Does Medicare Pay For Second Opinions Before Surgery?

Medicare will cover the cost of getting a second opinion on surgery in certain cases. It will also help you pay for a third opinion if the first and second are in conflict. You will still be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs for the second and third opinion.

Terry Turner, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Terry Turner

    Terry Turner

    Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator

    Terry Turner has more than 35 years of journalism experience, including covering benefits, spending and congressional action on federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He is a Certified Financial Wellness Facilitator through the National Wellness Institute and the Foundation for Financial Wellness and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®).

    Read More
  • Edited By
    Lee Williams
    Lee Williams, senior editor for RetireGuide.com

    Lee Williams

    Senior Financial Editor

    Lee Williams is a professional writer, editor and content strategist with 10 years of professional experience working for global and nationally recognized brands. He has contributed to Forbes, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen.com, Electric Literature and The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs and published authors.

    Read More
  • Reviewed By
    Aflak Chowdhury
    Aflak Chowdhury

    Aflak Chowdhury

    Medicare Expert

    Aflak Chowdhury is a Medicare expert and independent insurance broker specializing in group health insurance. He has worked for major providers including Humana and Principal Financial Group and today works mainly in the small group market.

    Read More
  • Published: May 10, 2021
  • Updated: January 17, 2023
  • 4 min read time
  • This page features 4 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
Fact Checked

A licensed insurance professional reviewed this page for accuracy and compliance with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMGs) and Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) carriers’ guidelines.

Cite Us
How to Cite RetireGuide.com's Article

APA Turner, T. (2023, January 17). Does Medicare Pay For Second Opinions Before Surgery? RetireGuide.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/second-opinions/

MLA Turner, Terry. "Does Medicare Pay For Second Opinions Before Surgery?" RetireGuide.com, 17 Jan 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/second-opinions/.

Chicago Turner, Terry. "Does Medicare Pay For Second Opinions Before Surgery?" RetireGuide.com. Last modified January 17, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/second-opinions/.

Why Trust RetireGuide.com
Why You Can Trust Us

Content created by RetireGuide and sponsored by our partners.

Key Principles

RetireGuide’s mission is to provide seniors with resources that will help them reach important financial decisions that affect their retirement. Our goal is to arm our readers with knowledge that will lead to a healthy and financially sound retirement.

We’re dedicated to providing thoroughly researched Medicare information that guides you toward making the best possible health decisions for you and your family.

RetireGuide LLC has partnerships with Senior Market Sales (SMS) and GoHealth.

Our partners are able to be reached through the phone numbers and/or forms provided on our website.

The content and tools created by RetireGuide adhere to strict Medicare and editorial guidelines to ensure quality and transparency.

Editorial Independence

While the experts from our partners are available to help you navigate various Medicare plans, RetireGuide retains complete editorial control over the information it publishes.

We operate independently from our partners, which allows the award-winning RetireGuide team to provide you with unbiased information.

Visitors can trust our inflexibility regarding our editorial autonomy. We do not allow our partnership to influence RetireGuide’s editorial content whatsoever.

Does Medicare Cover Second Opinions?

Medicare Part B medical insurance will pay most of the cost for a second opinion in some cases. But there are certain criteria that have to be met.

All requirements that must be met for Medicare to cover a second opinion:
  • You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B.
  • The doctor giving the second opinion must accept Medicare.
  • The surgery or other treatment must be medically necessary.
  • It must not be emergency surgery.

Medicare will also cover its portion of the costs for additional tests the second doctor orders and any other services that are medically necessary.

If the first and second opinions are different, Medicare will also pay most of the costs for a third opinion.

If both opinions are the same, Medicare will sometimes still pay for a third doctor to make a confirmatory consultation. But the doctor will have to submit the claim properly, and Medicare has to determine that the doctor’s services were necessary and reasonable.

Medicare does not cover surgeries or other procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, that are not medically necessary. It also will not pay for second opinions for procedures that are not medically necessary.

Medicare Advantage plans may have different rules or coverage for second and third opinions. Check with your plan’s administrator to determine specifics before seeking a second opinion.

What’s Your Cost for a Second Opinion Under Medicare?

You are responsible for your Medicare Part B deductible and 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost of the second opinion.

The same out-of-pocket costs apply if you are eligible to seek a third opinion.

A Medigap (Medicare Supplement) insurance plan may cover some of your out-of-pocket costs for a second opinion — including a portion of your deductible, coinsurance and any copayment.

Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover anything Medicare Part A and Part B covers, but your plan may provide additional coverage or benefits when seeking a second opinion.

Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans are sold by private insurers. Coverage and benefits vary from plan to plan so it’s important to contact your plan’s administrator to find out exactly what is covered if you seek a second opinion.

When Should You Consider a Second Opinion?

When a doctor tells you that you have a health condition that requires surgery — and it’s not an emergency — you may want to consider a second opinion. A second opinion can help you make a better-informed decision about how to treat your health problem.

Your rights when seeking medical treatment include:
  • The right to know and understand your choices for treatment
  • The right to have another doctor review those choices with you — a second opinion
  • The right to participate in decisions on your treatment by making your wishes known

If you need emergency surgery — for an aneurysm, blood clots, acute appendicitis, injuries from an accident or any other life-threatening emergency — you should not wait for a second opinion.

How to Find a Doctor for a Second Opinion Under Medicare

Before scheduling an appointment for a second opinion, be sure the doctor accepts Medicare. Medicare can help you find a doctor for a second opinion.

Find a Doctor
You can visit Medicare.gov to search online for doctors who accept Medicare. You can also call Medicare at 1-800-633-2048 (TTY at 1-877-486-2048) and ask a representative about doctors in your area who accept Medicare.
Source: U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

You can also ask your first doctor or another doctor you trust to recommend another doctor who can give you a second opinion. It’s best to choose a doctor from a different office or practice.

Once you’ve scheduled your second opinion appointment, you’ll need to make certain arrangements. This will make it easier and quicker for you to get your second opinion.

Steps to Take Before Your Second Appointment
  1. Ask your first doctor to forward your medical records to the second doctor to prevent duplicating any tests or other exams.
  2. Call the second doctor to make sure they have your records.
  3. Confirm with the second doctor that he or she accepts Medicare.
  4. Prepare a list of questions and concerns you may have to discuss with the second doctor.
  5. Have a relative or friend accompany you to the appointment.
Source: U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may have to get your second opinion from a doctor in your plan’s network. If you go to a provider who is out of your plan’s network, you may have to pay more. Check with your plan’s administrator to determine what your plan requires.

Last Modified: January 17, 2023

4 Cited Research Articles

  1. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020, September). Getting a Second Opinion Before Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02173-Getting-a-Second-Opinion-Before-Surgery.pdf
  2. WebMD. (2019, September 17). Second Opinions. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/second-opinions
  3. Miller, J.T. (2017, December 6). How Medicare Handles Second Medical Opinions. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-medicare-handles-seco_b_10654850
  4. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Second Surgical Opinions. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/second-surgical-opinions