QME records review FAQ
Short version: 12 questions California QMEs ask before buying record review, each answered in 2 or 3 sentences with a link to the page that has the detail.
Limits: Prices, turnaround and features come from each vendor's own website, read on 2026-11-12. We did not send any vendor a real file, so turnaround and quality are the vendors' claims. Nothing here is billing or legal advice.
12 questions about QME records review
Should a QME outsource record review at all?
For files over 200 pages, software you check usually saves reading time, and a service can take overflow or unreadable files. Under 200 pages, reading the file yourself is often faster than uploading and checking it.
What is the difference between a records review service and records review software?
A service has staff, often helped by AI, prepare the file and deliver it in hours or days. Software does the sorting and excerpting itself in minutes and leaves the checking to you. See the services and software pages.
What is a party-side review service?
A company the claims administrator or an attorney hires to remove duplicates and non-medical pages and declare a page count before records are served on you. It works for them, not for you.
Which option suits a new QME?
A pay-per-page tool with a free first file, which costs nothing in an empty month. The practice size page works through 3 synthetic practices.
How much do QME record review tools cost?
Published prices on 2026-11-12 ran from about 4 cents to 17 cents a page, or $99 to $665 a month for page allowances, or $199 to $299 a month for a flat seat. Services published no page rates.
How does vendor cost compare with the $3.00 ML-PRR rate?
At 10 cents a page, a vendor costs 3.3% of the $3.00 the fee schedule pays per page past 200. Run your own numbers in the calculator; it compares costs and gives no billing advice.
Do vendors charge for duplicate pages?
OctopusLM says it does. Medrecords AI (ours) says exact duplicates are never charged. The other tools don't say on their pricing pages, so ask.
How long does outsourced record review take?
Software claims minutes to about 1 hour. RapidCare WHITE states 24 hours standard, and LezDo TechMed reports 3 to 5 days in its own QME case story. Most services state no number. See the turnaround page.
How long do I have to serve the report?
30 days after the evaluation under 8 CCR 38, with a possible extension of up to 30 more days from the Medical Director on request.
Can someone else prepare the records outline for my report?
Labor Code 4628(c) allows another person to prepare the initial outline or excerpts, provided you review the excerpts and the entire outline. The report must also disclose each person who performed non-clerical services, under 4628(b).
Do I need a BAA with a record review vendor?
Yes, before any records move. Every vendor on this site that addresses the question offers one or keeps the records on your computer; get it signed with the first quote.
Is this site independent of the vendors it lists?
No. Medrecords AI publishes it and makes 1 of the products listed. How we handle that is on the methodology page.