What can I expect during my telehealth appointment?
Our clinical team will ask you to provide some basic medical history information (medications, medical conditions, previous surgeries). We will then take your history of the current problem and guide you through a physical examination of movement, painful areas, muscle strength, and sensation. We will then review your imaging findings with you and in some cases share our screen so we can view the imaging together. Finally, we will offer a second opinion and help guide you through your decisions including: 1) Is spine surgery appropriate at this time, or would additional non-surgical treatment or additional diagnostic testing be helpful? 2) Is the operation that has been proposed the best surgery for you, or is it too much surgery or too little surgery? 3) Do you fully understand the likelihood of success and risk of complications to make an informed decisions about moving forward with surgery?
How much does it cost to receive a virtual second opinion?
The cost of a virtual second opinion is the same as an in-person consultation. You may be responsible for co-pays or the entire cost depending on your insurance plan and annual deductible status at the time.
How long will it take to receive a report from the second opinion?
The spine surgeon will share the second opinion with you verbally during the video visit. If you choose to sign up for the Emory Healthcare patient portal you should be able to view/download your consultation note within three business days.
What do I do after my second surgical opinion?
You are able to schedule a follow-up virtual visit with an Emory spine surgeon to ask more questions or if you would like to schedule your surgery at Emory.
Do I need a physician referral?
You do not need a physician referral unless your insurance plan requires a referral from your primary care physician.
Can I request an in-person appointment to get my second opinion?
We strongly prefer the initial second opinion visit to be virtual to ensure you have all the necessary imaging and diagnostic studies. If an in person visit is then needed to complete the second opinion, we can then ensure that all needed information has been collected or ordered and the in-person visit will be efficient and allow a definitive recommendation. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeons have undergone extensive training to offer innovative spine care. We strive to provide spine surgeries to reduce pain with as little downtime as possible.
