Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Zoc Doc anyone?

Hey all just wondering if anyone on here is using zoc doc to make online appointments and get new patients? Have you guys found that you are getting people you wouldn't have found before? is it a pain in the [censored] for your front desk staff?

Other thoughts on it?

If you don't have it and are thinking about it lets talk and maybe we can work out a deal with them.

I have used zoc doc and I find that it is very helpful. I would be happy to provide more information.

I'm not a Zocdoc fan. In a rush right now, but I'll post later on w/ details.

I was one of the early zocdoc users in NYC back when it was free for PCPs (around 2007 or 2008 I think) so I am open do the idea of a service like Zocdoc. It can be a source for new patient if you can accept the negatives.

1) Their scheduler is rather quirky. It can set up will if all visits are the same time length, but if you have different visit time lengths you may have some problems with the quirks.
2) Most Zocdoc patients don't put the reason for their visit on the request. We firmly beleive we need an idea of why someone is coming in so we can prepare, adjust appointment times if necessary, or even send them straight to the ER or specialist if warranted. Often they don't even put their address. The system doesnt integrate with the EMR, so you can't download this data to AC. Previously the schedule didn't integrate with an EMR. I've been told that the schedule now can link with AC so that if someone schedules on Zocdoc it will show up on AC. How about the reverse?

3) My biggest issue is with their anonymous doctor rating and comment policy. That thing on their website that explains their policy...well, all it really means is that they will verify that the person is actually a zocdoc user and was supposed to have visited you. But if the anonymous person simply says something broadbased like "These people are incompetent" with no discussion of their visit, they will post this and you cannot make comments...even if you do know who it is. I discussed this with them and was told that "our purpose is to empower the patient." Well, since I have to pay $250/month and the patients pay $0, I don't feel that should be main purpose. They should make some allowance for the paying customer to respond.

I had the same experience with them that I've had with other "doctor rating" sites. Usually, the happy patients don't say anything, and the ones who just didn't get what they wanted (because they weren't supposed to typically)just try to damage your business. It's as if you are paying RateMD.(probably the worst of the rating sites) But granted,more of the happy zocdoc patients will go ahead and comment than is typically the case with other rating sites.

I find it better to have a nice website and online scheduler that better integrates with AC (Appointment Quest, Updox, etc.) Aetna is the only insurance carrier that will put a link to your website in the profile, but that helps too. With the templates, building a basic website is not that difficult. I also do satisfaction surveys of our patients (haven't lately, but I'll start up again).