Why would I need a Second Opinion?

A 1999 study of cancer patients nationwide by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that 1.4% of pathology results – or 30,000 patients – were misdiagnosed annually. And 20% of the recommended treatments for cancer patients were also incorrect, the study found. The risk of mistakes varies by type of cancer. In the same study, biopsies involving the female reproductive tract were particularly prone to mistakes, with an error rate of 5.1%. Skin cancer had a pathology error rate of 2.9%.

It is difficult to estimate an exact figure, but it is believed that several thousand patients each year are seriously misdiagnosed. "It translates to one patient a week coming into Hopkins with a wrong diagnosis," says Jonathan Epstein, a Professor of Pathology, Urology and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University, who has spearheaded much of the research on pathology errors. "If you're that one patient it makes all the difference in the world."

What is the promised turn-around time for a Second Opinion?

The promised turn-around time for a Second Opinion is 5-7 business days after receipt of medical records by the World Leading Medical Center.

What happens if the Second Opinion differs with that of my treating physician?

Dr. Joseph Kvedar, Director of Telemedicine for Partners Healthcare (a Harvard Medical School affiliate), says this happens up to 30% of the time. The additional information contained in the Second Opinion often provides important peace of mind to the patient’s family and may lead to the pursuit of a new treatment approach locally.

Think your doctor may not be telling you everything?

The American Medical Association’s Institute of Ethics asked this question in a survey of doctors: "What does a doctor do when faced with a patient who would benefit from a medical service that is not going to be covered [by their insurance or HMO]?" Some 42 percent of the doctors said they "never withheld any information". But 58 percent of the surveyed doctors admitted that they have withheld information from their patients (8% said "rarely", 23% said "sometimes", and 8% responded that they withheld information "often or "very often").

This information was reported on CNN’s program "American Morning" on July 10, 2003, at 8:46AM Eastern Time by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

What is included in MediGuide’s Second Opinion service?

MediGuide will collect information on your needs, assemble medical records, and identify hospitals that have the expertise needed to address your case. Upon receipt of a Second Opinion, if follow up diagnostics or treatment is required, MediGuide will help to identify hospitals best suited to provide care. If necessary, MediGuide will assist in scheduling admission and provide other logistical support.

Will my medical records remain private?

Yes. All of our processes and procedures are in compliance with state and federal guidelines governing the disclosure of personal medical information.

Do I have to collect all my medical records by myself?

If you do not have your medical records available, a MediGuide case manager will facilitate the process by contacting your treating physician. You will have to provide the physician name and contact information and authorize release of the medical records to the Medical Center you have selected.

Is MediGuide insurance?

No. MediGuide is not insurance. You or your insurance company will be directly responsible for payments related to medical treatment provided by any Medical Center.

What if I change my mind and want my money back?

You will receive 100% of your money back if you choose to cancel your Membership within 30 days. You may cancel your Membership at any time after that and you will receive a refund of any unused portion of your annual Membership fee.