When and why you should get a Second Medical Opinion

A Second Medical Opinion is advisable when:

• You want to confirm your existing diagnosis
• You have a complex medical condition
• You have been offered several treatment options and you must decide on one
• You wish to have the best possible treatment options
• Your treatment involves surgery or could have lifelong consequences
• You’re not responding to treatment as expected
• The recommended treatment is risky, controversial, or experimental
• You’ve been diagnosed with a rare disease or life-threatening condition such as cancer

It is important that you keep asking questions, and the following is a good place to start:

• Is my diagnosis correct?
• I’ve been recommended a treatment plan. Are there other alternatives?
• What are the benefits and risks involved with the treatments being recommended?
• What happens if I wait and see or opt for no treatment?
• Are there any clinical trials available?
• Is surgery really necessary?
• What is the prognosis?
• Why is your opinion different?

Advances in medicine are continuing every day at a rapid pace, and medical knowledge is always changing with newer treatments coming down the line, including clinical trials. Medical opinion can therefore differ from one doctor to another.

The opinions of doctors are based on factors such as the type of advanced technology available, their school of thought and where they were trained, as well as methods of treatment together with the experience of treating the particular condition.

Mr. Lee is a 45-year old man who had severe itching and rashes on and off for two years and could not identify the cause. He saw multiple specialists (dermatologists and allergists) who gave him varying diagnoses including food allergies. Mr. Lee requested a Second Medical Opinion to determine what further tests he might need, confirmation of his diagnosis, and a possible treatment plan.

Two experts were consulted. Both of them agreed he did not have food allergies and that further food allergy tests should be cancelled. Based on his medical reports, lab results, and description of his skin issues, the experts agreed he had a different kind of chronic allergy not diagnosed by his treating doctors.

Me Lee was very happy he could show his physicians his Second Medical Opinion report that had new tests and medications recommended by the experts to try to help improve his skin condition.

AJ noticed a significant loss of sight in his right eye. His ophthalmologist diagnosed him with an intraocular tumour and he underwent the recommended treatment plan without any improvement. He wanted a Second Medical Opinion.

His case was evaluated by three specialists, two in the US and one in Spain. All three agreed on an alternative treatment. AJ followed their recommendations and today his tumour has shrunk and he is recovering his sight. 

If you are unsure about a particular diagnosis or surgery that has been recommended for you, our Second Medical Opinion service is designed to provide you with expert medical advice when you need it most.

You will be able to consult internationally renowned specialists to confirm your diagnosis, advise you on the best treatment options and resolve any queries you have from the comfort of your home.

Here is how the process works:

1. Reach out to us: Contact our 24/7 helpline or utilise our second medical opinion services to express your interest
2. Coordination and documentation: An Allianz coordinator will respond to your request, guiding you through the necessary documentation. You will receive a secure link to upload your compiled medical reports and any essential diagnostic tests, such as biopsy samples or imaging studies.
3. Case review: Based on your submitted documtents, our dedicated Allianz doctors will review your case to ensure it meets all the criteria for a second medical opinion.
4. Approval and file completion: Once your case is approved, our medical team will verify that all files and reports are complete. If additional information is needed, we will contact you for further documentation.
5. Expert evaluation: We will forward your case to a trusted third-party partner, who will identify a qualified doctor to review your case.
6. Second opinion report: The selected doctor will provide a comprehensive second medical opinion based on the reports and data you have provided in collaboration with Allianz. This report will be send back to us.
7. Personalised support: Your dedicated Allianz doctor will reach out to discuss the second medical opinion results with you to answer any questions, clarify medical terms, and support you through the process.
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