Getting a Second Opinion
Sometimes
it is helpful to have 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 be
able to suggest a doctor who specializes in adult or childhood leukemia. 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.")
< Previous Section | Next Section > |