Get access to an expert medical opinion at no cost
Make the best decisions about your care with your own team of expert orthopedic nurses and surgeons. With Hinge Health's Expert Medical Opinion (EMO) program, you don't even need to leave home.
Or book a call with a care coordinator for more information.
Make informed decisions about your back and joint pain
Get a thorough understanding of your diagnosis and maximize your ability to recover. Hinge Health's whole-body approach to care looks beyond just physical causes, addressing emotional and lifestyle factors as well.With your Hinge Health EMO, you can…
With your Hinge Health EMO, you can…
Get clarity about your treatment options
Often, patients have multiple treatment options, but choosing can be confusing. Your EMO will explain each option to help you understand what's best for your situation.
Get your questions answered
Doctor visits can feel rushed, often leaving your questions unanswered. EMO gives you dedicated time to ask questions and create a treatment plan with Hinge Health's expert medical team.
Feel confident about your next steps
Your EMO includes a detailed report about your condition and options, so you know you're making a thoughtful decision about how to move forward with your care.
You can depend on Hinge Health’s expert care
“It was the Expert Medical Opinion program that gave me the piece of mind I needed to go forth and live my life.”
Duane, Hinge Health member
Expert opinion, exceptional member experience.
Hinge Health members feel more in control of their pain and treatment plan after receiving an EMO.
Hinge Health members feel more optimistic about reaching their long-term pain goals after receiving an EMO.
FAQs
EMO gives you the opportunity to speak with an unbiased specialist about your back or joint condition and to ask questions that may not have been answered by your surgeon. Our expert team is here to support you so you can make the best decisions about your MSK health.
- Common questions members have asked during EMO include:
- Is surgery the best path for me?
- What else can I try to manage my pain before deciding on surgery?
- Are there activities I should be avoiding?
- What's the most likely outcome after surgery?
- If surgery is in my future, how can I prepare for surgery to enable the best outcome?
You will receive a detailed report about your condition that includes tailored education about your diagnosis, a review of your condition and imaging findings, and the treatment options that are most appropriate for you. Additionally, you will develop a plan with our providers to ensure you feel confident going forward with next steps.
For our team to provide an EMO, we do need recent imaging (x-ray, CT, or MRI) and a consultation with a clinician at a surgeons office, which may be a surgeon (MD) or another provider like a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant.
After you’ve provided contact information for the specialists and facilities that you’ve been to, our team will obtain the records to perform the EMO.
The typical steps in the EMO process are:
- Fill out an EMO application questionnaire
- Our team of experts reviews your application
- You will be scheduled a 45 minute intake call
- Our board-certified Orthopedic Surgeons and Pain Specialists will thoroughly review your case.
- We will then provide you with a detailed PDF report and have a video call to discuss your case and next steps
In total the process takes approximately 7-10 business days to complete. Timing is dependent on how quickly we are able to obtain your necessary medical records from external providers.
Not at this time.
Yes, you can have an EMO for your knee, shoulder, hip, neck/upper back or low back, regardless of your Hinge Health program body part.
You can still receive an EMO if your surgery is more than 4 weeks away from the date you apply. We want to ensure there is enough time to complete the EMO and for you to make any changes to your plan, as appropriate.