Virtual Second Opinion

Get Started

Undiagnosed Conditions

If you have a chronic condition but have been unable to get a diagnosis despite the efforts of multiple doctors, we understand the challenges you face. You may have a rare disorder that other doctors aren’t familiar with. Or you could have a condition that is difficult to diagnose. Our multi-disciplinary team at Cedars-Sinai is dedicated to providing you with a path toward diagnosing these rare conditions.

Get Started
patient in a videocall

How an evaluation for Undiagnosed Conditions works

1
nurse with documents

Complete record collection and submission

We’ll match you with a nurse coordinator, who will contact you within one business day.

Your nurse coordinator is an advocate who will walk you through the process and provide personalized service. You’ll work along with your nurse coordinator to collect your previous medical records and prepare them for the Undiagnosed Conditions program’s consideration.

2
doctor holding rx

Our team verifies your records

Once you submit your medical records, our team will review them to make sure they are complete. If anything is missing that would be important to consider in determining your eligibility for the program, we will contact you to let you know, and partner with you to collect necessary items.

3
doctor reviewing records

Prequalification and records review

Once we have all your records, the information will be reviewed and presented to the program’s multi-disciplinary panel of medical professionals to determine whether Cedars-Sinai may be able to offer services to assist with understanding your condition. This is to ensure the Undiagnosed Conditions program is the right choice to move forward. If we determine that we may be able to offer services to assist with understanding your condition, we will move forward with the review process and you will ultimately receive a written report summarizing a path toward achieving a diagnosis.

4
patient holding a tablet with a written report

Receive your written report

Your written Undiagnosed Conditions program report is a personalized resource based on the multi-disciplinary panel consideration of your case. This report will include our recommendations for you to consider in proceeding to a path to obtain a diagnosis. After you receive your report, you will have an opportunity to talk with the physician leader of the Undiagnosed Conditions program about what tests and services are available if you decide to seek healthcare services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

View Example Report
5
couple in a videocall with a doctor

Ask questions about your report

You will have the opportunity to meet virtually with the head of our Undiagnosed Conditions program team using your smartphone, laptop or other webcam-enabled device. This gives you an opportunity to ask our physician leader questions about the report and what tests and services are available so that you can decide whether to seek healthcare services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to diagnose your condition.

If you choose to pursue receiving services from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or with Cedars-Sinai’s doctors, the Undiagnosed Conditions program team can coordinate any needed referrals.

How an evaluation for Undiagnosed Conditions works

couple in a videocall
1

Complete record collection and submission

We’ll match you with a nurse coordinator, who will contact you within one business day.

Your nurse coordinator is an advocate who will walk you through the process and provide personalized service. You’ll work along with your nurse coordinator to collect your previous medical records and prepare them for the Undiagnosed Conditions program’s consideration.

2

Our team verifies your records

Once you submit your medical records, our team will review them to make sure they are complete. If anything is missing that would be important to consider in determining your eligibility for the program, we will contact you to let you know, and partner with you to collect necessary items.

3

Prequalification and records review

Once we have all your records, the information will be reviewed and presented to the program’s multi-disciplinary panel of medical professionals to determine whether Cedars-Sinai may be able to offer services to assist with understanding your condition. This is to ensure the Undiagnosed Conditions program is the right choice to move forward. If we determine that we may be able to offer services to assist with understanding your condition, we will move forward with the review process and you will ultimately receive a written report summarizing a path toward achieving a diagnosis.

4

Receive your written report

Your written Undiagnosed Conditions program report is a personalized resource based on the multi-disciplinary panel consideration of your case. This report will include our recommendations for you to consider in proceeding to a path to obtain a diagnosis. After you receive your report, you will have an opportunity to talk with the physician leader of the Undiagnosed Conditions program about what tests and services are available if you decide to seek healthcare services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

5

Ask questions about your report

You will have the opportunity to meet virtually with the head of our Undiagnosed Conditions program team using your smartphone, laptop or other webcam-enabled device. This gives you an opportunity to ask our physician leader questions about the report and what tests and services are available so that you can decide whether to seek healthcare services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to diagnose your condition.

If you choose to pursue receiving services from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or with Cedars-Sinai’s doctors, the Undiagnosed Conditions program team can coordinate any needed referrals.

Get Started

Meet our world-class specialists

Cedars-Sinai’s Undiagnosed Conditions program works with a multi-disciplinary panel of specialists including cardiologists, geneticists, neurologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists and infectious-disease specialists to develop a path toward diagnosis of your condition so you can achieve optimal health and wellness.

Doctor Lalima A. Hoq, MD

Lalima A. Hoq, MD

Specialty

General Internal Medicine

Experience

26+Years

Education

Loma Linda University Medical Center- Internal Medicine

Doctor Leon G, Fine

Professor, Medicine

Leon G, Fine

Specialty

IM Nephrology

Experience

57 Years

Education

Residency, Tel Aviv University

doctor hoq
quote icon

“Our mission is to pave the way for individuals whose conditions have defied diagnosis and clear treatment solutions. Leveraging Cedars-Sinai’s cutting-edge research, we conduct a thorough analysis of all available medical records and collaborate with our diverse team of specialized experts at the Center for Undiagnosed Conditions. Together, we strive to assist those in search of transformative answers that can enhance their quality of life.”

Lalima A. Hoq, MD | General Internal Medicine, Undiagnosed Conditions Program

Get Started

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

It’s natural to have questions regarding undiagnosed conditions. We’re here with answers to some of the questions participants often have about our Undiagnosed Conditions program.

  • What is the program for Undiagnosed Conditions?

    Our Undiagnosed Conditions program seeks to provide a path toward diagnosis for individuals with conditions that have evaded diagnosis by other providers. If review of information provided would indicate that Cedars-Sinai may be able to assist with advancing an understanding of your condition, we will inform you what services are available to assist with understanding your condition.

  • What are the program’s fees?

    The cost of this program is $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. Because of the complex nature of an undiagnosed condition, more upfront work is required including partnership with your care team to identify, collect, and submit necessary medical records. It also covers the preparation of a written report describing the path you may want to pursue (such as further tests and evaluations) to achieving diagnosis. The co-director of the program will then review the provided records for prequalification. If it is deemed that progression to a multi-disciplinary team will not drive anticipated value, we will refund all but the $550 administrative fee and discuss alternative options. Note: These fees are not covered by insurance.

  • 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.

  • Who is eligible to participate in the program for Undiagnosed Conditions?

    At this time, only adults can be considered for participation in the program for Undiagnosed Conditions. Generally, those eligible for consideration to participate in the program for Undiagnosed Conditions meet one or more of the following criteria:

    • Have significant symptoms that have not been explained through specialist evaluation
    • Have received abnormal laboratory findings that remain unexplained
    • Have a high suspicion of malignancy
    • Have objective findings that are unexplained

    Unfortunately, we cannot help everyone who requests participate, as the program is intended for individuals with conditions that the Cedars-Sinai multi-disciplinary panel of medical professionals may help diagnose, and who are receptive to further diagnostic testing and intervention if needed. The following conditions are examples of those that are unlikely to be determined eligible:

    • Opioid dependency
    • Post Lyme disease syndrome
    • Fibromyalgia/myofascial syndrome
    • Chronic depression or anxiety disorder

  • What medical records will I need to submit?

    We ask that you submit all medical records pertinent to your condition. You can submit your medical records to us using our HIPAA compliant tools, and your assigned nurse coordinator can assist you with this process. Note that we do not return records to applicants, so please send only copies.

  • 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.

  • How will I know if my application is complete and under review?

    You will be notified via email when the application is complete and is under consideration.

  • If my case is accepted to participate in the program for Undiagnosed Conditions, what can I expect?

    For more information on the details of the program, please see the “How It Works” portion of this page.

  • What if I choose to pursue care at Cedars-Sinai after evaluation?

    If you wish to receive services at Cedars-Sinai following consideration of your case, many of the in-person services we offer may be covered by your insurance. We accept most insurance plans, including private insurance, HMOs, Medicare and Medi-Cal. Visit the following page for more information on the plans we accept: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/billing-insurance/insurance.html. Note, you will be responsible for any co-payments, co-insurance, or deductibles required by your insurance plan, for any services provided that are not covered by your insurance and for the cost of travel to get to and from Cedars-Sinai for any in-person visits or testing. For specific information on what your insurance plan covers, please contact your insurance company. Cash package rates are available for services not covered by your insurance.

  • Does the Undiagnosed Conditions program also provide treatment?

    The goal of the Undiagnosed Conditions program is to determine whether we may be able to offer services to assist with understanding of your condition and provide you with a written report summarizing a path toward achieving a diagnosis. However, this program’s services do not include making a specific diagnosis or providing any treatment services, and this program’s services end once you receive the written report which outlines a path toward achieving a diagnosis. If you decide to pursue the testing and evaluations that may be required to achieve the diagnosis and choose to pursue these at Cedars-Sinai, you may do so by seeking these services at our facilities. In addition, the program’s clinical leader will work with your treating physician to make sure they are aware of the program’s written report and the outlined path toward achieving a diagnosis.

  • 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.

  • I have additional questions, who can I ask?

    Our team can be reached at email secondopinion@cshs.org or call us at: 310-423-4654 and we will be sure to connect you with an appropriate team member who can answer your questions.

Virtual Second Opinions are not covered by insurance, but other options may be eligible

Our Virtual Second Opinion service is unique by providing a high level of personalized service and giving you an accelerated second opinion report from the comfort of your home. Call us if you are interested in learning more about an in-person consultation, which may be eligible for insurance coverage at 310-423-4654.

Get Started