title: Second opinion programs: continued savings from nonconfirmed surgeries.
abstract: A second opinion program for elective surgery was one of the first tools utilized by employers to "manage" health care costs. These authors argue that second opinion programs continue to demonstrate their usefulness as part of overall health care cost-management effort.
authors.affiliation: Building Service 32B-J Health Fund, New York City.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007750:Labor Unions; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics; D009519:New York City; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000191:economics*