Virtual Second Opinion

Find Your Condition

About us

Bringing our expertise to you virtually

Cedars-Sinai has been providing world-class healthcare for more than 100 years. With our Virtual Second Opinion program, we're expanding our reach, offering our expertise digitally through a personalized service that's available to you from the convenience of your home.

nurse in desktop

“Our doctors are leaders. With a Virtual Second Opinion, you can be confident we have your best interests at heart, and we’ll provide you with all the support you need to make the best decisions about your care.”

Dr. Joanna Chikwe

Chair, Department of Cardiology

dr chikwe

Why choose Cedars-Sinai?

  • Our doctors

    People from around the globe seek care from the doctors at Cedars-Sinai. We’ll match you with a doctor who’s an expert in your condition so you get the information you need. And we don’t use third-party doctors. All of our doctors are part of our medical staff, so you can feel confident in their knowledge.

  • Your team

    We understand that you have questions and concerns. Our nurse coordinator and doctor will work together to answer your questions and guide you through the process. We’ll get you the answers you need quickly — on average, within a week of collecting your medical records.

  • Our expertise

    You don't have to be in Los Angeles or even California to take advantage of the Virtual Second Opinion service. The program is available in most states. We're as close and convenient as your smartphone or laptop.

cardiology dotted

Meet our doctors

Get to know a few of the doctors who participate in Cedars-Sinai’s Virtual Second Opinion program.

dr chikwe video
play icon

Leveraging the world’s experts for your path forward

Joanna Chikwe, MD
dr catarino video
play icon

Guiding patients through complex, high-risk surgeries

Pedro Catarino, MD
dr chugh video
play icon

Focusing on the individual

Sumeet S. Chugh, MD

Our expertise

After you complete the virtual second opinion process, your options may include:

  • 1

    Surgical Intervention

  • 2

    Non-Surgical Integrated Care

  • 3

    Innovative Treatments

  • Surgical Intervention

    At Cedars-Sinai, our surgeons offer expert care across complex conditions. Sub-specialized across surgical categories such as minimally invasive, robotic and general surgeries, our providers can guide you through the most effective and appropriate surgical options.

    surgical intervention

  • Non-Surgical Integrated Care

    Complex conditions often require an integrated approach that varies person to person. Our team works to understand your comprehensive health, and how all factors contribute to care recommendations, including medication management, non-surgical interventions, and alternative approaches.

    non-surgical intervention

  • Innovative Treatments

    Cedars-Sinai is one of the leading institutes for competitive research funding from the National Institutes of Health. Including clinical trials and innovative treatments across 24 distinct areas of care our teams translate discoveries into successful treatments with global impact.

    innovative treatments

Find your condition

Want more information?

If you would like more information about the Virtual Second Opinion program at Cedars-Sinai, please enter your information below.

Frequently asked questions

It’s natural to have questions about getting a Virtual Second Opinion. We’re here with answers to some of the questions participants often have about our Virtual Second Opinion program.

  • What does my Virtual Second Opinion include?

    When you enroll in Virtual Second Opinion, we’ll match you with a nurse coordinator who will be with you throughout the process and who will help collect your medical records. We’ll also match you with a Cedars-Sinai doctor who is an expert in your condition.

    You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions that the doctor will address specifically in your second opinion report, which addresses your specific condition and unique concerns. You’ll then have the opportunity to take part in a virtual education session with the doctor to review your second opinion report and get answers to any additional questions you may have.

  • How much does a Virtual Second Opinion cost?

    A Virtual Second Opinion from Cedars-Sinai costs $590 if you live in California or $790 if you live outside California. The difference is due to additional costs associated with providing Virtual Second Opinions for out-of-state participants.

    Insurance plans do not cover this fee. Your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) may cover the cost of Virtual Second Opinion. Please check your plan details to determine eligibility. Your fee includes elevated concierge service, medical record collection and your second opinion report prepared by an expert doctor. You can also schedule a virtual educational session with the expert doctor to go over the second opinion report.

  • Can I request a Virtual Second Opinion for my child?

    We presently offer Virtual Second Opinions for children, focusing on a select range of medical conditions.

  • Can I request a Virtual Second Opinion for a loved one?

    We allow you to request a Virtual Second Opinion for a loved one over the age of 18 for all available conditions. To request a Virtual Second Opinion for a child or teen under the age of 18 you must be the parent or legal guardian. Virtual Second Opinions for minors are only available for select conditions. Participation from your loved one will be necessary at key points throughout the process to ensure we can provide the best second opinion possible. While the journey to get a second opinion for a loved one may seem complex, our nurse coordinators will be available to help you every step of the way.

  • What will my current doctor think of me if I get a second opinion?

    Most doctors welcome a second opinion and take any new information into consideration. In fact, many doctors will recommend you get a second opinion.

  • How do you match me with the doctor who prepares my second opinion report?

    We will carefully select a doctor who specializes in your specific condition. Our doctors are among the most respected doctors in the world.

  • Can I choose the doctor who prepares my second opinion report?

    You may request a specific doctor. If the doctor you have requested isn’t available, we will choose another one of our expert doctors based on your unique needs and timeline.

  • What if I can’t afford a Virtual Second Opinion?

    Your insurance plan may cover in-person visits with one of our doctors.

  • How long will it take to receive a second opinion report?

    We aim for four to six business days after we complete the collection of your medical records for you to receive your Virtual Second Opinion report. Sometimes collecting records from other providers takes longer than expected, and delivery timelines are often out of our control. Each second opinion is unique, and we’ll keep you updated and ensure you receive your written second opinion report as quickly as possible. The timeframes for Virtual Second Opinions for Undiagnosed Conditions are different due to the complexities of these conditions. To learn more about the Undiagnosed Conditions process, visit the Undiagnosed Conditions portion of the Virtual Second Opinion website.

  • Do I need to send my medical records to you?

    The nurse coordinator assigned to your case can gather all your medical records and test results for you. However, you also have the option to send your medical records to us electronically if you prefer.

  • Can I participate in Virtual Second Opinion if I am currently hospitalized?

    Unfortunately, individuals who are currently hospitalized are not eligible to participate in the Virtual Second Opinion program. It's best to participate after you leave the hospital when we can get the most current and complete health information to help you.

  • Am I required to get treatment at Cedars-Sinai if I get a Virtual Second Opinion?

    While we will be happy to arrange for treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, you are free to obtain treatment anywhere you choose.

  • Is the Virtual Second Opinion service available to anyone?

    Due to certain state regulatory constraints, we cannot offer the Virtual Second Opinion service to individuals residing in certain states. We will notify you directly if a Virtual Second Opinion cannot be provided to you for this reason and you will still have an option to request an in-person appointment with a physician specialist at Cedars-Sinai.

  • How does the process for the Undiagnosed Conditions program differ from the standard Virtual Second Opinion process?

    Individuals seeking Virtual Second Opinion services have typically received a diagnosis of their condition and are seeking a second opinion from Cedars-Sinai to confirm and obtain input on the prior diagnosis. Individuals seeking consideration to participate in the Undiagnosed Conditions program have a condition that others have not been able to diagnose and want to know if Cedars-Sinai may be able to assist with the diagnosis. Both processes involve review of your medical records. In a Virtual Second Opinion, your nurse coordinator can collect your medical records independently. With an Undiagnosed Conditions evaluation, you and your nurse coordinator will work together to collect and submit your medical records. This is because individuals with undiagnosed chronic conditions have often seen many doctors beforehand, which means we will need your help to track down and collect your records.

    In a Virtual Second Opinion, we assign review of your records to a specialist based on your medical records and needs. With an Undiagnosed Conditions evaluation, your records will be reviewed and presented to the multi-disciplinary panel of physicians to consider whether Cedars-Sinai may be able to offer services to assist with understanding of your condition.

    Participation in the Undiagnosed Condition program costs $1,200 if you live in California or $1,400 if you live outside California, versus the standard Virtual Second Opinion’s cost of $590 if you live in California or $790 if you live outside of California. The difference is due to higher costs involved in administering the Undiagnosed Condition program. However, if we determine that we are unlikely to be able to advance an understanding of your condition, and do not move forward with the Undiagnosed Condition process, a portion of the administrative fee will be refunded to you.

  • How can employers or businesses provide access to Virtual Second Opinions for their employees?

    Employers or businesses interested in offering Virtual Second Opinions to their employees can contact us directly via email at secondopinion@cshs.org. We will respond promptly to discuss how our services can meet your organization's needs.