Our online second opinion program offers patients access to leading specialists at UCSF Health, no matter where they live. If you are facing a complex medical issue or difficult treatment decision, having a second opinion from a world-class academic medical center can provide valuable guidance and peace of mind.
UCSF has partnered with Grand Rounds to provide this service. Grand Rounds takes care of gathering the patient's relevant medical records and coordinates the entire process. The service is simple, convenient and completely confidential. Since everything is done remotely, patients don't need to travel to San Francisco.
The second opinion service can be very helpful if:
Note: If you prefer to make an in-person appointment, please call (888) 689-8273 for help finding a doctor or search our doctors and clinics online.
Get an online second opinion in four steps:
1. Create an account, then open your case by clicking the green button on the patient dashboard. If you need help, call Grand Rounds at (800) 941-1383 (domestic) or (775) 440-2557 (international). They are available 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday.
2. You will be prompted to provide an email address, basic patient information, locations of your medical records and any specific questions you have about your condition.
3. Grand Rounds collects all your medical records and chooses the most appropriate UCSF Health doctor to review your case. Everything is handled securely to protect your privacy.
4. The UCSF Health physician reviews your diagnosis and compiles your treatment plan. He or she will provide clear medical guidance in the form of a written second opinion, addressing the specific questions you submitted.
During the process, you will be assigned a personal care coordinator and staff physician from Grand Rounds. They will be your points of contact and will assist you throughout the process – handling logistics, collecting records, answering any questions and ensuring your needs are fully met.
The timing varies, depending on how quickly Grand Rounds is able to collect the relevant medical records. Once that process is complete, most patients receive their written second opinions within seven to ten business days.
Your Grand Rounds personal care coordinator will keep you updated on the status of your request. You can also log in to your secure account at any time to track the progress of your second opinion.
An online second opinion from UCSF Medical Center costs $700. The following services are included:
In rare cases, the UCSF Medical Center physician reviewing the case suggests another review of radiology or pathology results. If this occurs, your personal care coordinator will contact you regarding the additional fees for these services.
Currently, most health plans do not cover online second opinions or consultations, so patients are responsible for the cost. Payment is due when your second opinion request is submitted.
All major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover) are accepted. You may also use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for the service. UCSF Medical Center will not file a claim with your insurance carrier, nor can we provide a procedure (CPT) code for the online second opinion service.
Medical records must be submitted in English. Please arrange for your records to be translated by a qualified medical translator before submitting them for review. You may use any qualified service of your choice, or contact Lan Do & Associates for assistance.
The UCSF Medical Center specialist may agree with your original diagnosis and treatment plan, offering you peace of mind that you are making the right decisions regarding your medical care. It is also possible that the UCSF specialist will agree with the initial diagnosis, but will offer different or additional treatment recommendations. Or, the specialist may have a different diagnosis entirely, and will recommend a different course of treatment.
Whatever the outcome, once you receive the report you should schedule time with your local health care provider to review the recommendations and work together to come up with the best treatment approach for your case.
If you decide to come to UCSF Medical Center for treatment, you will likely see the same physician who provided your online second opinion. However, please call the clinic beforehand to confirm that the physician is still the appropriate specialist for your case and is available to meet with you.
Note: Do NOT use this service for medical emergencies or if you need immediate treatment guidance. If this is a medical emergency, please call your local emergency service number (911 in the U.S.) or go to the nearest emergency room.
