HEALTH + WELLNESS
them. The reality is that most insurance
companies encourage second opinions,
and the majority cover the cost fully.
The more complicated or serious the
condition, the more useful a second
opinion may be, especially given data
suggesting differing opinions.
Many of the top medical centers, like
Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins and
MD Anderson, offer remote consultations pending the review of a patient’s
record. These specialists require a close
review of all of the patient’s medical
records including physician notes,
x-rays, lab tests and pathology. Additional testing should not be necessary
unless an inadequate initial workup
was done. When such a consultation
is made, it often is provided by a specialist in the field. A second set of
eyes, especially expert eyes, can only
be beneficial. Many of these remote
consults are covered by insurance companies, but they may cost the patient
up to $1,500 in out-of-pocket costs.
Getting a second opinion does not
require the patient to change physicians or accept the advice or treatment
of the new physician. Only 61 percent
of patients ultimately proceed with the
advice given in the second opinion. Even
when the experts agree with the initial
physician, the patient is offered significant reassurance and peace of mind.
When a patient is faced with a confusing, complicated or serious diagnosis,
a second opinion can serve to optimize outcomes and further educate
the patient on his or her situation. An
informed patient is always better off in
the long run. n
JULY AUGUST 2015
97