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/Specialist Second Opinion
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What is Specialist Second Opinion in health insurance?
Allows you to get another specialist's opinion on a serious diagnosis - like cancer or a recommendation for surgery - often for free through the insurer's network. A second opinion can prevent an unnecessary operation or point you to a better treatment.
Every plan, ranked11 · 5 strong · 1 standard · 2 limited · 3 not covered
Niva BupaStrongReAssure 3.0 · ClassicAny condition
Strong
A second medical opinion from the insurer's panel of specialists and super specialists is included in the base plan, for any condition diagnosed or treatment prescribed, an unlimited number of times in a policy year. Niva Bupa arranges it and pays for it. Two paid upgrades exist: a Third Medical Opinion, and a Second Medical Opinion-Express that lets you go outside the panel.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredIncluded in the base plan
Eligible conditionsAny condition
How Many Times Per Year Per PersonUnlimited
Specialist LevelSpecialist Only
Reduces Main Sum InsuredNo
Watch out
The included opinion comes from Niva Bupa's own panel, so you do not choose the doctor. If you want an opinion from a doctor of your choice, that is the Express upgrade, and it must be asked for within 48 hours of hospitalisation.
Star HealthStrongSuper StarAny condition
Strong
A second medical opinion from a doctor in Star Health's India network is part of the base plan, booked through the Star Health app, with no limit on which conditions you can use it for. A paid option, E-International Second Opinion, gets you an opinion from an international panel once a Policy Year.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredIncluded in the base plan
Eligible conditionsAny condition
Specialist LevelSpecialist Only
Doctor NetworkIndia Network
Reduces Main Sum InsuredNo
Watch out
The opinion is given only from the records you send; the doctor does not examine the patient. It is for medical reasons only, and the policy says it cannot be used for medico-legal purposes.
Star HealthStrongFamily Health OptimaAny condition
Strong
You can ask for a second medical opinion from a doctor on Star Health's own panel, booked through the Star Health app. The opinion is given on your records alone, without an examination.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredIncluded in the base plan
Eligible conditionsAny condition
Specialist LevelSpecialist Only
Doctor NetworkIndia Network
Reduces Main Sum InsuredNo
Watch out
The doctor comes from the insurer's network and practises in India, so this cannot reach a specialist abroad. The policy does not say how many second opinions you may take in a year.
Star HealthStrongStar Health AssureAny condition
Strong
You can ask for a second medical opinion from a doctor in the insurer's network of practitioners in India, booked through the Star Health app. The opinion is given on your medical records alone, and using it does not count as making a claim.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredIncluded in the base plan
Eligible conditionsAny condition
Specialist LevelSpecialist Only
Doctor NetworkIndia Network
Reduces Main Sum InsuredNo
Watch out
The doctor does not examine you - the opinion is based only on the records you submit, so send everything relevant. You have to ask for it yourself; it is not offered automatically when a serious diagnosis is filed.
Star HealthStrongStar ComprehensiveAny condition
Strong
You can ask for a second medical opinion from a doctor in Star Health's network of practitioners booked through the Star Health app. The opinion is given from the medical records you send, without an examination.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredIncluded in the base plan
Eligible conditionsAny condition
Specialist LevelGP + Specialist
Doctor NetworkIndia Network
Reduces Main Sum InsuredNo
Watch out
The policy does not say how many second opinions you can take in a year. The doctor works from your records alone, so send complete reports. limited in nature
HDFC ERGOStandardOptima Secure · Optima-Super-Secure51 listed conditions
Standard
The E-Opinion for Critical Illness gives each insured person one second opinion a year from a doctor in the insurer's network, for any of 51 listed major illnesses. Using it does not touch your Sum Insured. Most plans give it within India; Optima Super Secure, Global and Global Plus give it from the global network. Optima Select does not have it.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredIncluded in the base plan
Eligible conditions51 listed conditions
How Many Times Per Year Per Person1 time
Specialist LevelSpecialist Only
Doctor NetworkGlobal Network
Watch out
It works only for the 51 listed illnesses, so a serious condition outside that list does not qualify. You are free to ignore the opinion - the policy leaves the decision with you.
Aditya BirlaLimitedActiv One · VYTLOptional - 27 listed conditions
Limited
Second Medical Opinion is an optional cover, available on every plan variant. It pays for an independent doctor to review your diagnosis and treatment plan for any of 27 listed major illnesses, arranged through the insurer's network. You can use it once a policy year per person, and using it does not reduce your sum insured.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredOptional add-on
Eligible conditions27 listed conditions
How Many Times Per Year Per Person1 time
Specialist LevelSpecialist Only
Reduces Main Sum InsuredNo
Watch out
It covers only the 27 listed major illnesses, so a serious diagnosis outside that list is not eligible. The opinion is a review of your records and reports, and the policy says it does not replace seeing a doctor in person.
HDFC ERGOLimitedOptima Restore8 listed conditions
Limited
If you are diagnosed with one of eight listed critical illnesses, the insurer arranges and pays for a second opinion from its own panel of doctors, and the opinion is sent straight to you. You can use it once in a policy year. Any other illness is outside this benefit.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredIncluded in the base plan
Eligible conditions8 listed conditions
How Many Times Per Year Per Person1 time
Specialist LevelSpecialist Only
Watch out
The eight illnesses are defined with severity conditions, so an early-stage diagnosis may not qualify. The opinion comes from the insurer's panel rather than a doctor you find yourself, and the insurer accepts no liability for what follows from acting on it.
ICICI LombardNot coveredElevateNot in this plan, and not sold as an add-on
Not covered
Elevate does not pay for a second opinion. The Health Assistance team will book one with an empanelled provider, but the policy says you bear the charges.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredNot covered
Watch out
You pay the second-opinion fee yourself - the insurer only arranges the appointment. Before a major surgery decision, that cost comes out of your own pocket.
Care HealthNot coveredCare AdvantageNot in this plan, and not sold as an add-on
Not covered
Care Advantage does not offer a specialist second opinion. Neither document promises a second medical view on a serious diagnosis, and none of the 13 optional covers provides one.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredNot covered
Care HealthNot coveredCare SupremeNot in this plan, and not sold as an add-on
Not covered
This product does not offer a specialist second opinion benefit. The only consultation service included is Unlimited E-Consultation with General Physicians, which is not a second opinion on a serious diagnosis. If you want a specialist to review a cancer diagnosis or a surgery recommendation, you pay for it yourself.
Coverage detailstap any row to understand it
How it's coveredNot covered
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Or read one we prepared for Specialist Second OpinionSuper Star vs Optima RestoreSuper Star vs Star ComprehensiveOptima Restore vs Star Comprehensive
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