Virtual Second Opinion for Transplant

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.

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.

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

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.

A virtual second opinion helps you understand your condition, current treatment options, and whether transplant might be an option for you to consider in the future. A transplant evaluation is a separate, formal process conducted by a transplant center to determine candidacy for listing. Our service is unrelated to a transplant evaluation does not replace or duplicate that evaluation.

No. Only a formal transplant evaluation by a transplant center can determine listing eligibility. Further, each transplant center may have its own criteria and requirements for determining eligibility. However, our specialists can help you understand what factors affect candidacy and what steps may improve your readiness.

Even if you have been denied a transplant elsewhere, you may still benefit from a virtual second opinion. Our experts can review your medical records to explain why you may have been denied, what changes might help improve eligibility in the future, or what other treatment paths may be available.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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