Getting a second opinion from India: which reports to send

A second opinion from India starts with your reports, not a visit. Send a short summary of your condition, your most recent test results, imaging with the written report, any biopsy report and a list of current medicines. A specialist reviews these and tells you what else is needed before a plan can be proposed.

What is a second opinion from India, in practice?

It is a specialist in India reading the reports you already have and giving a view on your case. It helps you decide whether to travel and what to plan for. It is not a full consultation. The treating specialist still needs to examine you in person before any final decision.

India’s Telemedicine Practice Guidelines of 2020 say telemedicine cannot replace a physical examination. They also state that they do not provide for consultations outside India’s jurisdiction. So treat a review of your reports from abroad as an early opinion that helps you plan. It is not a diagnosis or a prescription.

Which reports should I send first?

Start with what your doctor at home has already done. You do not need new tests to ask for an opinion. A clear and complete set is more useful than a large one.

• A one-page summary of the problem, when it started and what treatment you have had
• The latest discharge summary or doctor’s letter, if you have one
• Recent blood tests and other laboratory results, with dates
• Imaging reports such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI or PET, with the written report from the radiologist
• Biopsy or pathology reports, if any were done
• A list of current medicines with doses, and any known allergies
• Details of past surgery and other long-term conditions

Do I need to send the scans themselves or just the report?

Send both if you can. The written report tells the specialist what your radiologist saw. Many specialists also want to look at the images. Ask your imaging centre for a copy of the original scan files on a disc or by download link. Photos of the films taken on a phone are often hard to read.

How should I prepare the files?

A little order saves days of back and forth. The guidelines place the responsibility for the accuracy of shared information on the patient. So check each file before you send it.

• Scan paper reports clearly as PDF files, one report per file
• Name each file with the date and the test, for example 2026-09-14 MRI brain
• Make sure your name appears the same way on every report and matches your passport
• Put reports in date order with the newest first
• If a report is not in English, say so, and keep the original as well

What will the specialist tell me?

Usually one of three things. The reports are enough for a provisional view and a suggested plan. More tests are needed first, which may be done at home or on arrival. Or the case needs an in-person examination before anything useful can be said. The specialist decides what information is needed. That is their call, not ours.

How does the opinion connect to the visa?

Once a hospital has reviewed your reports and you decide to travel, you can ask it for the letter you need for the e-Medical visa. The official e-Visa portal asks for a copy of a letter from the hospital in India on its letterhead, together with the bio page of your passport. You can apply at least 4 days before arrival, within a window of 120 days. Our guide to the hospital letter covers what it should show.

Is there a cost to get the opinion?

Hospitals set their own policies, and these vary. Ask before you send anything. IndiaMedica’s case review is free to the patient. We share your reports with suitable accredited hospitals and help you compare their replies. Where we receive a referral fee from a hospital, we disclose it, and it never changes your price.

If you are ready to share your reports, you can start with a free case review. Your case manager will tell you if anything important is missing.