Understanding Virtual Second Opinions
A virtual second opinion gives you direct access to a Cleveland Clinic expert physician from the comfort of your own home. Have your diagnosis and treatment plan reviewed by a world-class specialist, without having to travel.
You may benefit from a second opinion if you:
- Have been diagnosed with a serious or rare health condition (a diagnosis is required for a second opinion).
- Have a condition that is not improving or is getting worse despite treatment.
- Have been told a health condition is not treatable.
- Are considering a treatment that involves significant risks, such as surgery.
- Need guidance choosing from multiple treatment options.
- Want confirmation about a diagnosis or treatment.
Virtual second opinions benefit you by:
- Providing confirmation or clarification of a diagnosis and/or treatment for your peace of mind
- Giving you virtual access to Cleveland Clinic’s world-renowned medical expertise
- Increasing your awareness of potential alternative treatments
- Helping you to save time and avoid the stress of gathering records—we handle everything for you
You can request a virtual second opinion for almost any diagnosed health issue, including cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions, orthopedic issues, rare diseases, and more. No matter the diagnosis, our experts are here to help you find peace of mind.
Eligibility and Access
Concierge Plus (Report + Virtual Visit) option is available in these states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV. In rare cases, a virtual visit with the Cleveland Clinic physician may not be possible due to physician availability. In these cases, you will receive the written report and be refunded the price difference of $200.
Concierge (Report only) option is available in these states/territories: AK, AL, AR, DC, DE, HI, IA, ID, KS, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, UT, VT, WA, WY.
We cannot offer our services in these states: ME, SD, RI. While we are working hard to make our services available everywhere, if you currently live in one of these states, you may seek an in-person second opinion at one of Cleveland Clinic’s locations.
We offer our written report option to international patients, for USD 4,500. International patients upload their medical records in English through our secure online platform. A nurse care manager reviews your case and matches you to a Cleveland Clinic consulting physician specialized in your specific condition.
Our international service is available globally except in the following countries: Australia, China (Hong Kong is eligible), Germany, Denmark, Greece, Iran, North Korea, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Sweden, and Turkey.
You may also obtain an international second opinion if you are located in these U.S. territories: AS, GU, MP, PR, and VI.
Click here to get started.
We expect that the services provided by The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic, a separate entity from Cleveland Clinic, are not covered by Medicare or certain commercial insurance as they do not meet the prescribed criteria for reimbursable services or are otherwise omitted from coverage. If you are a Medicare participant, you can obtain a virtual second opinion by The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic as a self-paid service but agree not to otherwise bill or attempt to get reimbursement from Medicare.
Yes. Virtual second opinions are available for all patients, regardless of citizenship status.
Yes. It’s not uncommon for people to have already started treatment when they contact us for confirmation of a diagnosis or a better understanding of additional treatment options.
At this time, our Virtual Second Opinion service is not available for individuals who are currently hospitalized. We understand that seeking a second opinion during a hospital stay can feel urgent, but our process is designed for thoughtful, in-depth case reviews—which typically take up to 2 weeks to complete. If you’re in the hospital and need immediate input, we recommend speaking directly with your current care team or requesting a consult through the hospital. We’d be happy to support you with a second opinion once you’re discharged, if and when that feels right.
Process and Logistics
World-class Cleveland Clinic specialists can analyze any diagnosed health issue, and our streamlined, hassle-free process minimizes unnecessary time gathering records. And with the industry-leading end-to-end turnaround time, you do not have to wait to turn questions and anxiety into peace of mind and a path forward. We typically deliver second opinions in just a few days once complete records are collected. Depending on your situation, record collection may take some time, and in that case, the entire second opinion service takes about two weeks.
All you need to get started is to register and set up your live intake session with a care manager. We will take it from there and get you started.
1-minute program overview video: Click here.
3-minute user experience demo video on how to get started: Click here.
International patients, click here for more information.
After you enroll, our team will guide you through each step. It starts with an intake visit, where a Nurse Care Manager will learn about your diagnosis and ask what questions you’d like the Cleveland Clinic physician to address. Thinking about those questions in advance can help streamline the process and get you answers faster.
We typically deliver second opinions in just a few days once records are collected. Depending on your situation, record collection may take some time, and in that case, the entire second opinion service takes about two weeks.
After reviewing your second opinion report, if you receive an alternative diagnosis or recommended treatment, you should discuss the findings with your current physician, and then decide on your next steps. You may also choose to schedule an in-person visit at Cleveland Clinic.
Yes! We’re able to offer video visits in these states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV. The video is dependent on physician availability, and will be confirmed by your care team once you start your second opinion process.
With your consent, our team will collect all your pertinent medical records, and the Cleveland Clinic expert specialist assigned to your case will thoroughly review them before providing their opinion.
We always suggest that you discuss the recommendations shared in your virtual second opinion with your local treating physician. In addition, in some cases, they will need to sign a VSO (Virtual Second Opinion) request form to get your case started and will receive a written report at the end.
Medicine is a collaborative team sport, so there is no reason to feel strange that you are asking another for their opinion. It is your health, and if you aren’t 100% sure of your diagnosis or completely comfortable with your treatment plan, a virtual second opinion is a great way to explore your options.
Your Nurse Care Manager works with our Chief Clinical Officer to match you with one of 3500 Cleveland Clinic expert specialists, experienced in your specific condition. In many cases, these doctors will be sub-specialists with deep experience to provide you with a high-quality second opinion.
We will match you with the best available expert. However, if you have a specific Cleveland Clinic physician in mind, let us know during your intake session, and we’ll check their availability.
While there is no formal expiration date, we do encourage you to act in a timely manner. Your diagnosis or treatment plan may evolve over time if your condition changes, so it’s best to use the information soon after receiving it.
Cost and Insurance
We understand that everyone’s healthcare journey is unique. That’s why we offer two concierge Virtual Second Opinion (VSO) services: Concierge and Concierge Plus.
Our Concierge VSO option costs $1,690 (flat fee) and includes:
- Live video intake with a registered nurse to get started.
- Concierge medical records collection service (our hassle-free process keeps you from spending unnecessary time gathering records)
- A nurse and a care coordinator to help you each step of the way
- Expedited match and review of your condition by a Cleveland Clinic physician, specialized in your specific condition.
- A written second opinion report, and an opportunity to ask follow-up questions.
Our Concierge Plus option costs $1,990 (flat fee) and includes:
- Everything included in Concierge VSO, plus
- A virtual visit with the Cleveland Clinic physician to review their recommendations on your diagnosis or treatment plan, on a live video call (or phone call upon request)
You will not be charged until after your virtual intake visit with the nurse, and you may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours after your intake. To cancel, please call us at (866) 887-1572.
International patients – click here.
If your employer offers this service as part of your benefits package, the service may be of no or lower cost to you. Please check with your employer.
No, insurance does not cover this concierge second opinion service. Our team cannot file a claim with your insurance carrier or provide a procedure (CPT) code for our service.
However, if your employer offers this service as part of your benefits package, the service may be of no or lower cost to you. Please check with your employer.
You may also be able to pay with your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). If you are not sure if you have an FSA or HSA or your filing requirements, please talk to your employer, insurance provider or accountant. You are responsible for determining if this service is a Qualified Expenditure and any taxes, penalties, fines or surcharges according to applicable federal and state law for utilizing it for a Non-Qualified Expenditure.
No. Insurance is not required to access our virtual second opinion services.
International second opinions are delivered via a written report only. The cost is USD $4500. Patients upload their medical records in English through our secure online platform.
Support and Security
To speak with a member of our team, please call 866.887.1572 or contact us online.
Yes. Your second opinion from The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic will be provided by a world-renowned expert using your complete medical history, offering you trusted insights to help you move forward with peace of mind.
Results and Next Steps
67% of virtual second opinions recommend a diagnosis or treatment plan change.
When appropriate, your specialist will outline alternative treatment recommendations for your unique medical situation.
We cannot guarantee it, but we are happy to connect you with the right staff at Cleveland Clinic to get the process started.
The Clinic is an innovative joint venture owned by Cleveland Clinic, a world-renowned multispecialty academic medical center and Amwell, a global leader in telehealth.
