WellPoint Launches Online Physician Ranking Guide Developed With Zagat Survey
Indiana-based WellPoint on Tuesday announced the launch of an online physician ranking guide developed in partnership with Zagat Survey, that will allow members to rank physicians based on trust, communication, availability and office environment, the Baltimore Sun reports (Baltimore Sun, 1/9). According to WellPoint, members of certain high-deductible health plans in California, Connecticut and Ohio will first use the guide. The guide, which will not include rankings for effectiveness of care and will apply only to physicians in the WellPoint network, will supplement company data on cost and quality.
WellPoint spokesperson Cheryl Leamon said, "Our goal is to make the health care system more transparent" and help "improve customer service" (Bloomberg/New York Daily News, 1/9).
