Frequently Asked Questions about Virtual Specialist Review

• When should I consider a Virtual Specialist Review? 

  • When diagnosed with a serious or complex condition, such as a rare disease.
  • When considering a major decision about next medical steps, such as surgery. 

• Do all specialties at VCU Health offer Virtual Specialist Reviews? 

  • At this time, just adult and pediatric neurosurgery is offering virtual specialist reviews. We will be expanding this service to other specialties in the future.

• Can anyone receive a Virtual Specialist Review? 

  • We offer virtual specialist reviews for patients and families outside the Greater Richmond area.  Due to state and local healthcare regulations in the areas listed below, virtual specialist reviews are not available to families in:
    • Wyoming
    • Vermont
    • Massachusetts
    • Maine
    • Utah 

• • The service can only be requested by a legal adult or in the case of a child, someone who is able to provide legal consent, such as an adoptive or natural parent, a personal representative, a person who is in loco parentis, or a person who has been appointed by a court or recognized by a court for children under 18 or those over 18 who do not have legal authority to consent on their own behalf. The service is also not available to patients who are currently hospitalized or engaged in a lawsuit related to their medical care.  
  • If you cannot participate in a virtual specialist review, we encourage you consider an in-person second opinion. Learn more about our services and specialties at VCU Health. 

• Will my current medical provider be upset if I request a Virtual Specialist Review? 

  • Expert recommendations are common in healthcare. Medical providers understand this and typically welcome the opinions of other specialists, particularly providers offering very subspecialized care. That’s why we share your specialist opinion report with your local physician. 

• Is an Virtual Specialist Review the same as a telehealth video visit? 

  • Virtual specialist reviews and telehealth video visits are not the same. A telehealth appointment is like any other in-person visit, just over a secure video call. Virtual specialist reviews don’t need to include a video or phone call because our physician reviews your existing medical records and focuses on the questions you already gave us. Then, you receive a written report detailing our physician’s recommendation to come to VCU Health for care. 

• Who will provide our Virtual Specialist Review

  • Dr. David Limbrick is currently the only physician currently offering virtual specialist reviews at VCU Health. 

• What is the cost for an Virtual Specialist Review? 

  • Virtual Specialist Reviews cost $500. Additional fees may apply if a radiologist or pathologist is asked to consult on the expert opinion. Your case manager will provide details about this if needed.  

• Does insurance cover the cost of a Virtual Specialist Review? 

  • Generally, insurance plans do not pay for virtual specialist reviews. Families pay for this service using a credit card or health savings account (HSA) card. 
  • After submitting payment through the Patient and Family Portal, you will receive a receipt by email. You can submit this to your HSA, or to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. VCU Health will not bill your insurance company directly.  

• What medical information will I need to submit for the Virtual Specialist Review? 

  • Your case manager will collect the medical information and records for you. If you prefer, you can upload everything yourself through the Patient and Family Portal. 

• Is information uploaded to your system kept safe and confidential? 

  • Yes. Our Patient and Family Portal complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and keeps all medical information protected and secure.  
  • We will keep your financial information secure, too, using industry-standard payment processing tools. And we do not retain credit card information after processing payment.  

• Is it possible to receive my specialist review in a language other than English? 

  • All of the medical records you provide need to be in English. However, we can have your final report translated into another language. If you are interested in this option, please ask your case manager for details. 

• When and how should I expect a response after my medical records are submitted? 

  • Once all necessary medical records are uploaded to the Patient and Family Portal, it typically takes five to seven business days for our specialists to provide the report. Your case manager will notify you by email when the written report is available in the portal for you and your local physician to review. 

• What if I have questions after receiving my report? 

  • Our team welcomes questions that relate to your original request and the information in the report. If your questions go beyond that, the case manager will discuss options with you, such as scheduling an in-person visit to VCU Health.  

• What if I want to transfer care to VCU Health after receiving the expert opinion? 

  • Let your case manager know. They will work with you to make necessary arrangements to transfer your or your child’s care to VCU Health.  

• If my child or I become a patient at VCU Health, will Dr. Limbrick provide care? 

  • Yes.