An expert online second opinion from the children's hospital that is ranked among the best in the nation can reassure you that you are getting the best care for your child — from the comfort of your home. Everything is done online and securely, saving you the time and expense of traveling to Boston.
An online second opinion gives you access to another physician’s medical opinion about your child’s diagnosis and treatment options without having to be seen in person.
A Boston Children's physician who specializes in your child's specific condition will:
If this is a medical emergency, please call your local emergency service number (911 in the U.S.) or go to your nearest local medical center. U.S. patients who are pursuing an appointment, virtually or in-person, at Boston Children's Hospital should not request an online second opinion.
Get started by creating an account, submitting payment, and completing a short patient questionnaire on our secure platform.
Gastroenterology, Genetics, Nephrology, Neurology, Rheumatology, and Cancer & Blood Disorder conditions cost $1,200, and all other conditions cost $900. All major credit cards are accepted. Currently, most health plans do not cover online second opinions, but you may elect to use your Health Care Saving Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Your Summus Partner will guide you through the medical records collection process and help you draft the questions you want to ask the Boston Children's physician. The medical records collection process can take up to two weeks. Unfortunately, Boston Children's cannot reimburse for translation services.
A Boston Children's physician who specializes in your child’s specific condition will be selected to review your case. We aim to deliver the second opinion report 7 to 10 business days after all necessary medical records are received. Turnaround times can be extended if a specific provider is requested or the case is recommended for a multidisciplinary review.
After the Boston Children’s physician reviews the case and answers your questions, you will receive an email to access and review your second opinion report on our secure platform.
Please do not request a second opinion if:
If you are a resident of Massachusetts, we encourage you to come to one of our many Massachusetts-based offices. Please use our Find a Doctor tool to find the right specialist for your family.
Certain conditions require multidisciplinary assessment and may not be clinically appropriate for an online second opinion.
Please review our eligibility FAQs before starting your online second opinion.
Online second opinions for Gastroenterology, Genetics, Nephrology, Neurology, Rheumatology, and Cancer & Blood Disorder conditions cost $1,200, and all other conditions cost $900. All major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover) are accepted.
Currently, most health plans do not cover online second opinions, but you may elect to use your Health Care Saving Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Boston Children's Hospital will not file a claim with your insurance carrier, nor can we provide a procedure (CPT) code for this online second opinion service.
Boston Children's treats more children with rare diseases and complex conditions than any other hospital. A second opinion from our experts can confirm your child's diagnosis, help you understand your child's treatment options, and confirm the recommended treatment.
*—reflects data for all completed opinions from the period of May 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024
