Each member of the medical review panel shall be reimbursed for his actual and necessary expenses and shall be paid at a rate of fifty dollars per diem for work performed as a member of the panel exclusive of time involved if called as a witness to testify in court. Per diem and expenses of the panel shall be borne by the parties in such proportions as may be determined by the chairman in his discretion.
§ 8.01-581.10.Per diem and expenses of panel.
Chapter 21.1. Medical Malpractice · Article 1. Medical Malpractice Review Panels; Arbitration of Malpractice Claims · Last amended 1984 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentencePanel members receive reimbursement for actual expenses plus a fifty-dollar daily payment for their panel work — not counting time spent testifying in court — with the cost split among the parties in proportions the panel chairman decides.
Full Text of § 8.01-581.10
Plain-English Summary
Serving on a medical review panel isn’t pro bono work. This section entitles each panel member to reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses and a flat fifty dollars per diem for time spent on panel work. That per diem doesn’t stretch to cover time a member later spends testifying as a witness in court — that’s handled separately.
The parties to the underlying case foot the bill, but not necessarily in equal shares. The chairman decides, in his discretion, how the per diem and expenses get divided among them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much per diem does a panel member receive?
Fifty dollars per diem for work performed as a member of the panel.
Does the per diem cover time spent testifying in court as a witness?
No, it excludes any time involved if the member is called to testify in court.
Are panel members reimbursed for expenses beyond the per diem?
Yes, each member is also reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.
Who pays the panel’s per diem and expenses?
The parties to the proceeding.
Who decides how those costs are divided among the parties?
The chairman, in his discretion.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-920; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1984, c. 777.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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