Welcome to Desert Institute for Spine Care’s (DISC) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. At DISC, we understand the importance of receiving an accurate spinal diagnosis. Pinpointing the pain generator in the spine is key to an accurate diagnosis and more importantly offering the least yet most effective treatment option. That’s why we offer virtual second opinions to help you make informed decisions about your spine care.
Our virtual second opinion program allows patients to receive a comprehensive evaluation of their spine condition from the comfort of their homes. Our team of spine specialists will review your medical history, imaging studies and other relevant information to provide you with a personalized treatment plan.
This FAQ page aims to answer some of the most common questions about our virtual second opinion program. We understand that you may have additional questions or concerns, and we encourage you to contact us directly for more information.
Thank you for considering DISC for your spine care needs. We look forward to assisting you in any way we can.
An informational virtual second opinion can provide expert insight and answers in the following scenarios:
A virtual second opinion from DISC can evaluate a range of spine conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis and spinal tumors.
Here are a few differences between an in-person second opinion and an informational virtual second opinion — offered by our expert team at DISC:
With a virtual appointment, you can attend a virtual session from the convenience of your home at a specific time scheduled between you and the expert surgeon. You will have to travel for an in-person traditional second opinion. In-person appointments often involve long waiting times before being seen.
Although both appointment types provide a full independent review of your case, the VSO is not constrained by physician referrals, insurance provider rules or network. Because of this, the virtual second opinion is not covered by insurance — a fee is required and paid online.
An informational virtual second opinion does not allow for a physical examination and therefore does not establish a patient/physician relationship.
Traditional second opinions limit the expertise to local surgeons in your insurance network. A virtual second opinion removes these constraints and offers access to the world’s expert spine surgeons, regardless of where you live.
Informational virtual second opinions are designed to help educate you on the best options concerning your spinal condition. This service also includes a written report that may confirm or change your diagnosis. In addition, it may offer alternative or innovative treatment options that you can share with your local treating physician.
A virtual second opinion on spinal treatment options provides numerous benefits to patients seeking expert evaluation of their condition. One of the most significant advantages of a virtual second opinion is that it allows patients to receive an evaluation from a specialist without traveling to the clinic in person. This can save patients time and money and reduce the stress of traveling, particularly those who live in remote areas or who have mobility issues.
Another benefit of a virtual second opinion is that it can give patients a fresh perspective on their condition. Patients may have received a diagnosis or treatment plan from their primary care physician or another specialist, but a virtual second opinion can offer an alternative or additional viewpoint. This can be especially helpful for patients with complex or rare spinal conditions requiring a high level of expertise to diagnose and treat.
A virtual second opinion can also help patients save money by avoiding unnecessary treatments or surgeries, which can be costly and come with potential risks and complications. VSOs are also a more affordable option for patients who may not have the financial means to travel to a specialist for an in-person evaluation.
Virtual second opinions also afford patients peace of mind and confidence in their treatment plans. Patients who receive a second opinion can feel more informed about their condition and treatment options, which can help them make sound decisions about their health.
You can get started with your virtual second opinion by creating an account through our website. After creating your account, uploading the required medical records, and completing the payment process, our patient care advocate will reach out by phone to get acquainted, answer questions and explain our process. If you have any questions before agreeing to our online payment process, email us at [email protected].
A virtual second opinion costs $700 (10 business days after all medical records are collected) or $900 for expedited service (five days after all pertinent medical records are collected). The cost is paid online when signing up and includes the following:
Our patient care advocate and records specialist will assist you through the process to make receiving a second opinion as simple as possible.
Absolutely. Desert Institute for Spine Care has provided expert second opinions and spine care to international patients for over 20 years. The all-inclusive cost for a virtual second opinion for international patients living outside the U.S. is $1,000 (USD). All reports and interactions with customers are in English unless otherwise pre-coordinated.
If you need translation services, we recommend Rush Translation Services. This professional translation agency uses the latest tools and technology to translate medical documents and reports in over 100 languages. You will be responsible for the cost of translation services.
International patients can upload their medical records in English through our secure online platform. Our patient care advocate will reach out via email to introduce themselves and clarify if pertinent information is still needed. Once all records are received, your expert spine surgeon will review your current diagnosis and treatment plan and either confirm or offer their expert opinion and suggested treatment plan, providing an in-depth written report after the virtual meeting.
Patients typically receive a virtual second opinion 10 business days after DISC has collected all pertinent medical records. MRI/CT scans and most medical records can be submitted online in our patient portal, or our medical records specialist can request them.
If you need a second opinion sooner, you can opt for our Expedited Virtual Second Opinion, which is completed and delivered within five days of records being received.
Most health plans do not offer coverage for remote/virtual second opinions. Patients will be responsible for the upfront costs when selecting the service. You may be able to pay for a virtual second opinion with your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). DISC will not file a claim with your insurance carrier, and we cannot provide a CPT code for this online service.
DISC does not provide medical record translation services. However, we can recommend translation services that patients can use at their own expense. There are several translation service available perhaps try Rush Translation Services. For more information, please get in touch with us by email at [email protected] with your name, phone number (please include your country code), email address and the language your records are currently in.
Here are DISC’s policies for mailing medical records:
U.S. patients do not need to mail their medical records to DISC. If you’ve received care within the United States, you’ll only need to provide the name and location of the doctors you’ve seen in the past year. Our medical records specialist will collect your records. If you already have a copy of your documents, you can upload them via our patient portal or mail them in to expedite the process.
For international patients living outside the United States, you will either mail the records to us or upload them via our patient portal. Please keep in mind that if the records are not in English, you must have them translated first, or we can translate the records for an additional charge. If you have difficulty at any time, you can contact our patient care advocate at 602-944-2900.
Yes, you can request a specific DISC spine surgeon. If the requested surgeon is unavailable, we will discuss the timeline of their soonest availability or assign another surgeon. We will match you with one of our available surgeons if you do not specify.
Patients 18 and over who prefer an in-person appointment at DISC instead of a virtual second opinion can call 602-944-2900 or request an appointment online.
Yes, in most scenarios. After your virtual second opinion review with our surgeon, our staff will follow up to discuss the next steps if you agree with our surgeon’s treatment plan. If you have additional questions, you can pass them on to our staff, and they will get answers to help you make the best decision moving forward. A follow-up discussion can be scheduled with our surgeon at a fraction of the initial cost of the second opinion.
Desert Institute for Spine Care utilizes the highest medical standards to protect the security and privacy of all our patients. Our website meets all federal requirements for safeguarding personal health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Furthermore, we do not store any credit card information in our system. An industry-approved and recognized standard payment processing platform securely processes all financial transactions.
If you are cancelling your Virtual Second Opinion within 24 hours of payment, a 100% refund will be processed. If you are requesting a cancellation of your Virtual Second Opinion after 24 hours from your payment, a 50% refund will be processed. All cancellation and refund requests must be made in writing to [email protected].
While making important decisions about your spine health can be overwhelming, DISC’s virtual second opinion program can help you make informed, confident choices from the comfort of your home. We hope this FAQ section has answered some of your questions about virtual second opinions, and if you need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly. this needs to be hyperlinked to 2nd opinion landing page as well as the “contact us” above.
Our team of spine specialists are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care and support. We’re committed to working with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals. We’re honored to be your partner in spine health and look forward to assisting you in any way we can.
