Getting a 2nd medical opinion?

Sorry that you were not treated with respect.....sometimes we in medicine can become too jaded and lose perspective.  PAs are dependent practioners which means they have a supervising physician.  You can always request to be seen by the supervising physician.  The other option is that every medical facility in the Army has a procedure to file patient complaints.  I would utilize one of those procedures.  The last option is to contact Joint Commission which is a regulatory agency that oversees medical practice in the US.  If there is anything you need assistance with let me know and I will guide you the best I can

Yes, according to TriCare, you are entitled to a second opinion. However, if it's outside of the TriCare network, you will need a referral or consult. Be careful about seeking medical treatment/advice/etc outside of TriCare. You could potentially jeopardize your medical benefits and end up paying for it out of pocket if they do a line of duty determination. Typically civilian providers are only approved by TriCare if the military equivalent or specialist is not available. Hope this helps.

You always have the right to ask for a referral for a 2nd opinion, the PA at the TMC may not like the idea but he can't deny it. Just ask for a referral after you have been sent for x-rays, you may possibly be sent to OT/PT for evaluation as it is and then they could refer you out if need be. It is just like anything until you ask you will never know.