These are your Medicare rights when it comes to getting a second opinion.
That means they make mistakes.
In the hospital, diagnostic errors are even more common.
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You are still subjected to the20% Medicare Part B coinsuranceyou would pay for any other outpatient medical care.
Specifically, Medicare will pay for aboard-certified physicianto review any existing data regarding the medical condition in question.
More information may also be sought, including a physical examination and, in some cases, additional tests.
This may or may not involve multiple providers.
For clarification, a second opinion refers to an evaluation by a doctor in the same field of medicine.
A family physician referring you to an oncologist, for example, is not considered a second opinion.
Consultation with a second oncologist for the same medical problem, however, would be.
Think of it as a tiebreaker.
What Medicare will not do is tell you which provider to pick in the end game.
The final decision is yours to make.
you’re free to go back to the original provider or continue care with the second opinion provider.
If you choose to pursue surgery, Medicare will then decide whether or not to cover it.
Medicare often does not pay for repeat testing either.
Medicare may not see the medical need to repeat the mammogram for the new doctor to make a decision.
Making a Decision
Surgery is not something to be taken lightly.
There could be complications and of course, there will be downtime required for recovery.
you oughta be comfortable that you are making the best decision for you.
The same goes for any other medical tests or treatments that are recommended to you.
To makeeducated choices about your health, you may need more information or reassurance regarding your medical options.
To prevent bias, it is preferable to seek a second opinion outside of your provider’s health system.
This is because Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurers, not the federal government.
Some Medicare Advantage plans do not cover out-of-data pipe care at all, unless it’s an emergency.
The ones that do will generally have significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for out-of-connection care.
Summary
Not every recommended non-emergency surgery will require a second opinion.
Medicare will support you as you get checked out.
Medicare.gov.Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans.
