Online Panel QME Process
Paper QME panel requests are now a thing of the past. Panel requests are going online. September 3, 2015 was the last day to submit a panel request by paper. After the short hiatus, form 106 will be available online starting at 8 a.m. on October 1, 2015.
Under the new online Panel system, all initial panel requests for represented cases must be submitted online. The process for unrepresented cases remain unchanged.
The new online form is not much different from the paper version. The online form requires all the same information as the paper form with the additional requirements of a phone number for the applicant attorney and defense attorney/claims adjuster.
While the process is generally the same, there are some notable changes.
Submission Timing
Panel requests can now be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, the specific time of when a panel is submitted affects when it will be marked as received.
The schedule is as follows:
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The panel will be considered received as of the exact date and time it is submitted.
Monday through Friday after 5 p.m. and before 12 a.m.
The panel will be deemed submitted at 8 a.m. the next business day.
Monday through Friday after 12 a.m. and before 8 a.m.
The panel will be deemed submitted at 8 a.m. on that same business day.
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
The panel will be deemed submitted at 8 a.m. the next business day.
So if Monday is the first day a panel can be requested, we’ll be sure to submit our request at 5 p.m. the Friday before. Waiting until Monday morning will likely be too late.
Instant Gratification
The best quality of this new online system is that a panel will be issued immediately! No longer will you have to wait a month or more to receive a panel. Once the panel is issued, the panel and copy of all submitted documents must be served on the opposing party with a proof of service within 1 business day. Following service of the panel, each party has 10 days to issue a strike.
Our offices are ready for the new changes come October 1, 2015. Should you have any questions about the new online Panel system, please feel free to contact any of our attorneys.