It's been my experience that Insurance companies WANT you to have a 2nd or 3rd opinion BEFORE having a major surgery.

When I was first dx with TOS, the neurologist said I needed a surgery but he would not be the one to do it. 2 years later when the pain was unbearable, my GP wanted ME to find a surgeon (result: failed surgery and damage beyond the TOS). That's when Beth took me aside and recommended Dr Annest in Denver. One visit to him and it was like suddenly, someone KNEW what to do and had the experience to DO IT! My confidence level increased 1000%.

Analogy: If your refrigerator had a short in the wiring, you'd take it to a refrigerator repair place. Not an auto mechanic. Sure, an auto mechanic may have knowledge of wiring and electricity, but how many refrigerators has he repaired? And would going to an auto mechanic void the warranty on the frig.?