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The Global Insight

How much does a 2nd opinion cost?

Author

James Williams

Updated on April 01, 2026

A medical second opinion costs $565, while a consultation with a pathology review costs $745. Face-to-face meetings with specialists who provide a second opinion and review a patient’s medical record are more likely to be covered by insurance than an online consult, but nothing is guaranteed.

Is SecondOpinions com legit?

SecondOpinions.com is amazing. I’ve used them on three different occasions and they’ve thoroughly impressed me every time. I work full-time and enjoy it but life dealt a couple of knocks along the way that resulted in a dozen surgeries. As part of those adventures I’ve had three dozen MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays.

Who pays for a second opinion?

“In general, health plans do pay for second opinions,” says Robert Zirkelbach of America’s Health Insurance Plans, a health insurance company lobbying group.

Does insurance pay for second opinions?

Most health insurance plans will pay for a second opinion, but be sure to contact your plan beforehand to find out for sure. In some cases, if you don’t get a second opinion for a procedure, you may have to pay a higher percentage of the cost.

What do I need for a second opinion?

Groopman: Absolutely. One, you need all the medical records and any pathology slides or other test results to give to whoever is giving the second opinion. Two, you want the experts to discuss in an open way what the areas of agreement and disagreement are.

How much does it consulting cost per hour?

One data point: A partner at a small management or IT consulting firm (maximum sales: $10 million) charges $294 per hour on average, while an entry-level consultant goes for $175 per hour, according to Kennedy Information, a market research firm that publishes comprehensive industry reports that run into the thousands of dollars.

When to ask for a second opinion about a diagnosis?

If you’re restricted, or in a situation where the diagnosis is not clear, or you feel the best treatment exists at another institution, then you need to advocate for yourself quite loudly. WebMD: A recent study of biopsy slides at Johns Hopkins published in the December 1999 issue of the journal Cancer showed a surprising rate of misdiagnoses.