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Care that fits your life — with flexible options
There are times when you need another set of eyes. An expert to weigh in on the situation and evaluate the options. You need a second opinion.
Getting a second opinion can give you two valuable things: information and confidence. Specialists will review your records and talk with you about what it all means for your health. Bringing their expertise to your care, they can help you move forward and make the choices that are best for you.
You may want a second opinion if you’re:
A second opinion can help you feel more confident in your diagnosis and treatment plan. Whether it confirms what you’ve already been told or offers a new perspective, you’ll have the clarity you need.
Care that fits your life — with flexible options
Guidance from specialists people around the world trust
Insights from experts who focus on your condition
More minds working together on what’s best for you
It’s normal to wonder how your doctor might feel about you getting a second opinion. You may worry it could affect your relationship or seem like you don’t trust them.
In reality, second opinions are a standard part of care — especially for complex or serious conditions. Our providers understand this and welcome additional perspectives. Medicine is often a team effort, and another expert’s input can help everyone feel more confident about the plan.
If you’re unsure how to bring it up, you can keep it simple. You might say you’d like a second opinion to better understand your options or to feel more confident moving forward. A supportive provider will respect that and help you get the information you need.
We make getting a second opinion as convenient as possible. We’ll work with you to get your second opinion done as quickly as possible. You have two options:
Our scheduling team will go over what you need to share before your visit, like earlier test results, copies of imaging files and other health records. This allows the provider to do your second opinion and review everything before you meet with them.
When you come to your in-person visit, your provider will take the time to get to know you and talk about why you decided to get another opinion. They’ll go over your diagnosis and the proposed treatment plan your referring provider recommended.
Your provider will then discuss what they feel are the best next steps for you. They may agree with your current provider. Or they might have new insight and recommendations for a different treatment plan. And if you have questions, we’re here to answer them and help you feel better prepared to take the next step.
Cleveland Clinic’s virtual second opinion program lets you get expert guidance without traveling — whether you live in Ohio or out of state. You’ll get the same careful review and clear recommendations, all from home.
It starts with a simple online registration and a scheduled video visit with a nurse who’s trained in virtual second opinions. During that visit, our nurse will get to know you, talk through your situation and help you focus on the questions that matter most to you.
From there, our team gathers your medical records and imaging and connects you with the right specialist. That specialist will review everything in detail and provide a personalized report with their recommendations — typically within about two weeks of your nurse intake visit. In many cases, you’ll also have the option to meet with the physician by video to talk through your results and next steps.
Get started by registering for a VSO online.
Insurance coverage for second opinions varies by plan and condition. It also depends on whether you’re opting for an in-person appointment or a virtual one.
Before making an in-person appointment, we recommend calling the customer service number on the back of your insurance ID card to verify coverage. Many health insurance providers cover in-person second opinions. Medicare will cover some second opinions for surgery if it’s not an emergency.
Virtual second opinions are self-pay services and aren’t covered by insurance. The cost includes record collection, expert review and a detailed report with recommendations.
Pricing is straightforward:
There are no hidden fees.
It can be hard to know what to do next. What’s the best treatment? Do you feel comfortable with your care team? What’s the right fit for you? At Cleveland Clinic, our experts carefully review your diagnosis and treatment options with you — so you can understand your choices and decide what feels right for your care. When you’re ready, we’re here to help you take the next step.
Getting a second opinion with Cleveland Clinic’s experts is easy. We’re here to help you get the care you need.
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