Our Mission & Vision

At MD For Patients, our mission is to return to the heart of medicine—where thoroughness, trust, and thoughtful expertise guide every decision. We empower both patients and their local physicians by providing expert second opinions that enhance care choices, build confidence, and support true transparency. Our vision is to transform the patient experience through high-touch, personalized consulting—ensuring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind at every step of care.

1. Scope of Consulting

As a second-opinion consultant, you offer expertise and recommendations to help guide patient care. The patient’s primary care provider (PCP) or local specialist remains responsible for all final clinical decisions. You may suggest tests, testing protocols, studies, therapies, or medications—but you do not order them. Please clearly communicate the advisory nature of your role to both patients and involved physicians.

2. Service Standards

We expect each consultant to deliver:

•Responsiveness: Prompt replies and timely completion of all consults and communications.

•Completeness: Thorough, well-supported recommendations and documentation.

•Ethical Practice: Objective, evidence-based advice with the highest professional standards.

•Sensitive Value: Make recommendations mindful of medical necessity—always consider the best use of a patient’s financial resources.

•Exceptional Customer Service: Treat patients and providers with respect, empathy, and clear communication at every interaction.

3. Support: Member Services

If you have any questions, encounter challenges, or need assistance, our Member Services team is here to help. Reach out anytime for guidance or support—we want to make your consulting experience smooth and efficient. You can reach us at:  memberservices@mdforpatients.com

4. Initial Inquiry: Estimate and Scope
From time to time, we will reach out to see if a case is a good match for your expertise. If it isn’t, that’s perfectly fine—our priority is ensuring you feel confident that each consultation draws on your strengths.

When you do accept, we may ask:

•Which records you would need to conduct a thorough review

•Your best estimate of how much time the process may take (record review, consultation, and report writing)

We know you cannot predict this precisely at the outset. Still, offering an estimate helps us keep our promise of transparency with patients, setting them up with realistic expectations from the very beginning.

5. Records & HIPAA

Consultation invitations and access to patient records will be provided via a secure platform called Secure File. On occasion, you may also be asked to access records or images through another of our secure platforms.  

Imaging File Review

If you are a consultant who may be viewing images, please note the following:

•Imaging files from previous providers usually include viewing software that may not always function properly.

•Consultants may prefer to use a consistent, reliable DICOM image viewer such as RadiAnt (PC) or Osirix (Mac) which are readily available for download and can be used instead of provider-supplied viewers.

You must carefully follow all HIPAA guidelines regarding privacy and information handling.

If you become aware of a potential HIPAA violation by MD For Patients, immediately contact: kim.smart@mdforpatients.com

6. Billing: Payment Model

Patients self-pay for all work that MD For Patients performs. We do not accept insurance or government programs. We ask that the time billed for case work be necessary and reasonable.

7. Patient & Provider Invitations

Patients may invite their PCP to join the consultation. Alternatively, if a PCP initiates the consultation, they may invite the patient to participate. Please encourage collaborative dialogue while respecting each participant’s preferences.

8. Consultation

Consultants can use Doximity or any HIPAA-compliant platform such as Zoom to speak with the patient. At times, it is also appropriate to have a telephone conversation instead of video. Member Services is happy to help coordinate the consultation visit, if that is your preference. 

9. Documentation: Post-Consultation Notes

After each consultation, you are required to document your assessment and recommendations in a post-consultation note. A link to complete this documentation will be provided in your case-related introduction. Please ensure notes are submitted promptly at the conclusion of the visit. These consultation notes will be shared with the primary care providers or referring specialist and/or the patient.

10. Billing Process: Time Tracking

All billing is by the minute for each encounter. The patient is provided an estimate for the amount of time that will be required for their consultation, including record reviews and report writing. We will advise you of the amount of time the patient expects will be spent on the case. As you approach that amount of time, if it appears you will require additional time, please let us know so we can prepare an adjusted estimate for the patient. 

Please submit your time each day for any work performed on a case. You will receive a secure billing link to make daily submissions.

11. No-Show Policy

If a patient does not show for a scheduled consultation, the reasonable time to wait—and bill for—is 5 minutes.

Thank you for partnering with MD For Patients to provide world-class expertise, compassion, and service to our patients and colleagues. Your commitment ensures our community receives the highest standard of second-opinion consulting in medicine.