Getting a 2nd medical opinion?

2013-12-10T18:43:12-05:00

I recently went to my TMC for a knee injury sustained downrange. The PA refuse to take me seriously, and was only worried about what I wanted in my profile and what meds I wanted. After arguing with him to not treat me as a "dirt bag" he agreed to send me for x-rays. I would really like to go to someone who will take me seriously and help me figure out what's wrong. how do I got about getting a 2nd opinion?

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 12 at 2013 12:49 PM

2013-12-12T12:49:56-05:00

You always have the right to ask for a referral for a 2nd opinion, the PA at the TMC may not like the idea but he can't deny it. Just ask for a referral after you have been sent for x-rays, you may possibly be sent to OT/PT for evaluation as it is and then they could refer you out if need be. It is just like anything until you ask you will never know.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 9:40 PM

2014-04-17T21:40:06-04:00

Sorry that you were not treated with respect.....sometimes we in medicine can become too jaded and lose perspective. PAs are dependent practioners which means they have a supervising physician. You can always request to be seen by the supervising physician. The other option is that every medical facility in the Army has a procedure to file patient complaints. I would utilize one of those procedures. The last option is to contact Joint Commission which is a regulatory agency that oversees medical practice in the US. If there is anything you need assistance with let me know and I will guide you the best I can

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2014 8:24 PM

2014-05-27T20:24:50-04:00

Yes, according to TriCare, you are entitled to a second opinion. However, if it's outside of the TriCare network, you will need a referral or consult. Be careful about seeking medical treatment/advice/etc outside of TriCare. You could potentially jeopardize your medical benefits and end up paying for it out of pocket if they do a line of duty determination. Typically civilian providers are only approved by TriCare if the military equivalent or specialist is not available. Hope this helps.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2014 8:26 PM

2014-05-27T20:26:03-04:00

I have heard where this has worked. The Navy docs can look into the civilian docs analysis. I feel as if it would have to be a specialist in whatever field you are looking to get an opinion from.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2014 5:55 AM

2014-05-28T05:55:10-04:00

You have that right, but you will prob have to pay out of pocket. You can also look into tri care standard as an option for medical insurance as this will allow you to see civilian doctors. I would talk to your local tri care office and more details

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 28 at 2014 7:18 AM

2014-05-28T07:18:02-04:00

Ma'am, it's YOUR body, YOUR health. I would recommend that if you feel a second opinion is important or warranted that you obtain one; especially since you have an opportunity for a free consult. I can't possibly imagine any adverse action as a result.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 15 at 2014 3:37 PM

2014-07-15T15:37:05-04:00

Sure - there are a variety of ways, but the suggested route is to talk to your primary care manager. Tell them your concerns and that you want a second opinion and they should be able to do the referral to another specialist.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Jul 24 at 2014 10:23 PM

2014-07-24T22:23:44-04:00

Follow up question -
I spoke to my PCM about getting a second opinion. She said that tricare will only send me to a military hospital, and since there are only so many people in this office at the hospital that the doctors all talk and it could potentially put me in bad standing with my original doctor.
Thoughts?