Virtual Second Opinion

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Virtual Second Opinion forPediatric Spinal & Brain Conditions

Get a Virtual Second Opinion for pediatric spinal & brain conditions from the experts at Cedars-Sinai. As one of the nation’s top-ranked hospitals for pediatric care, we provide the opportunity to review your diagnosis and explore personalized treatment options. Connect with our pediatric specialist, all from the comfort of your home.

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How Virtual Second Opinion works

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1

We’ll retrieve your health records

We’ll contact you within one business day to schedule an intake assessment with your nurse coordinator.

2

We'll match you with a doctor

Based on your specific diagnosis, we’ll pair you with a Cedars-Sinai doctor who is an expert in your condition.

3

Receive your Virtual Second Opinion report

The doctor will prepare your personalized Virtual Second Opinion report after a thorough review of your medical records.

4

Attend a virtual education session

You’ll meet virtually with the doctor to understand the details of your Virtual Second Opinion report and review the three questions you submitted. This virtual educational session is optional.

View Example Report

Meet our world-class specialists

A Virtual Second Opinion for pediatric spinal & brain conditions includes matching you to the expert doctor whose expertise best fits your needs.

Doctor Michael Alexander, MD

Vice Chair, Neurosurgery

Michael Alexander, MD

Specialty

Radiology, Neurosurgery

Experience

20+Years

Education

Georgetown University Hospital, School of Medicine

Doctor Nestor Gonzalez, MD

Director, Neurovascular Laboratory

Nestor Gonzalez, MD

Specialty

Neuroradiology, Neurosurgery

Experience

15+Years

Education

Universidad del Rosario

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Our expertise in pediatric care

Cedars-Sinai has over 100 years of expertise and insight with pediatric conditions. After you complete the Virtual Second Opinion process, your options may include:

  • Innovative Microsurgeries

    • Micro-neurosurgery for brain pathology

    • Micro-neurosurgery for spinal cord pathology

  • Minimally Invasive Options

    • Minimally invasive endoscopic intraventricular surgery

You're in good hands

  • hospital badge

    Tied for #1 in California

  • hospital badge

    9 years in a row on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll

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What can I expect from seeking a Virtual Second Opinion?

  • More comprehensive options for surgery

  • Minimally invasive options for surgery

  • Objective perspectives on advantages and disadvantages of certain treatments

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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.

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.

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