FAQs for Patients and Families About Online Second Opinion
What if I prefer to see a physician face to face at CHLA?
You are welcome to schedule an in-person appointment at CHLA. To explore your options, please call 323-660-2450. If you obtain an online second opinion and would like to proceed with treatment at CHLA, our coordinator will assist you through this process.
Can I meet or contact the specialist who provides the online second opinion?
During the online second opinion process, your point of contact at CHLA will be our case coordinator. You and your provider should submit all medical record information and questions in your request. Our coordinator will then work closely with you to ensure that all your questions and concerns are addressed. If you would like to receive medical services at CHLA, please contact onlinesecondopinion@chla.usc.edu. Our coordinator can assist you with an onsite appointment and provide information for patients traveling to receive care at CHLA.
What is the cost of an online second opinion?
Our price for an online second opinion is $875 via HSA account or credit card. You will need to submit your credit card/debit card information at the time you submit your request, but your card will not be charged until a CHLA team member has reviewed your request and reviewed the charges with you. We are not able to charge your insurance for this service; however, we will be happy to provide you with a superbill/receipt for you to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
There is no cost for online second opinions conducted by CHLA’s Heart Institute specialists.
How long will it take to get my online second opinion?
The typical turnaround time is 10 business days after the specialist receives all medical records and information. Cases that include additional services, such as an imaging and pathology review, may require a longer turnaround time.
How do you choose which specialist will provide the second opinion?
Our coordinator works closely with our medical teams to determine the most appropriate specialist based on your medical situation. We will try to accommodate any requests for a specific physician, but we cannot guarantee that the physician will be assigned to your case. If you make a request that we are unable to accommodate, our coordinator will notify you prior to assigning the case and charging your credit/debit card.
My child lives outside the United States. Can I still use this service?
Currently, we only offer this service to patients who live in the United States outside California. We plan to introduce this service for other countries soon. International families may be interested in CHLA’s Global Health Program to inquire about visit and treatment options.
Are there any states where you do not offer this service?
If you live in Alabama, Alaska, Maine, New Mexico or Tennessee, we are not able to provide online second opinions to you at this time due to state regulations. These states are excluded from this service because of state policy limitations on rendering second opinions. If your child lives in one of those states, our web form will not allow you to complete an online second opinion request.
Can my medical records or second opinion report be sent in a language other than English?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept medical records or translate second opinions into languages other than English at this time.
NOTE: For urgent or emergent issues, please call 911 or seek local medical care. This Online Second Opinion service is only for requests that are not time sensitive. We receive and respond to requests during regular business hours.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email onlinesecondopinion@chla.usc.edu. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST.
