[Obtaining a Second Opinion in Germany: an Analysis of the Billing Data of the Health Insurer AOK Nordost].

Objectives: The aim of this billing data analysis was to examine the implementation of the second opinion directive in Germany and to investigate how often informing patients about their right to a second opinion (SO) and obtaining a SO are documented.

Methods: To examine the frequency of "informing about SO" and "obtaining an SO", insured patients who received an indication for tonsillectomy, tonsillotomy or hysterectomy in 2019 or 2020 were included, as well as insured patients who received an indication for shoulder arthroscopy in Q2-Q3 2020. Data were analyzed descriptively.