A second medical opinion can help you overcome your uncertainties about a procedure. We’ll show you what rights you have.
Doctors can make mistakes in their prognosis that can have serious consequences for you. It makes sense to get the opinion of other doctors, especially in the case of planned operations or serious diagnoses. This way you can be sure that the proposed therapy is right for you.
During the second opinion, you decide for yourself whether you want to take up the offer or not. If you wish, your treating doctor will provide you with all the findings needed for the second assessment.
Second medical opinion: Statutory health insurance
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If you are legally insured, you are entitled to a second medical opinion for certain planned operations. Your health insurance company will cover the costs. According to the Pharmacy Umschau, these include:
- Tonsil operations
- hysterectomies
- Arthroscopic procedures on the shoulder
- Amputation in diabetic foot syndrome
- Implantation of a knee endoprosthesis
- Surgery on the spine
- Catheter-assisted electrophysiological cardiac examinations and cardiac ablations
- Implantation of a pacemaker, defibrillator or CRT device
- Gallbladder removal
Your treating doctor must inform you at least 10 days before the operation that you can seek advice from specially qualified doctors. This way you can find out whether the procedure is necessary and whether there are alternative treatment options.
This regulation does not apply to emergency operations. For other procedures, you also have the right to a second opinion, but you may have to pay for it yourself. However, many health insurance companies also offer a second opinion as an additional service. Find out from your health insurance company about the options available.
This is the rule for private insurance
If you have private insurance, it depends on your insurance whether and to what extent you can request a second medical opinion. Therefore, find out from your insurance company in advance what conditions apply and whether you need to apply for cost coverage.
If you can’t get the costs covered, you can still get a second opinion, but you’ll have to pay for it yourself. The amount of the costs depends on the type of examination and advice. You should therefore get a cost estimate beforehand and check whether you can afford the second opinion.
How do you find a second medical opinion?
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If you would like to obtain a second medical opinion, you must contact a doctor who is approved for the structured second opinion procedure. These doctors must be particularly qualified and independent. You also need approval from the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
In order to receive this approval, doctors must demonstrate certain requirements set out in the second opinion directive. You are not allowed to obtain a second opinion from a doctor or a facility where the procedure is to be carried out.
You can find out which doctors are allowed to give a second opinion for the respective procedure due to their special qualifications and independence on the website of the medical on-call service.
Important: If you are unsure about an operation or therapy, do not hesitate to get a second opinion. It is your right to inform yourself and make your own decisions.
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