What you'll learn. The right to a second opinion is established in France, framed, sometimes reimbursed, but little known. After this guide, you'll know when to request one, how to proceed, and who to approach concretely.
What is a medical second opinion?
A medical second opinion (or second advice) is the consultation of a second doctor, usually a specialist, to confirm or reassess a diagnosis made by a first doctor. It may also concern the proposed care protocol: surgery yes or no, which chemotherapy protocol, is a heavy treatment justified.
It is neither a lack of trust in your doctor, nor a conflict-seeking approach. It is an informed decision-making tool, recommended by learned societies in complex cases.
The French legal framework
The French Medical Code of Ethics (article R. 4127-60) explicitly recognises the patient's right to consult another doctor. The French Public Health Code (article L. 1111-4) more broadly enshrines the patient's informed consent, which includes the right to take time and seek necessary opinions.
The first doctor cannot oppose your approach, nor deny you access to your record to consult a colleague. Article L. 1111-7 of the Public Health Code guarantees you direct access to your medical record, within 8 days to 2 months depending on age.
When to request a second opinion?
The most common situations that justify it:
- Heavy diagnosis — cancer, degenerative disease, rare disease. Initial diagnosis revision rate estimated between 10 and 20% according to ONIAM and American studies (Mayo Clinic 2017).
- Elective surgery — back, knee, heart, oncology. When the decision is scheduled, not urgent, and commits your life lastingly.
- Protocol choice — chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy. Several options often exist, with different benefit/risk profiles.
- Rare disease — when your doctor themselves recognises they are not the best expert. Referral to a reference centre (FRM network, CRMR).
- Persistent symptoms without diagnosis — diagnostic wandering. A second opinion may unlock a lead the first doctor had not considered.
How to proceed concretely
Step 1 — Inform your doctor
Even if not mandatory, it's a matter of professional courtesy and continuity of care. Most doctors accept the approach well, some spontaneously propose it in complex cases.
Step 2 — Obtain your record
You have the right to recover your entire medical record: reports, lab results, imaging (in DICOM, not screen photos), colleagues' letters. Either directly from Mon Espace Santé, or by written request to the doctor (legal timeframe 8 days to 2 months).
MDMC tip. A health passport like My Data My Care lets you have everything on your phone, shareable in 1 click with the consulted specialist — FHIR R4 format usable by any facility.
Step 3 — Identify the right specialist
Several pathways:
- Your primary care physician can refer you to an experienced colleague in your pathology
- Rare Disease Reference Centres (CRMR) for rare pathologies — list on orphanet.org
- Specialised platforms — Deuxième avis (validated specialists, partial reimbursement possible), MedGo (international specialists), Livi and Qare for quick remote opinions
- Learned societies — each medical specialty has a learned society that can recommend recognised experts on a specific topic
Step 4 — Consult
The consultation can take place in person or remotely (useful when the expert is far away). The specialist studies your record, asks you questions, formulates a written opinion.
Reimbursement
Three scenarios:
- Standard consultation — reimbursed by the French health insurance system at the contractual rate, provided you are in the care pathway (with a letter from your primary care physician) or with a direct-access specialist (gynaecologist, ophthalmologist, psychiatrist).
- Private paid platforms — such as Deuxième avis, priced between €250 and €400, possibly reimbursed by certain "premium" supplementary insurers depending on your contract.
- Expert abroad — no reimbursement by the French health insurance system. May be partially covered by your supplementary insurer or a third-party funder depending on the situation.
Specialised platforms (2026 comparison)
Second opinion
French reference created in 2015. Network of about 400 French specialist doctors, mostly from teaching hospitals or department heads. Price: €350 on average, sometimes reimbursed by supplementary insurers. Median timeframe: 6 to 8 days. Particularly useful in oncology, surgery, cardiology.
MedGo
Access to an international network of specialists. Suitable cases: rare diseases, complex pathologies requiring world-class expertise. Higher prices (€1000 to €3000), not reimbursed except by international supplementary insurers.
General-practice telehealth (Livi, Qare, Medadom)
Useful for a quick first rebalancing, not for an in-depth second opinion. Reimbursed by the health insurance system. Timeframe: a few hours to a few days.
What can block
- Difficulty recovering your record — some facilities drag their feet. If you are blocked, file a complaint with the CNIL or the Defender of Rights.
- Cost of private platforms — if your supplementary insurer does not cover, the remaining cost is significant.
- Waiting times — the best specialists are in high demand. Anticipate when the decision allows.
- Relationship with the first doctor — very rarely a problem in practice. Most doctors welcome the approach.
The limits of second opinions
It's not a magic wand. The two doctors may agree — that's actually the most common case. And even if they differ, it's you who decides in the end, with the elements from both.
The second opinion is not about "finding the doctor who says yes" to what we want. It's about informing a difficult decision with a diversity of perspectives.
Key takeaways
- The second opinion is a legally recognised right in France, to never hesitate to exercise for important medical decisions
- It requires a complete transferable record — a digital health passport like MDMC drastically accelerates the process
- Reimbursement is possible within the standard care pathway, limited on specialised private platforms
- Platforms like Deuxième avis offer facilitated access to national expertise, at a moderate cost
- It is not a conflict with your doctor — it is a form of respect for medical complexity and your autonomy