Second Opinion Services

When a Member asks us to secure a Second Opinion, the Member will advise us of his or her diagnosed condition and their wishes and needs. Based upon the information you supply to our medically trained staff, MediGuide will identify at least 4 World Leading Medical Centers that possess the narrow expertise needed to offer a Second Opinion on your particular illness or medical condition. We will supply you with background information on each hospital. You alone, or with the input of your physician and family, will then select which one of the 3 Medical Centers you wish us to use.

The MediGuide medically trained case worker assigned personally to you will then coordinate the collection of your relevant medical records and test results. Your treating physician’s role in your care will be respected, and your doctor will be paid by MediGuide to help to facilitate and expedite the collection of the necessary medical records. MediGuide will arrange for those records to be sent by overnight courier directly from your treating physician to the selected Medical Center.

Within 5 to 7 business days from the receipt of all the necessary records, the Medical Center will issue its written opinion which will be sent directly to you and your doctor.

Travel Benefits

In the event that during the review of your records, the Medical Center finds it necessary for the Member to travel to that hospital so as to perform a physical exam or other tests, MediGuide will pay for that transportation. We also will make all the arrangements. MediGuide will pay those expenses even if the Medical Center requires us to charter a plane and staff it with the necessary doctors and nurses to make the trip safe and comfortable.

As for the costs for the physical examination or the additional tests, those will remain the responsibility of the patient’s insurance carrier or the patient, depending upon the terms of your insurance coverage.

Hospital Referral Services

Even if a Member does not obtain a Second Opinion, upon a Member’s request, MediGuide will provide the names and specific contact information for at least three highly regarded hospitals that meet the required diagnostic or treatment capabilities for the particular illness or condition that the Member has been diagnosed with. If a Member has secured a Second Opinion and wishes to obtain follow-up diagnostics or treatment, MediGuide will identify for the Member several hospitals well suited to provide such care. You alone, or in consultation with your physician and family, will select the Medical Center you prefer.

MediGuide believes the value of this service is quite a bit greater than meets the eye. For example, some say that there are 16 distinct specialties in pediatric care. While hospitals that specialize in pediatric care may have the capacity to treat in all 16 areas, one hospital may be more focused and expert in 4 of those 16 specialties, while another children’s hospital is stronger in a different 2 of those 16 conditions. How could you be expected to know that? MediGuide knows. MediGuide has researched the different strengths possessed by hospitals, and is prepared to share this knowledge with its Members.

This Benefit applies to the illnesses and medical conditions outlined for the Security and SecurityPLUS Membership plans.

Important Timing Notice:

You must become a Member prior to the onset of the illness in order to take advantage of all Membership Benefits.