Now consumers don’t have to let their fingers do the walking to pick a doctor, specialist or healthcare facility. Thanks to services like Healthgrades.com, MDNationwide.org and RateMDs.com you can make an informed choice by logging in online.
Each of these web based evaluation and rating services collect information in different ways. Some services are free, while others provide detail on a pay-per-service basis.
Healthgrades.com compiles data from dozens of independent public and private sources and translates it into easily understandable, objective report card ratings on the healthcare providers in question. Scoring is provided for physicians, hospitals and nursing homes, with information being updated quarterly, annually and monthly respectively. The NASDAQ listed Health Grades Inc. information is targeted for consumer, industry and insurance use, with more than 12 million site hits last year. High level hospital ratings are free, all other reports are offered on a pay-per-service basis.
MDNationwide.org has been around since 2002. A privately held for-profit Research & Information Company, they specialize in researching and identifying the top medical doctors in the
RateMDs.com is a free service that sources its ratings directly from consumers. What it will tell you is on a scale of one (poor) to five (excellent) whether the doctor you are considering was perceived as punctual, helpful and knowledgeable by those who have rated them. There is also a section for consumers entering their score to provide ad hoc comments. There is a disclaimer right on the site that “ratings and comments have not been substantiated by RateMDs.com”. So the scoring is not exactly impartial or even objective.
So whether you looking for a family physician or a specialist for a second opinion, details to help you make a more informed decision are just a click away.
