Patients can get the second opinion directly from the site, from the expert who did the second opinion or from their treating physician. 24 hours to two weeks. Some sites offer access to well-published experts practicing at academic medical centers and teaching institutions. Other experts are practicing pathologists and oncologists in solo or group practice, or who have founded commercial laboratories. Some sites allow that, others do not.
Prices vary widely.
Not all sites disclose their fees online. Insurers generally pay for second opinions only within their networks. Some sites prefer to recruit and identify experts on their own, while others welcome inquiries from interested physicians who meet their posted criteria. The sites said their experts face the same exposure as any physician. Some sites said they had general business liability or professional liability coverage or both.