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Staying Healthy Understanding Health Care Choices
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FAQs
GE is offering two electronic second opinion services for employees and their dependents who are currently enrolled in GE Medical Care Options (such as GE Health Care Preferred, GE Health Care Select, GE Medical Benefits, GE Affiliate Health Plan (GEM), GE-offered HMO or the GE Global Medical Plan). Eligible employees and dependents can access electronic second opinions via e-Cleveland Clinic (a service from The Cleveland Clinic) and Partners Online Specialty Consultations (a consortium of Boston hospitals—including Brigham and Women’s, Massachusetts General, and Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare—which are hospital teaching affiliates of Harvard Medical School). GE is covering the cost of these services (as billed the providers) in full.

e-Cleveland Clinic

Partners Online Specialty Consultations

Expert Medical Opinion Program

Getting a Second Opinion

Health Advocate

Electronic Second Opinions

GE Benefits

Online Health Information

What is e-Cleveland Clinic?
e-Cleveland Clinic is a remote, Web-based second opinion service offered by The Cleveland Clinic. Founded in 1921, The Cleveland Clinic is a multi-specialty academic medical center located in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, outpatient and hospital care are also delivered at The Cleveland Clinic Florida campuses, located on Florida’s east and west coasts. As the second largest group practice in the world, The Cleveland Clinic includes almost 1,200 physicians and delivers state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient care in a 934-bed staffed hospital (including a Children’s Hospital). Extensive physician and patient education activities form a vital component of the institution’s mission, and the Lerner Research Institute houses advanced scientific investigation into complex medical issues ranging from cancer to heart disease. Every year since 1990, U.S. News & World Report has designated The Cleveland Clinic as one of only 10 hospitals in the United States to be considered “The Best of the Best.” For the past eight years, the magazine has named The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center as number one in the nation. Two Cleveland Clinic Florida locations (Weston and Naples) are also available to serve patient needs.

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What is the process for obtaining an electronic second opinion from e-Cleveland Clinic?
Using a secure Web environment, the patient contacts e-Cleveland Clinic, which determines if he/she is an appropriate candidate for a second opinion via the Internet. If yes, the patient submits medical history information and answers questions specific to the diagnosis. The patient then gathers information pertinent to the diagnosis—such as pathology slides or X-rays—from his/her local doctor or hospital and sends them to the e-Cleveland Clinic Clinical Operations triage office. To ensure rapid delivery, it is best to send the items via an express courier service (such as FedEx, Airborne Express, etc.).

Once the medical records arrive and are reviewed for completeness, the Clinical Operations triage staff will identify the most appropriate Cleveland Clinic physician to address the patient’s condition. The Cleveland Clinic specialist then reviews the online medical history and the original test results prior to rendering a second opinion. The patient will be notified by e-mail when the opinion is ready and available to be viewed online at a secure Web site. A Cleveland Clinic Registered Nurse will follow up with every patient by phone to ensure that the patient understands the information that has been provided and that all of the patient’s questions have been answered.

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What types of information will I be required to provide?
The type of required information will depend on the specific condition (diagnosis) for which you are requesting a second opinion. In general, you will need to provide a recent physician’s report as well as reports and films from diagnostic procedures performed in determining your diagnosis (such as MRI Scans, CT Scans, X-rays, lab test reports, pathology slides, etc.).

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Where can I get more information about this service?
Details about e-Cleveland Clinic are available at http://www.eclevelandclinic.org/emphome.jsp?cid=ge. It is of benefit to you to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section at this Web site before beginning the second opinion request process. You can also call the e-Cleveland Clinic Clinical Operations office toll-free at 1-800-223-2273, extension 43223.

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What is Partners Online Specialty Consultations?
Partners Online Specialty Consultations is the newest service of Partners Telemedicine, which has been a world pioneer in connecting physicians and patients, enhancing quality health-care interactions through communications and technology since 1995. Its vision is that healthcare decisions benefiting patient care should be made any time/anywhere in a way that facilitates care at the point of need. Its mission is to leverage telecommunications technologies to extend the reach of the more than 3,000 specialists associated with Partners Online Specialty Consultations.

Based in Boston, Partners Online Specialty Consultations is a not-for-profit organization that offers patients a continuum of coordinated, high-quality care. Partners Online Specialty Consultations includes Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, McLean Hospital, and community-based hospitals, health centers and physicians. Partners’ founding hospitals—Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital—are both teaching affiliates of Harvard Medical School. Both hospitals have consistently been ranked among the country’s top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and are among the top three hospital-based recipients of National Institutes of Health research funding annually.

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What is the process for obtaining an electronic second opinion from Partners Online Specialty Consultations?
Patients initiate the process by registering with the Partners Online Specialty Consultations site (http://www.econsults.partners.org/ge). After providing required eligibility information, the patient is given a registration number and then prints a Referring Physician Letter to provide to the treating physician. Thereafter, the treating physician goes to the same site and enters the registration number and medical history.

After receiving the case history and relevant medical tests and images, Partners Online Specialty Consultations identifies a Partners specialist to review the case and write a second opinion. Second opinions are typically posted within three business days after the complete patient history is received.

Second opinions are provided to the referring physician on a secure Internet site. After the treating physician has read the second opinion, the patient will receive an e-mail message with directions on how to access a courtesy copy of the opinion.

Partners Online Specialty Consultations serves as a consultant to the referring physician, who is responsible for exercising independent judgment in recommending next steps in your care.

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What types of information will I be required to provide?
You and your physician will be asked to provide information about the following: (1) the reason for the consultation, (2) history of present illness, (3) current medications, (4) prior medical history, (5) present treatment plan, (6) pertinent family history, (7) any other pertinent information. You will also be asked to provide copies of all pertinent diagnostic studies performed.

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Where can I get more information about this service?
More information is available online at http://www.econsults.partners.org/ge.

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Why is GE offering employees these services?
GE wants to help employees, affiliates and their covered dependents who are facing serious illnesses and encourage them to be active participants in decisions relating to their care. These programs offer employees access to the most up-to-date medical information and expert advice so they can choose the best quality care.

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Who is eligible to use these services?
GE covers the providers’ charges for these services in full for US based GE employees/affiliates and family members as well as retirees under age 65 who participate in a GE Medical Care Option (such as GE Health Care Preferred, GE Health Care Select, GE Medical Benefits, or a GE-offered HMO, GE Affiliate Health Plan (GEM), GE-offered HMO or the GE Global Medical Plan).

The Medical Board in each state independently sets rules governing the availability of electronic second opinions. The following states currently have regulations that limit or exclude electronic second opinion services from e-Cleveland Clinic: California and North Dakota.

Residents from the following states are excluded from using Partners Online Specialty Consultations due to state regulatory constraints: Iowa, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee.

State regulations are subject to change. If you live in one of the states listed above, please contact the service provider to confirm the availability of these electronic second opinion services. Call e-Cleveland Clinic (1-800-223-2273, ext. 43223) or Partners Online Specialty Consultations (1-866-669-7954).

The following conditions are not eligible for consultative opinion services: requests relating to infertility treatment, conditions related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), elective cosmetic surgery, and gender reassignment treatment or surgery. GE retains the right to exclude other conditions.

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What if I am not a US based employee covered by a GE Medical Care Option?
Both eCC and Partners Online Specialty Consultations do offer this service outside of the USA. You would be responsible for payment in full. For more information visit: www.eclevelandclinic.org. The cost of an eCleveland Clinic MyConsult Remote Second Opinion is $565, payable at the time of the request with a major credit card or by certified bank check or money order (from a U.S. bank payable in U.S. funds). If a pathology review (reading) is required to complete your MyConsult Remote Second Opinion—as in most cancer-related diagnoses—there is an additional charge of $180 for that review and report.

www.econsults.partners.org.

  • Specialist Review: $495
  • Radiology Interpretation: $200
  • Pathology Interpretation: $250
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Can I use these services for my parents, other relatives or friends?
Yes, however, you will be responsible for payment in full. GE only pays for the providers’ charges in full if the patient participates in a GE Medical Care Option.

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Is my participation in these programs confidential?
Yes. The programs are completely confidential, and GE will not know which employees use these services.

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Whom can I contact at GE if I have additional questions about this pilot program?
Please contact your local Human Resources manager or regional health care manager.

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Do GE Medical Care Options require that I seek a second opinion?
Second opinions are not a requirement of GE Medical Care Options.

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Why should I seek a second opinion?
You should consider a second opinion if you have been diagnosed with a life-changing or life-threatening condition that does not require immediate medical treatment. This consultation can help you make the health care decision that’s right for you. People seek second opinions for additional information, to investigate alternative treatments and to compare treatment options. Second opinions can also offer reassurance that a prescribed course of treatment is the best for you. Second opinions might also provide a safeguard against unnecessary procedures.

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When should I consider a second opinion?
You should consider getting a second opinion when you are faced with a serious illness that does not require immediate treatment and:
  • All your questions have not been answered
  • You want reassurance that you are receiving the most appropriate medical care
  • You have been offered more than one treatment alternative and do not know which one to choose
  • You have been told you need surgery and want to confirm the treatment recommendation
  • Your current treatment is not producing the results you or your physician expected
  • You have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and want to confirm the treatment recommendation
  • You have multiple medical problems and, therefore, are at higher risk for any medical or surgical treatment
  • Your doctor has recommended a controversial or experimental treatment
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Do I need my local doctor’s permission to request a second opinion?
You do not need permission from your doctor; however, in some states, to comply with state licensing requirements, your physician will need to sign a “request for consultation” form. If you elect to use the Partners Online Specialty Consultations program, your doctor must actively participate in the second opinion process.

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What if the treatment option I choose is not covered by my GE Medical Care Option?
You will need to work with your treating physician and your current health care plan administrator to determine what is covered under your GE Medical Plan Option. Employees should anticipate that some treatment options might not be available in their networks (in rare situations) or are not covered at all. You should discuss your treatment options and coverage with your treating physician. Your health plan administrator can clarify coverage rules and benefits. To contact your health plan administrator, call the number on the back of your medical plan ID card. If necessary, an appeal process might also be used to resolve coverage errors or complicated claims.

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Why is GE piloting two electronic second opinion options?
The two providers selected by GE offer slightly different programs. Although both offer electronic consultations with top medical experts in a number of fields, the programs differ in terms of how the second opinion is delivered. e-Cleveland Clinic works directly with the patient. Partners Online Specialty Consultations works directly with the referring physician.

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How does an electronic second opinion compare with a second opinion from a local specialist?
Second opinions from local specialists can also be valuable resources. The advantage of these online programs is that physicians who are among the leading experts in their fields will be participating in your care. Many of these physicians also teach and chair departments at leading medical schools. As a result, they are up-to-date on the latest treatment options and have the technical expertise to find answers to difficult medical questions.

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Are any medical conditions excluded from the electronic second opinion program?
Most life-changing or life-threatening conditions are covered, although these might differ slightly by program (for example, e-Cleveland Clinic and Partners Online Specialty Consultations might offer consultations for slightly different sets of conditions).

The following conditions are not eligible for consultative opinion services: requests relating to infertility treatment; conditions related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ); elective cosmetic surgery; and gender reassignment treatment or surgery. GE retains the right to exclude other conditions.

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Will the online second opinion provider certify me as disabled or eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
No. The expert medical opinion program specialists are rendering opinions only. They are not actually providing treatment or care for patients. According to the terms of GE’s Disability Programs, only a doctor who is actually providing care can certify you as disabled (and this certification must be approved by the GE Disability Center). However, in making a decision to certify an employee as disabled, your treating physician is encouraged to take the second opinion into consideration.

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Are electronic second opinions available to everyone?
Anyone with computer access can request an electronic second opinion from e-Cleveland Clinic or Partners Online Specialty Consultations; however, the providers’ charges for these services are covered in full only for GE employees and dependents who are currently enrolled in GE Medical Care Options (such as GE Health Care Preferred, GE Health Care Select, GE Medical Benefits, GE Affiliate Health Plan (GEM), GE-offered HMO or the GE Global Medical Plan).

The Medical Board in each state independently sets rules governing the availability of electronic second opinions.

The following states currently have regulations that limit or exclude electronic second opinion services from e-Cleveland Clinic: California and North Dakota.

Residents from the following states are excluded from using Partners Online Specialty Consultations due to state regulatory constraints: Iowa, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee.

State regulations are subject to change. If you live in one of the states listed above, please contact the service provider to confirm the availability of these electronic second opinion services:

e-Cleveland Clinic
1-800-223-2273, ext. 43223

Partners Online Specialty Consultations
1-866-669-7954

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I live in a state that does not allow remote consultations, but my doctor practices in a neighboring state that allows them. Can I get an electronic second opinion?
Yes. State licensing requirements are based upon the state in which a physician practices. In the situation in question, the physician must initiate the request (whether you use e-Cleveland Clinic or Partners Online Specialty Consultations) and sign a physician consultation request form. This form is easily accessible online from both electronic second opinion providers.

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I live in a state that allows remote consultations, but my doctor practices in a neighboring state that does not allow them. Can I get an electronic second opinion?
Sometimes. If the state in which you reside allows direct consultation between you and e-Cleveland Clinic, you can proceed with the process through e-Cleveland Clinic.

Partners Online Specialty Consultations does not provide direct-to-patient consultations. Consequently, if your physician practices in a state that does not allow electronic second opinions, you cannot use the Partners Online Specialty Consultations service.

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Do I choose the physician for my electronic second opinion?
Typically the specialist is selected for you. Medical professionals at e-Cleveland Clinic will review your diagnosis and then determine which specialist is best suited to review your case and deliver a second opinion.

Partners Online Specialty Consultations typically selects the specialist. However, they also provide your physician with the option of requesting a specific specialist. It is important to note that requesting a specific specialist might extend the time it takes to render an opinion.

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Will the electronic second opinion doctor perform a physical exam?
No. He or she will carefully review your medical information, including your treating physician’s findings from your latest physical exam. Your medical tests and studies will also be reviewed. Using this information, the specialist will provide a written second opinion concerning your diagnosis and treatment recommendation.

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Can I speak with or e-mail the doctor who provides my second opinion?
This varies depending on which electronic second opinion program you choose.

e-Cleveland Clinic works directly with you on the second opinion. When your opinion is ready, you will receive an e-mail advising you to go to the secure Web site to view the opinion. A Registered Nurse will call you a few days after the opinion is completed to ensure that you understand it, to confirm that all of your questions are answered and to determine if you need any other assistance.

If you select Partners Online Specialty Consultations as your second opinion provider, you will not be able to ask questions of the specialist directly. However, your treating physician may discuss your case with the specialist who wrote the opinion.

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How long will it take to receive my opinion?
Once all of the required medical information and supporting documents have been received, your opinion will be rendered in about a week. You will be notified by e-mail when your opinion is ready for review.

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I do not have Internet access at work or at home. Can I still request an electronic second opinion?
Because electronic second opinion services are offered via the Internet, you must have Internet access to take advantage of these programs. You can access the Internet from any computer that is linked to an Internet Service Provider. If friends and family members do not have computers with Internet access, check your local library.

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Do I need an e-mail account to request an electronic second opinion?
Yes, you will need an e-mail account. Although you can safely use someone else’s computer to access and register on the electronic second opinion sites, it is recommended that you establish your own e-mail account to communicate with e-Cleveland Clinic or Partners Online Specialty Consultations to ensure your privacy. Many sites online offer free, password-protected e-mail accounts. Check out,www.hotmail.com,www.yahoo.com and others for details.

Remember, you will be notified by e-mail when your second opinion is ready. The information in your second opinion will not be transferred via e-mail. That information is housed on a secure server at the provider’s location (e-Cleveland Clinic or Partners Online Specialty Consultations) and can be accessed only by providing the user ID and password you created when you registered on the site.

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Can I use my GE computer/e-mail to access these expert medical opinion services at work?
Yes. GE ’ Electronic Communications Guidelines state that “occasional, incidental and infrequent use for reasonable non-business purposes may … be appropriate, but common sense and good judgment must be exercised to assure no use is abusive or inappropriate. Spending five or ten minutes occasionally to check a stock price, getting driving directions to a social event, or refilling a prescription online is reasonable.” Seeking an electronic second opinion from e-Cleveland Clinic or Partners Online Specialty Consultations would be considered acceptable non-business use of GE’s electronic systems.

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How can I be sure that the privacy of my medical information will be protected?
Both e-Cleveland Clinic and Partners Online Specialty Consultations adhere to the highest standard of privacy. To request a second opinion, the patient/requester must register using a user name and password. This establishes a secure connection between the patient and the second-opinion service. The patient’s information is encrypted using Secured Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption keys. Encrypted information is transferred privately between your computer and the second-opinion service. If the system detects that your browser does not meet this specification, you will be instructed to upgrade the browser.

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If I use my GE computer to access these services, can I be sure the confidentiality of my information is protected?
Both e-Cleveland Clinic and Partners Online Specialty Consultations collect patient medical information and provide electronic second opinions via secure Web sites, which require users to log on with user names and passwords to ensure the security of information. This privacy/security does not extend to information exchanged via e-mail. Employees should understand that their use of the company’s Internet and e-mail systems is not private and that to protect the security of the company, its employees and customers, the company monitors, on both a random and for-cause basis, the contents within its file messaging and storage systems to ensure the systems are not being misused.

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Will I have a permanent medical record at e-Cleveland Clinic or Partners Online Specialty Consultations?
The e-Cleveland Clinic specialists create a permanent medical record for each patient and review all materials, just as they do for patients who travel to The Cleveland Clinic, to ensure the same level of privacy, quality and service.

Partners Online Specialty Consultations maintains an electronic record of all transactions involving your case, as well as copies of all non-electronic data that are reviewed.

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Do my GE benefits cover second opinions and electronic second opinions?
During this pilot program, charges for electronic second opinions (as billed by e-Cleveland Clinic and Partners Online Specialty Consultations) are covered in full for employees and dependents enrolled in GE Medical Care Options (such as GE Health Care Preferred, GE Health Care Select, GE Medical Benefits, GE Affiliate Health Plan (GEM), GE-offered HMO or the GE Global Medical Plan).

For information regarding coverage of other second opinion options (such as in-person consultations in and out of your network), consult your GE Benefits Handbook or contact your health plan administrator by calling the number on your medical plan ID card.

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Do I still have the option to get a second opinion in person?
Yes. You can still choose to seek a second opinion from a physician in person. Coverage depends on your GE Medical Care Option and choice of doctor (in or out of network).

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Is the coverage different if I seek a second opinion from a specialist in my community instead of using an electronic second opinion service?
During this pilot program, charges for electronic second opinions (as billed by e-Cleveland Clinic and Partners Online Specialty Consultations) are covered in full for participants enrolled in GE Medical Care Options. If you choose to seek a second opinion in person, your coverage will depend on your plan and choice of doctor (in or out of network).

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Do I need to get a referral for a second opinion?
No referral is required for an electronic second opinion. If you are obtaining a second opinion in person, contact your health plan administrator for details about your referral requirements.

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My physician is not in my medical plan network. Can I still request an electronic second opinion from Partners Online Specialty Consultations? Does my physician’s out-of-network status impact the coverage for this service?
You can request an electronic second opinion whether or not your primary care/treating physician is in your health care network. Partners Online Specialty Consultations’ charges for the electronic second opinion will still be covered in full. However, follow-up consults and treatments with your local physician will continue to be covered according to the terms of your GE Medical Care Option.

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Can I seek an in-person second opinion as well as an electronic second opinion?
Yes. You can seek an in-person second opinion from a local physician and, in addition, request an electronic second opinion from some of the leading experts in the United States through e-Cleveland Clinic and/or Partners Online Specialty Consultations.

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Can I request electronic second opinions from both e-Cleveland Clinic and Partners Online Specialty Consultations?
Yes, but you are encouraged to complete the electronic second opinion process with one provider before initiating the process with the other.

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Am I covered if I travel to Cleveland or Boston for an in-person second opinion from The Cleveland Clinic or a specialist associated with Partners Online Specialty Consultations?
Only provider chargers associated with the online second opinions offered through this program are covered 100% by GE. If you are enrolled in a GE Medical Care Option (such as GE Health Care Preferred, GE Health Care Select, GE Medical Benefits, GE Affiliate Health Plan (GEM), GE-offered HMO or the GE Global Medical Plan), the level of coverage would depend on your plan. For example, if you are enrolled in a network-based plan like GE Health Care Preferred, you might be subject to out-of-network benefits if the physician you see does not participate in your health plan. Contact your health plan administrator for more information.

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Will I incur any charges from my physician for work related to these electronic second opinion processes? If so, would these be covered under the GE Medical Care Options?
Policies and procedures vary by physician. Any charges that result from your request for copies of medical records or participation in the electronic second opinion process are not covered by GE Medical Care Options and are not covered by GE as part of this pilot. However, if you have a health care flexible spending account, you can submit these charges for reimbursement.

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Can I transfer my care to the physician who provides the electronic second opinion?
If you are enrolled in a network-based plan like GE Health Care Preferred and the physician who offers the electronic second opinion does not participate in the network, then you will have to pay out-of-network charges if you transfer your care.

Online Health Information

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How does The Cleveland Clinic’s online Health Information Center work?
You have access to thousands of health information documents through The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Information Center. Information in The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center has been written and approved by Cleveland Clinic physicians, nurses or other health care professionals. In some cases, additional information has been pulled from reputable resources, such as the National Institutes of Health or other national organizations. Sources for this information are cited at the bottom of each health information document.

To access the Health Information Center, click on “Research a Disease or Condition” in the e-Cleveland Clinic Web site (http://www.eclevelandclinic.org/emphome.jsp?cid=ge). This will open a new window to the Clinic’s Health Information Center. Simply enter a search term or browse any of the other information in the Health Information Center, such as clinical trial information, Webcasts on popular health topics, and interactive health quizzes.

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What kind of information service is available online from The Cleveland Clinic?
Information on most diseases and conditions is available from The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center. In addition, timely health news and features are available through the e-Cleveland Clinic Consult online newsletter. Both can be accessed from the e-Cleveland Clinic/GE home page (http://www.eclevelandclinic.org/emphome.jsp?cid=ge).

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Can everyone access this online information service?
Yes. Health information via the e-Cleveland Clinic Web site is available to anyone who has access to a computer with Internet access.

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Can I request printed health information from The Cleveland Clinic?
Through the e-Cleveland Clinic Web site, the health information from The Cleveland Clinic can be printed directly from your computer. Although the e-Cleveland Clinic resource listing is very comprehensive, there may be some topics that are not included in the database. When this happens, a “Health Information Request Form” will appear at the bottom of your search request. This allows you to submit an e-mail request for information. A Cleveland Clinic Health Educator will fulfill the request by sending information on the topic to you either via e-mail or through the U.S. mail.

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Do I need to register to access this information?
You do not need to register to access health information from The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center. Simply access the site from any computer via the e-Cleveland Clinic/GE Web site: (http://www.eclevelandclinic.org/emphome.jsp?cid=ge).

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Is my confidentiality protected when I request information online?
When you submit a request to The Cleveland Clinic, including the Health Information Center, your request is encrypted using Secured Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption keys. Encrypted information is transferred privately between your computer and The Cleveland Clinic.

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What is Health Advocate?
Health Advocate, Inc. is an advocacy and assistance service company that GE has partnered with to assist members (GE only covers this service for employees and dependents that are currently enrolled in a GE Medical Care Option (GE Health Care Preferred, GE Health Care Select, GE Medical Benefits, GE Affiliate Health Plan (GEM), GE-offered HMO or the GE Global Medical Plan) in the collection of medical records when seeking services from the Expert Medical Opinion Program, specifically eCleveland Clinic. Health Advocate will contact all of your providers on your behalf to gather the records needed by the Cleveland Clinic to complete your electronic consultation.

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What is the process for obtaining Medical Record Collection services from Health Advocate?
The patient contacts e-Cleveland Clinic, which determines if he/she is an appropriate candidate for a second opinion via the Internet. If yes, the patient submits medical history information and answers questions specific to the diagnosis. The patient would then gather information pertinent to the diagnosis—such as pathology slides or X-rays. This is where Health Advocate comes in.

e-Cleveland Clinic will provide a Medical Record Check List which outlines the records needed to process the e-second opinion. This list can be shared with Health Advocate, via secure e-mail or secure fax. In addition, an advocate will walk the patient through completing the Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Private Health Information and The e-Cleveland Clinic Proxy Form, which confirms the member’s desire to use the services of Health Advocate.

Once Health Advocate obtains physician contact information, they will begin collecting the required medical records. Upon completion of collecting all records requested by the e Cleveland Clinic, Health Advocate will forward records to the eCleveland Clinic Triage Desk so the second opinion can be completed. The patient will be contacted when the records have been sent.

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When would I use Health Advocate?
When you reach Step 6 Checklists within MyConsult, download the documents presented on the Cleveland Clinic website. You can send these documents Health Advocate via a secure e-mail or secure fax after contacting them at 1-866-385-8034.

Contact Information

Health Advocate Inc.
3043 Walton Road
Suite 150
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
FAX: 610-834-1542
Members Toll Free
1-866-385-8034
Email: Records@HealthAdvocate.com