When should I consider a second opinion from UNMC?
I like my doctor, why should I get another opinion?
Can I request a second opinion for someone else?
Who provides the consultation?
How do I get my medical records from my doctor’s office, the laboratory, or the hospital?
How do I get the results of my second opinion?
Will my information be shared with anyone else?
If I decide I want to come to UNMC for a face to face examination or for treatment, how do I do it?
When should I consider a second opinion from UNMC?
UNMC physicians have been providing second opinion consultations for many years. The staff physicians at UNMC are considered experts by national and international colleagues. The research conducted at UNMC is cutting edge in the development of quality patient outcomes. Our staff members are dedicated educators, researchers, clinicians and patient advocates. Our pathology and laboratory services are second to none. We have world renowned scientists and the most technologically advanced equipment available for the careful diagnosis of even the most difficult diseases. You should consult with an expert any time you feel as though you have a question that can’t be answered by your own physician or a diagnosis that is not clearly defined.
Your Patient Rights:
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You have the right to a second opinion at any point in your care.
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You have the right to select the pathologist who is making the diagnosis.
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The site of your biopsy has the obligation to forward the tissue and/or blood specimen to the consulting center you select.
I like my doctor, why should I get another opinion?
Your health is not necessarily about a popularity contest, how much you like your doctor or what your friends or family recommend. In many instances our patients face life or death decisions. It can be very reassuring to seek the opinion of another expert to confirm a diagnosis just as it is important to get a correct diagnosis.
The diagnosis of cancer entails an attempt to accurately identify the site of origin of the cancer with in the body. This is called the primary site. The reason you sought care from your doctor could have been because you were experiencing symptoms of some sort.. Just because one part of your body is not feeling well doesn’t mean that that site or organ is the primary site. Cancer can spread from one area of the body to another without you knowing it.
A consultation is not worth much unless it is given by someone with the knowledge of and expertise in treating your condition. At UNMC you will seek consultation from a physician who is a qualified specialist, board certified and approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. By choosing a UNMC consultant who is board certified in the appropriate specialty, you know that he or she has completed years of residency training and practice in his specialty and has demonstrated his competence by successfully completing a rigorous examination.
The Cancer Research Institute reports,"it’s always wise to get a formal second opinion on how your cancer should be treated. A second opinion is particularly important if your cancer was discovered by a doctor without much experience in dealing with your type of cancer. New developments in cancer treatment are happening so fast that it's practically impossible for every doctor to be aware of all the most up-to-date ways to deal with the disease. And when you get a second opinion, the doctor giving it should automatically reevaluate your diagnosis to make sure that it's accurate."
The American College of Surgeons states you should seek a second opinion (or consultation) if you have doubts about whether the operation or treatment should be performed, or if the doctor recommending the operation is not a qualified surgeon, you may want to seek consultation.
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What are the indications for the treatment or operation?
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What, if any, alternative forms of treatment are available?
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What will be the likely result if you don't have the treatment or operation?
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What are the risks? Long term and short term?
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How is the treatment or operation expected to improve your health or quality of life?
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Are there likely to be residual effects from the proposed method of care?
As the patient yourself or as a significant person in a patient’s life, we are here for you. You may contact us at any time and expect an acknowledgement within 48 hours. We highly encourage that you contact the treating physician in your home town and request a physician to physician case review and second opinion. This way all your questions will be clearly defined and there will be someone close by to interpret the consultation if necessary.
Can I request a second opinion for someone else?
Yes, you can request a second opinion for some one else provided you have their permission. Unless you are a parent or legal guardian, the patient must be over 18 years of age (19 years of age in Nebraska) and that person must submit a signed proxy form to be faxed to us. We cannot proceed with a third party without the proxy form signed by the patient or the legal guardian. The signature of two witnesses is required. Please click here to review and print out a PROXY FORM.
Who provides the consultation?
We have exceptional teams in all areas of medicine including leukemia/lymphoma and cancer care, orthopedics, neurology and epilepsy treatment solid organ transplant, surgical oncology, and minimally invasive surgical techniques and cardiology. 182 Best Doctors in America* and 1,000 Healthcare Specialists in 34 sub-specialties are available to help you obtain the best treatment options. UNMC specialists are committed to providing collaboration and expert opinion to all who need this invaluable resource.
We offer four different services in our consultation and second opinion program. You may request any combination. However, if you have cancer it is most desirable to have our pathologists review your microscopic (biopsy) slides. THE UNMC Regional Pathology Laboratory houses the most state of the art equipment available.
Case review and treatment recommendation consultations are available in all areas of medicine and 34 subspecialties. A physician expert here at UNMC will go over your case very carefully taking into consideration all the notes from your physician(s), laboratory, pathology, radiology, nuclear medicine images and reports and make treatment recommendations for you. Click here to register for a 2nd Opinion Consultation.
We provide state-of-the -art pathology review for diagnostic confirmation or in many cases diagnostic revision. Your physican sends us tissue specimen from biopsy radiology and nuclear medicine consultation. In many instances, if your results from your local pathologist are difficult to read, they will re-stain and confirm or refine the diagnosis that was presented. The ultimate goal is a definitive diagnosis. Then the oncologist or physician specialist can develop an optimal treatment plan.
Molecular Diagnostics - This site provides information regarding the molecular diagnostics services available atUNMC.31 Specialty trained pathologists are available in the following anatomic disciplines:
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Breast Pathology
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Gastrointestinal Pathology
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Neuropathology
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Gynecologic
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Cytopathology
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Dermatopathology
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Hematopathology
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Transfusion Medicine
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Nephropathology
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Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology
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Urologic Pathology
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Surgical Pathology
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Surgical Pathology
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Cytopathology
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Clinical Chemistry
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Mass Spectroscopy
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Transplantation
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Hematology
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Electrophoresis
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Medical Microbiology
We understand the importance and time sensitivity of this information to you or your patient. Our goal is to return a consultation and treatment recommendation response within 72 to 96 hours. Pathology and genetics testing take a bit longer and the length of time expected will be communicated on an individual case basis.
We provide quick consultation and second opinion services in all fields of medicine at heavily discounted prices for our international strategic partnership institutions and other healthcare professionals. The prices depending on the type of consult requested. It is our intent to offer the most reasonable and competitive pricing for the services we provide. Payments may be made by checks, bank drafts, major credit cards, bank or wire transfers or cash.
UNMC shall use and disclose protected health information in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 requirements (HIPAA) to maintain confidentiality and protect patient's privacy. We adhere to the highest standard of privacy. All medical records and communications take place on a secure network. Upon request, a hard-copy of the second opinion is sent to the patient's primary care provider.
How do I get my medical records from my doctor’s office, the laboratory, or the hospital?
To acquire duplicates of your personal medical records or tests please contact your physician’s office or the place where your tests were performed. Each institution has their own policy for medical record keeping and the compliance with HIPPA laws. In most facilities you will be required to submit a written request to each institution. You may have them make copies of your records and you may mail them in a packet to us or you may request that they fax or mail the information to us. We will request your personal information including the following:
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Dates of service
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Laboratory reports
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MRI, CT and/or PET images with reports
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X-Rays and reports
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Specimen blocks with corresponding reports
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Progress notes
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Admission and discharge summaries
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The request should be printed out and sent to them by fax, e-mail or postal service. If you need assistance please contact us at 402-559-3090 and ask for the Second Opinion Coordinator.
How do I get the results of my second opinion?
Your Second Opinion reports will be sent to your physician that sent us the records. It is very important that information determined from review and analysis be communicated between health care professional so that the patient may have the opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification.
Will my information be shared with anyone else?
Your information will only be shared with key physicians and the second opinion coordinator here at UNMC and your referring physician at home. All information is communicated via the secure website which encrypts all data and is sent to us and from us. We strictly adhere to all patient privacy guidelines provided for in the HIPPA Act.
If I decide I want to come to UNMC for a face to face examination or for treatment, how do I do it?
We welcome the opportunity to provide you with care at UNMC! Our second opinion coordinator can discuss all aspects of your care including special considerations such as:
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Review of medical records
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Updates to referring Physicians
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Language interpretation
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International air ambulance, if needed
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Help with visa
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Cost estimate, billing and payments
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Help with insurance programs
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Use of business and resource centers
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Hotel and other local accommodations
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Transportation and travel arrangements
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Special diets
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Patient and family support programs
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Other concierge type services