We provide second opinion consultations to those who have Japanese public health insurance. Our second opinion service does not provide any treatment. As you will be receiving the opinion of a physician other than your primary doctor, you must obtain a referral letter and relevant materials such as imaging data and test results from your primary doctor before making an appointment with us.
Please note that if your visit is deemed to be for treatment purposes on the scheduled appointment date, we may not be able to provide the consultation. Thank you for your understanding in advance.
What is the Second Opinion Service?
Hiroo Hospital offers a second opinion service to help patients better understand their medical condition and treatment options, enabling them to choose the best course for their treatment and make informed decisions. The second opinion service allows patients to receive the opinion of a physician other than the primary doctor based on symptom evaluation, diagnosis and treatments.
Our hospital offers second opinion consultations in the departments below.
If you wish to use this service, please make an advanced appointment through the Patient Appointment Centre. The second opinion service is strictly BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Patient Appointment Centre: 03-3446-8331
| Monday-Friday (Weekdays) | 9:00 - 17:00 |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 - 11:30 |
Departments Offering Second Opinion Consultations
| Department | Day | Hours | Consultation Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes & Endocrinology | Monday | 13:00 - 14:00 | |
| Neurosurgery | 1st Tue | 15:00 - 15:30 | Neuroendovascular treatment |
| 1st Thu | 10:30 - 11:00 | ||
| Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery | Wednesday | 14:00 - 15:00 | Post-traumatic scarring, etc. |
| Dermatology | Thursday | 14:00–14:40 15:00–15:40 | Skin tumors, moles and birthmarks |
| Neuro-Psychiatry | Please inquire with the Appointment Centre for schedule. (Verification may take time.) | ||
| Hematology | |||
| Cardiovascular Surgery | |||
| Surgery | |||
Difference between Second Opinion and Regular Outpatient Services
A second opinion service is not a medical consultation; hence, it does not offer examinations, tests or treatment. Our specialist doctors provide opinions based on test results and referral documents from your current medical institution and primary doctor.
If you wish to undergo tests or treatment at our hospital, please schedule a regular outpatient appointment instead of the second opinion service.
Eligibility for the Second Opinion Service
- The patient, with the consent of their primary doctor
- Family members of the patient, with the consent of both the primary doctor and the patient
Cases NOT Eligible for the Second Opinion Service
- Consultations intended for complaints, disputes or legal actions against the current hospital or the primary doctor
- Requests seeking judgment on the appropriateness or quality of treatment including surgery
- Cases involving deceased individuals
- Cases without consent from the primary doctor
- Consultations concerning diseases that are outside the scope of our specialties
- When the patient wishes to receive treatment at our hospital (this will be handled as a regular outpatient visit.)
- Consultations related to medical expenses or insurance benefits
Required Documents
| [1] Referral Letter (Medical Information Summary) | Please have your current primary doctor and Japanese authorized insurance medical institution prepare this document, including details of your current treatment and examinations. |
|---|---|
| [2] Diagnostic Imaging (CD/DVD or Film) | If you have undergone CT, MRI, X-ray or similar imaging tests, please bring the data. |
| [3] Test Results | If you have any additional test results available, please bring them as well. |
Fees for Second Opinion Consultation
The full cost is borne by the patient or their family. The fee is not covered by the Japanese public health insurance.
- 20,000 yen for the first 30 minutes
- An additional 5,500 yen for each subsequent 30 minutes
For Our Patients Seeking a Second Opinion at Another Institution
- Based on the "Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities,"Hiroo Hospital supports patients seeking second opinions at other medical institutions.
- If you wish to do so, please consult your primary doctor. We will prepare the referral letter and test results.
- Please search for the medical institution where you would like to receive a second opinion. Application procedures vary by the institution. Ask the institution of your choice for application details.
- Second opinion services are not covered by the Japanese public health insurance; fees vary by institution. Ask the institution of your choice for their fees. The service does not provide exams, order tests or deliver any treatment.
- Preparation of documents typically requires about two weeks. Please confirm the document delivery schedule when arranging your second opinion appointment. A referral letter generally costs around 1,500 yen (for patients with a 30% co-payment).
Last updated:2026/01/15