Frequently asked questions

Answers to your questions on second opinion

• What is a second opinion? What can I expect?

  A second opinion is a double-check to make sure the diagnosis and treatment suggested by your doctor are correct and take into account all recent developments and medical knowledge on the issue. With Royal Doctors, this second opinion is provided by a highly specialized doctor with outstanding credentials.

• Why should I ask for a second opinion?

  Asking for a second opinion is a matter of being absolutely sure. Royal Doctors gets a specialist to review your case and check if your diagnosis is on par with all the knowledge and treatment methods that are available on the subject. Not because your doctor is likely to get it wrong. But because having two independent doctors assessing your medical file are likely to get it right.

• Is asking for a second opinion a sign of distrust?

  No. We believe asking for a second opinion is simply seeking reassurance. When shopping for the most basic tools, we check different suppliers and compare products – just to be sure. Why not do the same when your health is concerned?

  Asking for a second opinion doesn’t have to mean leaving your local doctor. In many cases the treating and the second opinion doctor get in touch and discuss the preferred treatment plan together.

• Why should I ask a second opinion here? My doctor already suggested someone to review my case.

  A second opinion should always come from someone who is completely independent from the doctor who gave you the initial diagnosis. This guarantees nothing but your medical file is taken into account when writing the second opinion report.

• Do I have the right to ask for my medical file?

  Yes. The data in your file are yours. You have every right to ask them from your doctor or local clinic. Some hospitals gladly send it to you upon first request. But it’s not always so easy. Royal Doctors gladly assists you in retrieving your medical data and preparing it for a second opinion review. We have special forms you can use. Or we literally jump in and call ourselves if needed.

• What happens with my medical files? Are they protected?

  Our staff handles your medical file with the utmost privacy. It’s our medical board, consisting of only doctors, that decides where the file should be sent. All our doctors are bound to the doctor-patient confidentiality principles and will never discuss your case with anybody else. You can be sure your privacy will never be breached.

• Who decides which doctor I get?

  All our 250 doctors are top in their field. It’s our experienced medical board that decides where your file is sent. We always attach a CV of the reviewing doctor to your second opinion report.

• Is my second opinion covered by my insurance?

  Yes, it usually is. Do check your policy though. We’ll make you an invoice that you can use to get reimbursed by your insurance company.

• Will I be able to read and understand the report?

  We suggest you discuss the report with your local doctor. But do tell us in which language you would like your second opinion report to be made up. We take care of translation if needed.

• Do I really get to skip the waiting list?

  Yes. The reason is simple. Because we’ve been working with patients, doctors and hospitals for years, we can predict how many second opinion reports we need for certain types of condition. And we already book time with our specialists six months in advance. When you need assistance, an open spot is always available.

• I’ve heard about an experimental treatment. Can Royal Doctors find me a specialist?

  Yes. Chances are we’ve already got one in our network. Because we’re always on the lookout for new developments. But if we haven’t already got a doctor that can assist you, we will go out of our way to find one in our large, international network.

• I've reported my case. Now what?

  We take over. Your e-mail will be in the hands of your case manager immediately. He will call you and guide you through the process of getting your medical file and sending it to the advisory board and the specialized doctor. You can ask him any question.