NYU Langone Orthopedic Second Opinion Service

Perhaps your doctor has told you that you need surgery, or you have an injury or condition that keeps recurring even after treatment. Navigating healthcare issues like these can be challenging and time consuming. When you have questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment plan, a second opinion can help you make important decisions about your care.

NYU Langone’s online second opinion service gives you access to the expertise and guidance of renowned orthopedic surgeons from anywhere in the United States. As one of the top-ranked orthopedic programs in the country, our specialists care for tens of thousands of people each year, providing the most advanced and innovative surgical procedures and treatments. Our surgeons are experts in all areas of orthopedic care, from joint replacements and bone fractures to spinal disorders and sports injuries.

Our orthopedic surgeons review your medical records and provide a personalized second opinion report to you and your treating physician. A second opinion can confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan, or provide different recommendations that you can review and discuss with your doctor.

Get a Second Opinion Online

You can get an online orthopedic second opinion from NYU Langone without leaving home or traveling for an in-person visit with a specialist. We collect your medical information for your second opinion and send the report through our secure portal, NYU Langone Health MyChart.

To get started, request a second opinion. Getting your second opinion can be completed in a few steps:

• Create an NYU Langone Health MyChart account
• Tell us about your health history and medical condition
• Provide your medical records, imaging exams, and contact information for one of your treating physicians
• Receive your written second opinion

We select the doctor who specializes in your condition to review your information and prepare your second opinion. You can ask this expert to answer specific questions about your condition and treatment plan, and get detailed responses.

Our coordinator is available to help guide you through the second opinion process, and with gathering your medical information for the expert to review. After receiving your information, our coordinator will follow up within three business days to confirm that your submission is complete. If additional information is needed, the coordinator can work with you to gather and provide the necessary information.

Your second opinion report is usually ready within five business days after receipt of your completed submission.

Orthopedic Second Opinion Cost

The cost of an orthopedic second opinion is $1,500. This fee includes:

• a review of your medical records and imaging exams
• an expert evaluation of your case by an NYU Langone orthopedic surgeon
• a detailed written report

You can ask the expert to answer up to five questions in your second opinion report. You provide these questions along with your medical information for the expert to review.

Payment is due when you submit your information. Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of a second opinion, and we are unable to provide a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code. However, you may be able to use a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for the second opinion. If we are unable to provide a second opinion for any reason, we refund your payment.

After you receive your second opinion report, if you wish, we can help you schedule a visit with the specialist who provided your second opinion. This appointment is separate from the second opinion service and is not included in the cost of your second opinion.

Information and Imaging Requirements

To ensure we have the right information to provide a thorough review, we ask you to gather your medical records from your previous doctors and be prepared to submit them. This includes imaging studies and reports, a copy of your operative report if you have had surgery, a copy of your discharge summary if you were hospitalized, a summary of your doctor’s current treatment plan, and a list of all your medications.

You must have imaging studies, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds, available for the second opinion expert to review. Our secure portal, NYU Langone Health MyChart, allows you to upload these imaging studies and submit them with your second opinion information. You can also upload other relevant medical records and history, such as lab results. For uploading images and files, we recommend that you use MyChart on a laptop or personal computer, instead of a phone or tablet. This provides the best experience and ensures you have access to all features in MyChart. 

NYU Langone’s Orthopedic Second Opinion Service does not create a physician–patient relationship between you and the NYU Langone orthopedic surgeon who rendered your second opinion. To get a second opinion, you must provide the contact information for a physician whose care you are currently under. NYU Langone will send a copy of the second opinion report to this doctor. You review the second opinion and decide whether to discuss it with your treating physician or another doctor of your choosing.  

Online Second Opinion Availability

You must be age 18 or older to be eligible for NYU Langone’s online second opinion service. We are not currently able to offer this online service outside the United States, or in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

If you would prefer an in-person visit with an NYU Langone orthopedic surgeon, you can browse our list of doctors or call 646-929-7800.

By completing the process to request a second opinion and submitting payment, you acknowledge and agree to the above terms and conditions.