How to get a second medical opinion

Decide whether a second opinion is right for you, and find a credentialed specialist.

Step-by-step

1. Step 1: Decide if a second opinion is warranted

   Strong candidates: a new cancer or serious diagnosis, a recommended surgery, a treatment that's not working, a diagnosis you don't understand, or a rare condition. Many insurance plans cover second opinions for major diagnoses.

2. Step 2: Gather your records

   Collect imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray) on a disc or in your patient portal, lab results, pathology reports, and the first opinion's notes. The second specialist needs the underlying data, not just the conclusion.

3. Step 3: Choose a specialist with relevant expertise

   For cancer, an NCI-designated cancer center is the gold standard. For surgery, choose a high-volume surgeon. GProv's Find Care directory lets you filter by sub-specialty and accepted insurance.

4. Step 4: Request the second opinion through GProv

   GProv's Second Opinion service connects you with credentialed specialists in your insurance network. You can upload records securely and book the consult through the platform.

5. Step 5: Ask the right questions

   Bring a written list: 'What is the diagnosis and how confident are you?', 'What are the treatment options and trade-offs?', 'What would you do if you were me?'. Take notes or bring someone to listen.

Why this matters

This is the kind of question GProv is built to answer. Our AI assistant Appi can guide you through this in real time, and our Find Care directory lets you act on the result — book an appointment, check a coverage detail, or share records — without leaving the platform. Free for patients, with end-to-end PHI encryption (AES-GCM 256) and BAA-only AI routing for any provider-bound questions.