- When should I seek a second medical opinion?
You should not be afraid of upsetting your treating physician by
asking for a second medical opinion. Remember that the ultimate decision on your health and your life is yours.
You should consider getting a second medical opinion if
- you have a serious illness that may endanger your life;
- your illness has not been correctly diagnosed;
- there are several available treatments for your illness;
- the treatment proposed by your doctor entails significant risks;
- the treatment proposed by your doctor might have a negative effect on your own lifestyle, your family or your
work;
- you are not confident that the treatment proposed by your doctor is the best available option for you or that the
treatment is not working as expected;
- you feel under pressure to decide about your treatment and you want to have more information;
- your insurance company requires a second opinion before paying for your treatment.
- Who can benefit form using the services of Consult a Specialist?
Any person suffering from a serious disease or who has uncertain
diagnosis and seeks a second medical opinion from one of the best specialists in the US.
- What type of diseases does Consult a Specialist refer to specialists?
All kinds, although they are generally serious
illnesses, e.g. cancer, cardiovascular, autoimmune or neurodegenerative diseases, etc., or uncertain diagnoses, e.g.
dizziness of unclear origin, non specific pain syndrome that is unresponsive to treatment, etc.
- How good are the specialists Consult a Specialist refers cases to?
The specialists to whom Consult a Specialist refers cases are physicians who by a
number of criteria, could be considered the very best in their fields. They are the physicians to whom the directors of
Consult a Specialist would refer their family members should it be needed.
These specialists where nominated as the best physicians of
the United States by their own peers (Best Doctors in America). Approximately 35,000 specialists answered a
survey with questions such as “Who would you consult if you or a loved on needed medical attention?” This
process identified a number of physicians recognized by their own peers as the best within their medical specialty and
to whom they would trust their health and their life, or those of their loved ones.
Example: An oncologist affiliated with one on the best cancer centers in the US, focused exclusively on the
treatment of breast cancer. He has over 15 years of clinical experience, and sees about 100 patients per week; has
participated in over 20 clinical studies comparing different treatments for breast cancer; and has over 30 publications
related to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. - How long does the process take?
You will receive the specialist’s response in writing in approximately 10
business days after your medical record was completed. However, if your case requires that certain studies (e.g.
biopsies) are reviewed for a second time, we will take the necessary time to ensure that the specialist’s response
is detailed and based on the best information available.
- How much can I expect to pay for these services?
If you are interested in learning about the costs associated with
the services Consult a Specialist provides, please Contact Us or call +1 (617) 848 1295 in the United States. - What records or documents should I send to Consult a Specialist?
The more information and records you provide us with, the better.
The medical records your physicians keep are especially useful, as are all the diagnostic tests that have been performed
(e.g. blood tests, imaging studies, biopsies, EKGs, etc.)
- Is it absolutely necessary to have an existing medical record?
No, although it is extremely useful. If you do not
have your medical record and it is not possible to obtain it, one of our clinical associates will take your
clinical history in detail. One should remember that the more information we provide the specialist with, the
better tools he/she will have to adequately answer the patient’s questions.
- Is it essential to have imaging and lab studies?
Depending on the disease you have, lab and/or imaging studies may
be necessary for the specialist to be able to provide an adequate second opinion of your case. There may be cases in
which a written report alone is sufficient, however, there may be other cases in which having the original studies for
the specialist to review will be necessary.
For oncological diseases with existing biopsies, Consult a Specialist may request original biopsies specimens for them to be reevaluated
or reexamined by a pathologist. You will receive a copy of this new pathology report. - How do I send my medical records to Consult a Specialist?
You should obtain a copy of your medical record from your physician. If
any laboratory or imaging studies have been performed, you should also provide us with a copy of those results. Once
your medical record is complete, you will send it via currier to a clinical associate of Consult a Specialist.
There may be occasions where it will be necessary for you to provide us with the original imaging or biopsies studies
for our specialists to review. All the original material will be returned to you at the end of the consultation. - At the end, what documents will I receive from Consult a Specialist?
- The specialist’s detailed analysis and response to all of your questions regarding your disease.
- A summary of your clinical history, which you may use in the future as a source of information about your
health.
- A biosketch of the specialist who evaluated your case.
- Being the case, you will receive a report of any imaging or pathology studies that have been reviewed by one
of our specialists.
- All the medical records you provided us with.
- In what language is the specialist’s response?
We provide the specialist’s response in English. However
if you wish, Consult a Specialist can translate the response in to the language of your choice.
- Will my health insurance pay for the services of Consult a Specialist?
This is a question you should directly ask your health
insurance company.
- How are payments made to Consult a Specialist?
- Payment by phone
- Direct deposit or wire transfer
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