Second Opinions Specialist

What are second opinions?

Getting a second opinion means asking another health care professional about a diagnosis or treatment you’ve received that you have doubts about. Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists offer expert second opinion services.

Your original health care provider might diagnose an illness or recommend treatments that surprise you or don’t seem to match your expectations. Sometimes your provider doesn’t give you a clear diagnosis, so you might feel a second opinion could provide you with more satisfying answers. Or you might feel other treatment options are worth considering.

Second opinions can be helpful when making choices about your treatment, too. For instance, you might need to decide between a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure or robot-assisted surgery.

Is it OK to ask for second opinions?

A reputable health care provider wouldn’t have a problem with you asking for a second opinion.

Doctors take different approaches to diagnosis and treatment. For example, some might focus on addressing your health problem with conservative treatments before suggesting surgery, while others specialize in doing surgery at an earlier stage.

Your provider bases their advice on the latest research and existing evidence, but these sources aren’t always conclusive. Therefore, each diagnostic technique or treatment could have its pros and cons with no single correct option.

There are times when it’s not a great idea to ask for a second opinion. If you’re having a heart attack, for instance, timely treatment is vital. Asking for a second opinion in the hospital emergency room could delay your treatment and affect your recovery. So it’s usually better to trust your ER doctor’s advice.

Does health insurance cover second opinions?

If you have Medicare, you get a contribution for second opinions that relate to medically necessary treatments. Other kinds of health insurance often cover second opinions, but you need to check what your policy says. It might still be worth paying for a second opinion if your insurance doesn’t cover it to ensure you get the best treatment.

The team at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists has considerable experience in providing second opinions for foot and ankle problems. They offer a fresh perspective on your condition while making sure they serve your best interests.

If you’re considering asking for a second opinion, call the experts at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists today or request an appointment online.