Second Opinion

Ensuring the right care, at the right time

When faced with a serious medical condition, your employees need the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their diagnosis is correct and that their doctor's treatment plan offers them the best possible outcome.

To ensure quality treatment and prevent potential misdiagnosis, your employees can access Second Opinion®, a collaboration between Pacific Blue Cross and WorldCare International, Inc. WorldCare gives members and their treating physicians’ access to leading specialists in North America’s top-ranked teaching and research hospitals – The WorldCare Consortium®.

When an employee calls the Second Opinion service line, a WorldCare Nurse Case Manager will talk them through the process, providing the necessary release forms and contacting their physician to collect their medical records.

A team of specialists at a WorldCare Consortium® hospital will work together to review every aspect of their case. A comprehensive Second Opinion Booklet will be prepared for them, which includes details of the medical consultation, treatment recommendations and answers to any questions from them or their physician. If needed, an audioconference between the employee’s physician and the consulting medical specialists can be arranged. Throughout this process, their Nurse Case Manager stays in close touch.

This is a valuable service that broadens the care and treatment options your employee receives.

What conditions qualify for a Second Opinion?

Serious conditions which qualify for a Second Opinion include the following:

  • AIDS
  • ALS
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Any amputation
  • Any life threatening illness
  • Benign brain tumor
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular conditions
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Coma
  • Deafness
  • Embolism/Thrombophlebitis
  • Emphysema
  • Hip / knee replacement
  • Kidney failure
  • Loss of speech
  • Major or severe burns
  • Major organ transplant
  • Major trauma
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Neuro-degenerative disease
  • Paralysis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Stroke
  • Sudden blindness due to illness

Second Opinion Information Sheet [pdf]