Getting a Second Opinion
Before starting treatment, the patient
might want a second opinion about the diagnosis and the treatment plan. Some insurance companies require a second
opinion; others may cover a second opinion if the patient or doctor requests
it.
There are a number of ways to find a
doctor for a second opinion:
The patient’s doctor may
refer the patient to one or more specialists.
At cancer centers, several specialists often work together as a team.
The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can
tell callers about nearby treatment centers.
A local or state medical society, a
nearby hospital, or a medical school can usually provide the names of
specialists.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has a list of doctors who have met certain education and training requirements and have passed specialty examinations. The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists lists doctors' names along with their specialty and their educational background. The directory is available in most public libraries. Also, ABMS offers this information on the Internet at http://www.abms.org. (Click on "Who's Certified.")
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