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 person with a brain tumor can request a consultation with a team of
specialists in NCI's Neuro-Oncology Branch of the Warren Grant
Magnuson Clinical Center at the National Institutes
of Health in Bethesda, Maryland (301-402-6298).
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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