Ask a Health Advocate: What's the value of a second opinion?

That's a great question--and one that's been in the news lately, too.

For example, a recent New York Times article touched on the case of Andrew Schorr, showing exactly why second opinions are so important. In 1996, Schorr, a specialist in health communications, had been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which is incurable. His cancer doctors recommended that he immediately undergo chemotherapy.

But Schorr turned to the internet, scouring forums for more information on his disease and how it can be treated. Other chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients spoke highly of a Dr. Michael J. Keating, and soon Schorr hopped a plane from Seattle to Houston to get advice from Dr. Keating. Dr. Keating didn't recommend aggressive treatment like chemotherapy--instead, he recommended no treatment until and unless Schorr's condition worsened. After 4 years, Schorr's condition did indeed worsen, and Dr. Keating treated him with 6 months of standard chemotherapy for leukemia as well as an experimental medicine called Rituxan. This treatment has kept him alive and well, and had he undergone the immediate chemotherapy that his cancer doctors were calling for, he would not have been eligible for Dr. Keating's treatment--and he also may not have been able to father his third child, a son who is now 14 years old.

Getting a second opinion regarding recommended medical care can be beneficial in so many ways. It can:

* Help you save money--the provider who gives you their second opinion may recommend less costly treatment

* Help you be more comfortable--your "second opinion" provider could suggest treatment options that are less invasive, less aggressive, and with fewer side effects

* Verify that treatment is even necessary--sometimes a provider will instead recommend a period of "watchful waiting" before having you undergo any treatment

* Confirm your original medical diagnosis to verify that it is correct

* Recommend an experimental treatment that your previous provider may not have been aware of

Your health advocate (which can be a friend, family member, other person who's close to you, or a representative from an advocacy service) can help you obtain a second opinion from a reputable medical professional. By handing this task over to a health advocate, you can focus on resting and feeling as well as possible. Let your health advocate:

* Research other medical providers to verify that they are in-network with your insurance and are properly certified

* Find out if your insurance plan requires you to have referrals--if so, an advocate can help secure those references for you

* Call those medical providers to set up appointments for you

* Talk with the medical provider about any pre-visit testing or lab work

* Take you to and from those appointments and keep you company in the waiting room

* Take notes during your appointments

* Help you gather your medical records and information so that you're giving each doctor the most up-to-date information

* Help you clarify your health plan details so you can understand what procedures and tests are covered, and help you estimate any out-of-pocket costs you may incur

* Look over any Explanation of Benefits forms and/or medical bills to ensure that they don't contain any erroneous charges

Clearly a second opinion can be quite valuable, and having a reliable health advocate at your side can help you simplify and streamline the process of getting a second opinion.

Have a question about how health advocacy can benefit you? Send your questions to nhess@healthadvocate.com!