We have never been in a situation where we have had to get a second opinion from a doctor/specialist, so I am totally ignorant of the protocol or process.
First of all, who do we ask for a referral to a second specialist?
How do we determine which *type* of doctor from whom to get the second opinion? (oncologist? surgeon? ???)
Does insurance usually pay for a second opinion or is it an out of pocket expense (typically)?
Are there doctors who resent anyone second-guessing them? If so, any advice about handling that situation?
getting a second opinion - how?
Pearlgirl,
When I was diagnosed I got a 2nd opinion (verbal-over the phone) with the Mayo Clinic. I too didn't know what to do. Many times people will get a 2nd opinion with a major cancer center. Sometimes you can get a referral from your primary doctor or even the doctor who is treating you now for your problem. From what I understand, most doctor do not take it personal if you want a 2nd opinion and will be glad to assist and offer advice.
Insurance should pay for a 2nd opinion, along as the doctor is on their insurance plan.
Hope this helps some.
Lee
When I was diagnosed I got a 2nd opinion (verbal-over the phone) with the Mayo Clinic. I too didn't know what to do. Many times people will get a 2nd opinion with a major cancer center. Sometimes you can get a referral from your primary doctor or even the doctor who is treating you now for your problem. From what I understand, most doctor do not take it personal if you want a 2nd opinion and will be glad to assist and offer advice.
Insurance should pay for a 2nd opinion, along as the doctor is on their insurance plan.
Hope this helps some.
Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!
Wow
Pearlgirl,
Welcome to the Colon Club.
First, please excuse this question but what were you diagnosed with?
Second, depending on what stage in your journey you are in will determine what specialist you will get a second opinion from.
Next, the insurance company does not need to know whether this is your first, second, third, etc opinion. Rather, you simply need to find out if the doctor of choice is covered under your policy. You may call the 800 number on the back of your insurance card. I would answer the first two questions before you proceed.
Yes, their are doctors who may recent having their opinion questioned. This "resentment" should not meet your "so test." So what if they get upset, your dx and wellness are not about them but rather you. Be proactive in the management of your health. Ask questions, lots of them and demand answers for which you are completely satisfied with.
Hope this helps!
Holly
Welcome to the Colon Club.
First, please excuse this question but what were you diagnosed with?
Second, depending on what stage in your journey you are in will determine what specialist you will get a second opinion from.
Next, the insurance company does not need to know whether this is your first, second, third, etc opinion. Rather, you simply need to find out if the doctor of choice is covered under your policy. You may call the 800 number on the back of your insurance card. I would answer the first two questions before you proceed.
Yes, their are doctors who may recent having their opinion questioned. This "resentment" should not meet your "so test." So what if they get upset, your dx and wellness are not about them but rather you. Be proactive in the management of your health. Ask questions, lots of them and demand answers for which you are completely satisfied with.
Hope this helps!
Holly
Long response - sorry!
Thanks for your replies.
It is not I but rather my husband who has been diagnosed with colon cancer (although the disability form the dr. filled out said "rectal cancer"?). I guess it's colorectal. He had a resection last week and 10" of colon and the upper end of the rectum were removed. He does not have an ostomy.
He had symptoms which led to a colonoscopy; the colonoscopy discovered benign polyps, which were removed, also a mass which obstructed his colon by 80%. It was this mass which precipitated the surgery.
Blood vessels and lymph nodes were also removed to be tested. It has been just over a week and we have no pathology reports yet, due to "technical difficulties at the lab", according to the surgeon's nurse. She couldn't be more specific, and when I asked that the doctor call the lab to find out more, she said the other nurse had called about several other test results and was told the same thing.
DH is still holding out hope that the mass is not cancer. The gastroenterologist who did the colonoscopy told him he was certain it was cancer. The surgeon said (prior to the surgery) that there's always a chance it's not, but when we asked about the test results while DH was in hospital, he said we wouldn't know at what stage DH is in his illness until the reports come back. That, to me, implies it *is* cancer, if he's talking about "stages". Then there is that disability form the surgeon filled out, stating "rectal cancer" as the dx...
So far, DH has seen our PCP, the gastroenterologist and a general surgeon who came very highly recommended. The surgeon said there would be follow-up with an oncologist, and I asked if that process could start while DH was in the hospital. Unfortunately, although I spent most of each day with my husband while he was hospitalized, I was never once there when the doctor visited. No referral has been made to an oncologist so far.
I'm just really not sure where to go from here. I am not aware of any cancer centers nearby (south central Pennsylvania). Much hinges, I guess, on the pathology results.
Prior to surgery, the surgeon spoke of post-surgery chemo as practically inevitable. Speaking with me immediately following surgery, he said DH may not need chemo. At 46, I think DH is young enough that aggressive treatment, including chemo, should be seriously considered. He is otherwise healthy and physically strong.
There have been no x-rays or PET or CT scans done, nor a CEA test - only the colonoscopy and a CBC prior to surgery. I wonder about that... wouldn't those tests tell much about what is going on "in there"?
Re: insurance -- we have an HMO plan which requires referrals to specialists, so I guess, as I think about it, we'll have to go through our PCP...
Any other replies, suggestions or comments are welcome. Thanks for "listening".
pearlgirl
It is not I but rather my husband who has been diagnosed with colon cancer (although the disability form the dr. filled out said "rectal cancer"?). I guess it's colorectal. He had a resection last week and 10" of colon and the upper end of the rectum were removed. He does not have an ostomy.
He had symptoms which led to a colonoscopy; the colonoscopy discovered benign polyps, which were removed, also a mass which obstructed his colon by 80%. It was this mass which precipitated the surgery.
Blood vessels and lymph nodes were also removed to be tested. It has been just over a week and we have no pathology reports yet, due to "technical difficulties at the lab", according to the surgeon's nurse. She couldn't be more specific, and when I asked that the doctor call the lab to find out more, she said the other nurse had called about several other test results and was told the same thing.
DH is still holding out hope that the mass is not cancer. The gastroenterologist who did the colonoscopy told him he was certain it was cancer. The surgeon said (prior to the surgery) that there's always a chance it's not, but when we asked about the test results while DH was in hospital, he said we wouldn't know at what stage DH is in his illness until the reports come back. That, to me, implies it *is* cancer, if he's talking about "stages". Then there is that disability form the surgeon filled out, stating "rectal cancer" as the dx...
So far, DH has seen our PCP, the gastroenterologist and a general surgeon who came very highly recommended. The surgeon said there would be follow-up with an oncologist, and I asked if that process could start while DH was in the hospital. Unfortunately, although I spent most of each day with my husband while he was hospitalized, I was never once there when the doctor visited. No referral has been made to an oncologist so far.
I'm just really not sure where to go from here. I am not aware of any cancer centers nearby (south central Pennsylvania). Much hinges, I guess, on the pathology results.
Prior to surgery, the surgeon spoke of post-surgery chemo as practically inevitable. Speaking with me immediately following surgery, he said DH may not need chemo. At 46, I think DH is young enough that aggressive treatment, including chemo, should be seriously considered. He is otherwise healthy and physically strong.
There have been no x-rays or PET or CT scans done, nor a CEA test - only the colonoscopy and a CBC prior to surgery. I wonder about that... wouldn't those tests tell much about what is going on "in there"?
Re: insurance -- we have an HMO plan which requires referrals to specialists, so I guess, as I think about it, we'll have to go through our PCP...
Any other replies, suggestions or comments are welcome. Thanks for "listening".
pearlgirl
Hey Peargirl,
When I was diagnosed a year ago, we definately wanted a second opinion as far as oncology was concerned. We had an HMO as well. We were told to see another local oncologist, but our mission was to see an oncologists who specialized in Colon cancer. We flew to Georgetown 2 weeks post op and paid out of pocket the expenses to the physician and fought with insurance later. After months of fighting, we did not get reimbursed, but it was worth every penny, and peace of mind. It is another set of eyes looking at your scans, slides from pathology, etc, and giving a treatment plan. I did all of my care in my city, but stayed in touch with the oncologist out of town. They do this alot and are glad to work with you.
Good Luck.
Suzie
When I was diagnosed a year ago, we definately wanted a second opinion as far as oncology was concerned. We had an HMO as well. We were told to see another local oncologist, but our mission was to see an oncologists who specialized in Colon cancer. We flew to Georgetown 2 weeks post op and paid out of pocket the expenses to the physician and fought with insurance later. After months of fighting, we did not get reimbursed, but it was worth every penny, and peace of mind. It is another set of eyes looking at your scans, slides from pathology, etc, and giving a treatment plan. I did all of my care in my city, but stayed in touch with the oncologist out of town. They do this alot and are glad to work with you.
Good Luck.
Suzie
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