A second opinion from a private specialist is one of the simplest and most worthwhile steps before a major medical decision, and yet many people hesitate to ask for one. Some fear offending their treating doctor, some do not know what to bring, and many have no idea what it should cost or what exactly they receive in return. In this article we explain what such a visit costs and why, how to prepare so that you get the most out of it, in which situations a second opinion actually changes treatment, and what to do when the two opinions contradict each other.
What a second opinion is, and what it is not
A second opinion is an independent review of the diagnosis and the treatment plan by another specialist, based on the same data: the medical history, the tests, the imaging and the physical examination. The second doctor does not come to replace the first, but to add an angle. Sometimes they confirm the recommendation, and that in itself is of great value, because it lets you go into surgery or start a medication with a clear mind. Sometimes they propose an alternative, reorder the sequence of steps, or point to a test that was never done.
A second opinion is not a routine visit to another specialist who starts the work-up from scratch, and it is not an arbitration between doctors. It is focused work on a defined question: is the diagnosis correct, is the proposed treatment the right one for me, and what are the other options. The more clearly the question is phrased, the more productive the visit.
What determines what you pay for a second opinion
There is no single tariff for a second opinion in Israel, and what you pay depends on several factors worth knowing so that you can compare options properly:
- The field and the specialist: a consultation with a senior physician, a department head or someone who focuses on a narrow sub-specialty is more expensive than a consultation with a general specialist in the same field.
- The volume of material: reviewing a thick file, several imaging studies and hospital discharge summaries takes time, so some doctors charge for a complex consultation as a long visit.
- Physical examination or document review only: in some fields an opinion can be given on the basis of documents; in others the physical examination is an essential part of the answer.
- Additional tests: if the doctor performs a further examination during the visit, it is charged separately.
- A detailed letter: a written opinion intended for the treating doctor, a committee or an insurer takes time to write, and is sometimes charged separately.
Before booking, ask reception what the payment includes and what it does not, and whether the centre offers a consultation in the relevant field as part of its how to get a second medical opinion in Israel service. In addition, private health insurance policies (Harel, Phoenix, Menora and others) usually refund part of the payment for a specialist consultation, according to the terms of the policy, so keep the receipt and the visit summary.
What to bring to the visit
Preparation is what separates a good second opinion from a wasted visit. The second doctor relies on the material you bring, and whatever is missing cannot be filled in on the spot. A basic list:
- The visit summaries from the first doctor, including the diagnosis and the recommendation as they were written, not as they are remembered.
- Results of blood tests and other tests from the past year, sorted by date.
- Imaging: not only the written report but the images themselves, on a disc or via a link, because a specialist prefers to see with their own eyes.
- The pathology report if a sample was taken, and if possible a request to transfer the slides for a repeat review.
- An up-to-date list of medications, including supplements, and a list of allergies.
- One page of your own: what the central question is, what interferes with daily life, and which three questions you want answered before you leave.
Those who arrive with that last page usually leave with answers. Those who arrive without it remember on the way home what they forgot to ask.
For English speakers in Israel there is one more practical point: ask in advance that the written summary be produced in English if you intend to share it with family abroad or with a doctor overseas, and bring translations or at least a brief English summary of Hebrew documents from the health fund.
When a second opinion actually changes the treatment
Not every situation calls for another opinion, and in many cases the first doctor was entirely right. There are several situations in which the advantage is clear. The first is when surgery or an irreversible procedure is proposed, from a joint replacement to spinal surgery. The second is a diagnosis of a chronic disease that requires medication for years, such as an inflammatory joint disease or an endocrine disorder, where it is worth confirming the diagnosis before starting. The third is a treatment that is not working: pain that persists, values that will not balance, symptoms that return despite treatment. The fourth is a gut feeling that something does not add up, that the symptoms do not match the explanation, or that you never received an explanation at all.
In these situations a second opinion may change the priorities, replace medication with conservative treatment or the other way round, suggest the one test that settles the question, or confirm the existing plan and lift the doubt from your shoulders. That last outcome is also a success. Read more in our guide to private specialist consultations in Israel.
What to do when the opinions differ
When the second doctor recommends something different, the patient is left in the middle, and that is uncomfortable. A few rules help. First, ask each doctor to explain not only what they recommend but why, and what evidence or experience stands behind the recommendation. Second, check whether the difference lies in the diagnosis or only in the approach to treatment; disagreement about treatment is common and legitimate, disagreement about the diagnosis calls for further work-up. Third, you may and should pass the second opinion to the first doctor and ask for their response. Good doctors are not offended by this; they see it as part of the job.
In complex cases you can involve your family doctor as someone who knows you over time and can weigh things up, or ask that the doctors consult each other directly. And sometimes, in a genuine disagreement over a weighty question, a third opinion is not excessive.
How to proceed after the visit
The second opinion is worth the money only if it enters your file and drives action. Ask for a clear written summary, pass it to the treating doctor and to your family doctor, and make sure the recommendations turn into referrals, prescriptions or a documented decision. If the decision is to stay with the original plan, note for yourself why, and which signs would make you revisit it.
At EliteMed, in the Yishpro Center, Ayala 360 complex, Building B, 5th floor, in Modi’in, specialists from many fields work under one roof, so that in many cases you can obtain a second opinion in one field and complete a work-up in a neighbouring field at the same place, with consultations held in English. You can read more in our complete guide to private specialists in Modi’in. The information here is general and does not replace an examination and advice from a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to tell my first doctor that I am seeking a second opinion?
It is not mandatory, but it is advisable. Most doctors see it as a natural part of decision making, and sharing allows the full material to be transferred and lets you return to them with the second recommendation. In any case, your medical file belongs to you and you are entitled to receive all the documents.
Can I get a second opinion based on documents alone, without a physical examination?
In some fields yes, for example when the question is the reading of an imaging study or the interpretation of blood tests. In fields where the physical examination is part of the diagnosis, such as orthopedics or pain medicine, the doctor will want to examine you. The booking conversation clarifies what suits your question.
Does private health insurance refund a second opinion?
Most private health insurance policies (Harel, Phoenix, Menora and others) include participation in consultations with a private specialist, and some have a dedicated clause for second opinions, subject to the policy’s ceilings and the number of consultations per year. Group policies through an employer also often cover it. Check with the insurer before the visit.
What is the difference between a second opinion and a consultation with another specialist?
A regular consultation starts the work-up from the beginning. A second opinion focuses on a defined question, on the basis of a diagnosis and a recommendation that have already been given, and examines whether they are correct and what the alternatives are. That is why preparation and the material you bring matter so much.