Not Just a Second Opinion ... A Second Chance.
When you are fighting cancer, you want to be reassured that your treatment plan is right for you. Our cancer experts can help.
Right now, our leading cancer experts are available to you for a second opinion from the comfort of your home through our telemedicine program (secure video appointments). Set up an appointment by calling 856.536.1214.
Gain the confidence a second opinion can give you by confirming your diagnosis and stage of cancer, as well as the treatment plan proposed by your current doctors. A second opinion may even reveal other treatment options available to you.
The MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Second Opinion Program makes it easy to connect with our team of cancer experts so you can make a more informed decision about your treatment options.
Cancer Is Relentless, But So Are We
In some respects, it seems like the world has stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. But cancer does not stop and neither do we. We are open. The team at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is here for you and we are providing the same services that are available under normal circumstances.
Getting a second opinion from us is easy and convenient.
The Benefits of a Second Opinion
A second opinion at MD Anderson at Cooper can:
- Give you confidence you are doing everything you can to beat your cancer.
- Make you feel more empowered and in control of your cancer diagnosis.
- Provide you with reassurance and peace of mind.
- Confirm or offer a different diagnosis. Our physicians, including radiologists and pathologists, specialize in particular types of cancer, including rare cancers, and use advanced studies such as genomic testing to identify characteristics in the make-up of your cancer, which could make a significant difference in determining the most effective treatment plan.
Why Get a Second Opinion?
Getting a second opinion at MD Anderson at Cooper means having a leading cancer specialist, or a team of specialists, review all of your medical reports and test results, give an opinion about your diagnosis, and suggest treatment options.
A second opinion may confirm your original doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan, provide more details about the type and stage of cancer, identify additional treatment options, or recommend a different course of action.
You may feel uncomfortable telling your current doctor that you want a second opinion. But doctors are used to hearing this request and often recommend that their patients get a second opinion. You will find that they will be supportive of your request.
For most people, delaying the start of treatment for a short time while you get a second opinion usually does not pose a risk, although you and your doctor can discuss your situation and decide how much of a delay is okay.
What to Expect During a Cancer Second Opinion Evaluation
During a second opinion evaluation at MD Anderson at Cooper, one of our cancer experts will talk with you through a telemedicine appointment and conduct a thorough evaluation of your current and past medical records and history.
He or she will collaborate will other members of the team specializing in your type of cancer to get opinions from our surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and other specialists. After a thorough assessment, our team will provide you with an independent diagnosis that includes the type and stage of cancer, and recommendations for treatment to provide you with the best possible outcomes.
Exploring a second opinion can help you make a more informed decision about your cancer treatment options. It can also introduce you to advanced treatment options including clinical trials that may not be available at other hospitals.
Insurance Coverage for a Cancer Second Opinion
Most insurance providers pay for a second opinion appointment, including a telemedicine visit. However, before making an appointment, ask your insurance provider about coverage. Ask if there is a requirement of selecting from a specific group of doctors. Some insurance providers even require a second opinion before they will pay for cancer treatment.
Preparing for Your Telemedicine Appointment: What You Will Need to Do
Our team will work with you and explain which of your medical records we will need to conduct a thorough second opinion evaluation and how to send your records to us. These records may include:
- Results of any tests or procedures you have undergone.
- Images from your most recent imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scan, PET CT scan, MRIs, and ultrasounds.
- Pathology slides from the biopsy used to determine your original diagnosis.
- A list of your current medications
- And for those patients who have started their cancer treatment, we will need information about your treatments – including chemotherapy and targeted therapies, radiation treatments, and your cancer-related surgeries.
Again, our staff is here to walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible for you.
Your Telemedicine Appointment
Our scheduling team will work with you to find a convenient day and time for your appointment with one of our physicians. We use a simple tool called WebEx to conduct the telemedicine visit. You can use a traditional landline phone for a call or a smart phone to conduct a video chat.
Our team will help you make the best choice and will assist you in connecting with the doctor. We will make it easy for you.
During your second opinion consultation, we invite you to have a family member or caregiver take part, as it can be helpful to have another person listen, take part in the conversation, and take notes.
We encourage you to ask questions, including asking the doctor to explain something that you did not fully understand. It is important to feel confident that you have the information you need to make the best treatment decision.
For a second opinion evaluation appointment at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, please call 856.536.1214.