant won’t cooperate with the medical process.
Can I choose my own GP for the report?
No — the random allocation removes that choice. The expert is drawn from MedCo’s accredited register based on geography and availability, not on personal preference. The solicitor selects from the list MedCo offers, but cannot search outside it.
What if I disagree with the report?
You can raise specific factual corrections (e.g. the expert misrecorded what you said) and these can be made by the expert. Disagreeing with the expert’s opinion or prognosis is harder — usually requires a Part 35 question (written question to the expert) or a second opinion (rare in low-value claims, more common in higher-value cases).
Will my GP records affect my claim?
Yes — significantly. The expert reviews your records for relevant pre-existing conditions, prior injuries, and consistency of your symptom history. Honest disclosure to your solicitor of any relevant medical history is essential.
What about non-RTA claims?
MedCo doesn’t apply to workplace, public liability or clinical negligence claims. For these, the solicitor instructs an expert directly, typically a specialist relevant to the injuries (orthopaedic surgeon, neurologist, psychiatrist).
Does the defendant insurer get to challenge the report?
Yes — the defendant can ask Part 35 questions, obtain their own medical opinion (subject to court permission for “joint” expert situations), or contest the expert’s findings at trial. But challenging a MedCo report is harder than challenging a privately-selected expert because the random allocation removes the “biased expert” argument.
How long does it take to get a MedCo report?
Typically 4-12 weeks from instruction. The examination is scheduled within 2-6 weeks; the written report follows 2-4 weeks after that. Delays can occur with records review for complex cases.
Related guides
- The Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal explained
- Medical evidence in personal injury claims
- Whiplash tariff explained
- Road traffic accident claims
- How a personal injury claim works step by step
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