Second Medical Opinion
Why use Second Medical Opinion?
If your client is unsure about a diagnosis, they can ask for a Second Medical Opinion. A consultant will provide a comprehensive review of their current medical information, diagnosis and treatment plan and, if appropriate, will suggest other investigations or treatment options that may help.
How does the Second Medical Opinion process work?
If your client has concerns about their diagnosis or treatment plan, or if they would simply value another point of view, their case manager can help them to seek an alternative opinion from the most appropriate expert globally.
They will independently review all of the medical documentation provided by your client and produce a report that will then be shared with them.
It could be that they agree with the original diagnosis or treatment plan, in which case it will help reassure your client that they're taking the right steps. If they disagree it empowers your client to make decisions on their healthcare.
Second Medical Opinion benefits
- Peace of mind that the correct diagnosis and treatment plan is in place.
- Offers clients more choice when making health decisions with alternative options that may not be available in the UK.
- Access to a pool of global experts.
- Comprehensive report and recommendations.
Keep in mind
- Covers cancer, heart surgery, neurosurgery, bone marrow transplant and live-donor organ transplant.
- This service is available once per unique diagnosis.
- Other Accelerate services are available if the Second Medical Opinion report recommends treatment that is not available in the UK.
What are the next steps following a Second Medical Opinion?
Following the review the next steps are one of the following:
- The client receives assurance that the diagnosis and treatment plan are the right ones and continues with their treatment.
- Additional investigations are suggested and the client may choose to use the Private Diagnostics Plus service.
- An alternative treatment or treatment plan has been recommended. The client may choose to use the Global Treatment Plus service, public healthcare or private provision to deliver this.
- A recommendation for the client to use the Precision Cancer medicine service.
Learn more about the other services Accelerate has to offer:
Virtual Consultant
Following a referral from a GP or physician to investigate symptoms related to cancer, heart or neurological conditions:
- Fast access to UK consultants, meaning your client gets a quicker diagnosis.
- Your clients choice of who they see.
- A case manager can help guide your client through the process.
Private Diagnostics Plus
Following the Virtual Consultation:
- Fast access to diagnostics tests.
- Access to tests that might not be available through public healthcare.
- Your client can choose a testing centre that’s most convenient for them.
Precision Cancer Medicine
On diagnosis of cancer:
- Understand the genetic make-up of the cancer to allow for a personalised treatment plan and a more accurate diagnosis.
- If the cancer has a hereditary or genetic component, siblings and children may also have testing and counselling, to help them make decisions about their future health.
Cancer Clinical Trial Support
If no approved cancer treatment available:
- Opportunity to receive treatments not yet available.
- Access to trials overseas as well as in the UK.
- Help with navigating the process of sourcing relevant and available clinical trials.
- A case manager will arrange the logistics of the trial.
- Travel with up to two family members or companions, (three if the claim is for a child).
- Travel, accommodation and daily allowance covered.
Global Treatment Plus
On receiving treatment plan recommendations:
- Medical treatment for cancer, heart surgery, neurosurgery and selected transplants at some of the leading hospitals in the world.
- The chance to receive treatments that might not be offered through public healthcare in the UK.
- Travel with up to two family members or companions, (three if the claim is for a child).
- Travel, accommodation and daily allowance covered.
- Follow up care and continuing medication expenses are also covered.
Protection help point and proposition support
For queries relating to new business applications, including web support queries or if you’d like to find out more about any part of our Protection Proposition, click the contact form and one of our Protection team will get back to you.
Useful links
Claims
Visit our claims page for information on how to claim and up to date claims statistics.
Zurich Support Services
An independent team of counsellors, advisers and legal experts are there for your client and their family.
Advice matters
Read the latest protection news from our experts and from around the industry.