Medicare will normally provide coverage when you need a second opinion. Part B will provide coverage when you are enrolled in Original Medicare. A Medicare Advantage plan will also provide coverage.

Sometimes, you need to get a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment plan that your doctor gives you. When you do, Medicare will provide coverage.

You can use Medicare Part B or your Medicare Advantage plan to get coverage. As long as it’s a service that Medicare typically covers, you’ll be covered.

Medicare will also provide coverage if both doctors disagree and you need a third opinion.

You can get coverage for a second opinion using Medicare.

This often happens when your doctor thinks you need surgery to help treat a condition. You may wish to consult a different doctor for a second opinion on whether the surgery is necessary.

Medicare will pay for you to see the other doctor and get a second opinion so you can make an informed choice.

The only time Medicare won’t pay for a second opinion is if the surgery is one that Medicare never covers. In this case, Medicare would not cover the second opinion or the surgery.

Medicare covers most surgeries as long as they’re medically necessary.

A surgery is considered medically necessary if it treats a condition or prevents one from getting worse. It isn’t considered medically necessary if it is cosmetic.

You can get coverage for second opinions in a few different ways.

If you’re enrolled in Medicare parts A and B, together known as Original Medicare, you’ll use Part B for coverage. Medicare Part B is the part of Original Medicare that covers services like doctor’s office visits. This coverage includes second opinions.

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance and doesn’t cover doctor visits. When you use Original Medicare for your second opinion, you’ll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved cost. Medicare will pay the other 80%.

You also have coverage options with some of the other parts of Medicare. Coverage for second opinions under other Medicare parts includes:

  • Medicare Advantage (Part C): Medicare Advantage plans cover everything that Original Medicare does, including second opinions. However, you might need to see a doctor who’s part of your plan’s network or get a referral from your primary care doctor.
  • Part D: Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. It doesn’t cover doctor visits, so it won’t provide coverage for second opinions.
  • Medigap (Medicare supplement): Medigap covers the out-of-pocket costs of using Original Medicare. It doesn’t provide additional coverage, which means it won’t cover a second opinion, but you can use it to lower your cost when you get one.

Your costs will depend on the part of Medicare you’re using and whether you’ve already paid any deductible associated with your plan. Some costs you might see include the following:

  • When you use Original Medicare: You’ll need to meet your deductible before Medicare will start to cover your costs. The Part B deductible in 2025 is $257.00. After you meet it, you’ll pay 20% of the cost of your appointment.
  • When you use Medicare Advantage: Medicare Advantage plans have their own prices and costs. Check the details of your plan to see if you have a deductible and what your copayment or coinsurance amount is.
  • When you use Medigap: Your costs with Medigap will depend on your plan. Some Medicare plans include coverage for the Part B deductible, while others include coverage only for your coinsurance payments.

Medicare will cover your second opinion as long as it’s about a service that Medicare covers. Medicare will cover most services, but there are a few it never covers.

These services include:

Medicare won’t provide coverage if you need a second opinion about one of the abovementioned services. However, as long as your service is something Medicare does cover, you can get a second opinion with Medicare.

If you’re not sure whether a service is covered, you can search the Medicare website for it.

Getting a second opinion can help you learn your options and find a treatment plan you’re comfortable with. Medicare will provide coverage when you need that second opinion.

You’ll be covered as long as the second opinion is about a service that Medicare covers. You’ll pay 20% of the cost when you use Original Medicare. Your costs with a Medicare Advantage plan will depend on your plan.