Category: Second Opinion

virtual seconc opinions
Mar 7 2023

The pros and cons of in-person and virtual second opinions

Second Opinion

A second opinion can be a valuable decision making tool for people who have been diagnosed with a complex, rare, or serious health problem or who have received a recommendation for surgery. You may also want to seek a second opinion if your current treatment isn’t working as expected, you live in an area where... Read More

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second opinion
Sep 13 2021

Three challenges to getting a second opinion and how to overcome them

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn, MD

A second opinion can be a valuable tool to help you ensure that your diagnosis is accurate and you’re choosing an appropriate treatment plan. Second opinions from experienced specialists can confirm or change your diagnosis and treatment options, lowering your risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that approximately 88%... Read More

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virtual second opinion
Nov 3 2020

How to prepare for a virtual second opinion

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn, MD

A second opinion is an important tool that can help lower your risk of misdiagnosis, medical errors, and inappropriate treatment and ensure you’re aware of all appropriate treatment options. Second opinions are especially important if your doctor has recommended surgery or you’ve been diagnosed with a complex or rare health problem. Getting a second opinion... Read More

second opinions
Oct 27 2020

Second opinions: Five situations when you should get one

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Second opinions can help lower your risk of experiencing a medical error or misdiagnosis, allow you to learn about all treatment options and their benefits and risks, connect you with physicians who have experience and success treating people with your condition, and provide you with peace of that mind that your diagnosis and treatment plan... Read More

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virtual consultations
Mar 10 2020

Virtual consultations expand your access to expert specialists

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Virtual access to physicians isn’t new. Patients have benefited from virtual second opinions for years and more recently, have been able to quickly and conveniently connect with physicians through computer and smartphone apps that put them in touch with primary care physicians, pediatricians, and mental health providers. What is new is virtual access to a... Read More

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cancer
Feb 26 2019

When Diagnosed With Cancer, a Second Opinion Can Have a Big Impact on Treatment.

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may feel as if you need to start treatment as quickly as possible. For most types of cancer, however, there’s no need to rush to begin treatment immediately and there are benefits to taking the time to seek a second opinion on your diagnosis and treatment plan... Read More

HSA
Mar 6 2018

A second opinion can help you save your HSA dollars

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn

If you have a high deductible health plan, a health savings account (HSA) allows you to put aside pre-tax or tax-deductible dollars to pay for deductibles, co-payments, and qualified medical expenses that aren’t covered by your health plan, such as prescription glasses and dental care. The goal is to reduce your out-of-pocket medical costs. But... Read More

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second opinion
Oct 24 2017

How to Ask for a Medical Second Opinion

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn

There are a number of different situations when you might want to get a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment plan. It’s wise to consider getting a second opinion if you’re diagnosed with a serious, complex, or rare condition or if your doctor has recommended elective (non-emergency) surgery like joint replacement or a hysterectomy.... Read More

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elective surgery
Sep 19 2017

7 Questions to Ask If Your Second Opinion Is Different Than Your First

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn

If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious, complex, or rare condition or if your doctor has recommended elective (non-emergency) surgery, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion. There are several ways that a second opinion can help you make an informed medical decision: It can confirm that your original diagnosis and treatment plan... Read More

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virtual second opinion
Apr 25 2017

When to get a virtual second opinion and where to get one

Second Opinion  •  By Susan Walker

If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious, complex, or rare health problem or received a recommendation for surgery, getting a second opinion can help you avoid misdiagnosis and choose the most appropriate treatment. In fact, some studies found that about 20% of people seek a second opinion and that percentage rises to 50% for people... Read More

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