Perhaps your doctor has told you that you need surgery, or you have an injury or condition that keeps recurring even after treatment. Navigating health issues like these can be challenging and time-consuming. When you have questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment plan, a second opinion can help you make important decisions about your care.
NYU Langone’s online second opinion service gives you access to the expertise and guidance of renowned orthopedic surgeons. As one of the top-ranked orthopedic programs in the country, our specialists care for tens of thousands of people each year, providing the most advanced and innovative surgical procedures and treatments. Our surgeons are experts in all areas of orthopedic care, from joint replacement and bone fractures to spinal conditions and sports injuries.
Our orthopedic surgeons review your medical records and provide a personalized second opinion report to you and your treating physician. A second opinion can confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan or provide different recommendations that you can review and discuss with your doctor.
Get a second opinion online
You can get an online orthopedic second opinion from NYU Langone without leaving your home or traveling to see a specialist in person. We collect your medical information for your second opinion and send the report through our secure portal, NYU Langone Health MyChart.
To get started, get a second opinion. Getting your second opinion can be done in several steps:
- Create an NYU Langone Health MyChart account
- Tell us about your health history and medical condition
- Provide your medical records, imaging, and contact information for one of your treating physicians
- Get your written second opinion
We choose the doctor who specializes in your condition to review your information and prepare your second opinion. You can ask this expert to answer specific questions about your condition and treatment plan and get detailed answers.
Our coordinator is available to help guide you through the second opinion process and gather your medical information for the expert to review. After receiving your information, our coordinator will contact you within three working days to confirm that your submission is complete. If additional information is needed, the coordinator can work with you to gather and provide the necessary information.
Your second opinion report is usually ready within five business days of receiving your completed submission.
Orthopedic costs for a second opinion
The cost of an orthopedic second opinion is $1,500. This fee includes:
- review of your medical records and imaging examinations
- expert evaluation of your case by an NYU Langone orthopedic surgeon
- detailed written report
You can ask the expert to answer up to five questions in your second opinion report. You submit these questions along with your medical information for the expert to review.
Payment is due when you submit your information. Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of a second opinion and we are unable to provide a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code. However, you may be able to use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for the second opinion. If we cannot provide a second opinion for any reason, we will refund your payment.
After you receive your second opinion, if you wish, we can help you schedule a visit with the specialist who provided your second opinion. This appointment is separate from the second opinion service and is not included in the cost of your second opinion.
Information and Image Requirements
To ensure we have the correct information to provide a thorough review, we ask that you gather your medical records from your previous doctors and have them ready to submit. This includes imaging studies and reports, a copy of your operative report if you had surgery, a copy of your discharge summary if you were hospitalized, a summary of your doctor’s current treatment plan, and a list of all your medications.
You should have imaging studies, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds, to be reviewed by the expert for a second opinion. Our secure portal, NYU Langone Health MyChart, allows you to upload these imaging studies and send them with information for your second opinion. You can also upload other relevant medical records and history, such as lab results. To upload images and files, we recommend that you use MyChart on a laptop or PC rather than a phone or tablet. This provides the best experience and ensures that you have access to all features in MyChart.
The NYU Langone Orthopedic Second Opinion service does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and the NYU Langone orthopedic surgeon who provided your second opinion. In order to get a second opinion, you must provide the contact information of a doctor whose care you are currently receiving. NYU Langone will send a copy of the second opinion to that physician. You review the second opinion and decide whether to discuss it with your treating physician or another physician of your choice.
Availability of second opinion online
You must be 18 or older to be eligible for NYU Langone’s online second opinion service. We are currently unable to offer this online service outside the United States or in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
If you prefer an in-person visit with an NYU Langone orthopedic surgeon, you can view our list of doctors or call 646-929-7800.
By completing the second opinion request process and submitting payment, you acknowledge and agree to the above terms and conditions.