According to a survey in India, nearly 514 million were covered under health insurance schemes. Taking up a medical insurance policy has become a necessity now. When we get any illness or disease the first thing we do is go to the doctor. However, it is crucial to note that a patient suffering from any complex or chronic disease should always take a second opinion from other doctors.
So, what is a second opinion? It is nothing but taking an opinion of a doctor other than the patient’s current doctor. The second doctor reviews the patient’s medical records and gives an opinion about the patient’s health problem and how it should be treated. Note that, for everyday health care, you probably don’t need a second opinion. But considering getting a second opinion may be a good idea if you are deciding about a costly or risky test or treatment, like a surgery. Second opinions help when you are not clear about how well a test or treatment may work.
Most medical insurance policies include second opinion cover for surgery or any other medical procedures. You will not be able to seek a second opinion cover if it is regarding prescription drugs. Getting a second opinion on health insurance does not involve extra charges, as it will already be covered in the medical insurance policy. However, it is advisable to check with your medical insurance provider before seeking a second opinion, if you want to consider having that reimbursed under the policy.
Reasons why you should include a second opinion cover in your medical insurance policy:
1. Consultation from Specialists: A specialist is a person who has in-depth knowledge of a particular study or occupation. When we are diagnosed with complex illnesses. Consulting a specialist will not only help us figure out the exact problem but will also we can rely on and trust them because of their expertise. Therefore, if you need a sustainable treatment it is advisable to get consulted with a specialist for complex diseases.
2. Different Views: In instances of complex diseases, it can be possible that the treatment/medication does not suit the patient and may have side effects on the patient’s body.
Before making a decision, and moving ahead with the process make sure you collect opinions from other specialist doctors as well. This is because doctors can have different views on treatments and diseases based on their expertise.
3. More information: More information better the awareness and precautions can be taken. Getting a second opinion consultation from other doctors will help you gain a lot of information such as about diet, medicines, diagnosis, treatments, side effects, etc.
4. Combination of treatments: Based on the patient’s diagnosis and illness doctor can suggest differently or combination of treatments for the particular condition.
Diseases generally covered in second opinion cover in a medical insurance policy:
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Paralysis
- Tumor
- Coma
- Total Blindness
- Major Organ Transplant
- End-Stage Lung Failure
- Benign Brain
- Myocardial infarction
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
- Heart Valve Replacement
- End-Stage Renal Failure
- Motor Neuron Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Major Burns
With the increasing medical fees and expenditures, one may not be able to bear the huge medical expenses, when comes to the above complex diseases. It can be possible, that you can avoid surgery, or you may also not be sure whether to go ahead with the process advised by the current doctor or not. Also, if one wants to get a second opinion one might fear the fees it involves to consult another doctor, given that super specialists consultations often involved multiple visits and are fairly expensive. Hence second opinion cover comes into the picture under and along with the medical policy. If you are diagnosed with any of the above-listed medical conditions, you can opt for a second opinion and the results will be sent to you without any charge.