Second Opinion
Second opinion at MD Anderson Cancer Center
How it works
In-person. MD Anderson does not currently offer a remote second-opinion program for patients seeking review without traveling. A second-opinion visit is structured as a new-patient appointment, typically lasting several days with meetings across multiple specialists, blood tests, imaging, and pathology review.
Cost
Billed as a comprehensive new-patient evaluation through your insurance. Costs vary significantly based on what tests and consultations are required during the multi-day visit.
Turnaround time
Scheduled as a new-patient appointment. Usually 2–4 weeks to appointment, with the visit itself spanning several days.
What's covered
Full multidisciplinary evaluation. If you want subspecialty expertise across medical, surgical, and radiation oncology in one integrated visit, MD Anderson is structured for this.
When this is a good fit
Complex or advanced cases where a full in-person, multidisciplinary evaluation is worth the travel. Rare cancers where MD Anderson has documented specialty expertise.
When to consider other options
Patients seeking a purely virtual consultation. Time-sensitive cases where a several-week appointment delay is a problem. There is, however, a separate path for pathology slide review only — call 713-792-3112.
How to request
Related guides
Self-referral process, documents to gather, insurance rules.
Virtual oncology second opinion: what to expect →How remote record review and video consultation work.
Does insurance cover cancer second opinions? →Medicare, Medicare Advantage, PPO, HMO coverage rules.
Second opinion cost comparison →What major centers charge and insurance coverage.
How to request your medical records →HIPAA right-of-access steps. Required before any second opinion.
All NCI-designated cancer centers →72 centers with state browser and CMS quality ratings.