Finding the right medical professionals to monitor your health, help you deal with ongoing issues and provide you with guidance as you age is incredibly important. If you want to feel and look your best, it’s important that you keep up with routine physicals, blood work and potentially the use of prescription medication. In addition to a primary care physician, you may also need to maintain a relationship with a dentist, mental health professional or specialist.
Many people find it difficult to find the right doctor that makes them feel comfortable. There are patients who have switched four, five, even six times before finding a professional that they’re happy with. You can call your health insurance company to obtain a list of professionals in your area that are accepting new patients, but there are also resources online that allow you to research potential doctors, check out reviews and much more. Zocdoc is one of these websites, and we’re going to look at it in great detail in this article.
Quick Summary of Zocdoc Review
| Telehealth software: | Zocdoc |
| What it's best for: | Matching you with the perfect medical professional in your area |
| Are the customer reviews legit: | Yes, the reviews are from real customers who used that particular medical professional, their experience and if they recommend them to others |
| Types of medical professionals to choose from: | Over 50 medical specialties including, Primary care, Dentists, Psychiatrists, OB-GYN, Dermatologist, Eye Doctors, etc. |
| Cost for booking appointments: | Booking appointments with Zocdoc is 100% free for patients, they make their money with the medical professionals |
| Is there an app: | Yes, zocdoc app on apple store and zocdoc on google play |
| Website: | zocdoc.com |
| Average app rating: | 4.6/5 (Over 9,900 reviews) |
| GW Rating: | 4.5/5 |
Zocdoc
What Is Zocdoc?
Zocdoc is an internet tool that provides you with the opportunity to search for a variety of doctors in your area including surgeons, dentists, primary care physicians and psychiatrists. Once you’ve narrowed down your search you can look into reviews from people who have dealt with that professional. There are also biographies listed on the Zocdoc website that list credentials, locations and much more. It’s a completely free website to use.
Who's Behind Zocdoc?
Zocdoc was created by Oliver Kharrax, Nick Ganju and Cyrus Massoumi in 2007. Massoumi was inspired after suffering from an ear condition while traveling. He wanted to seek medical attention but didn’t know where to begin. It actually began as a service for dentists and then quickly expanded to over 100 different specialties before becoming what it is today.
What do they stand for?
Zocdoc helps millions of people find healthcare providers that are in-network and out of network so you can find someone that can help you and is qualified to do so. This company also wants to connect doctors with the community that they want to serve so everyone is healthy, happy and being well cared for.
Can this platform be trusted?
This is a trustworthy website that keeps your information private, cares about providing you with accurate and verified reviews and allows you to control the process of searching for a doctor.
Safety and Compliance
You can view Zocdoc’s privacy policy by visiting https://www.zocdoc.com/about/privacypolicy/. Your data is kept safe and secure following HIPAA and PHI criteria.
Pros
- Free for eligible patients
- Provides you with access to over 50 different medical specialties
- Customer service available 24/7
Cons
- Availability may be limited depending on where you live. Urban areas tend to provide more results.
- You are not guaranteed to find results for the type of doctor you’re looking for
How Does It Work?
Zocdoc is a website that’s easy to use. All you need to do is use your email address to sign up for a free account. You can also utilize a login for Google, Facebook or Apple. Zocdoc is available using a web browser, but there is also a mobile app that you can download to iOS or Android devices. Simply type in your medical condition, the name of the procedure you want to have done, doctor’s names or a zip code to access relevant information.
You have the ability to refine your search based on your local area, the insurance carrier that you’re using, etc. You can look at providers that are both in and out of your network. Details are provided for each doctor that you can review. This includes their education, professional background and verified reviews from real patients. It’s then up to you to contact those doctors if you would like to set up an appointment for an in-person consultation. You can also use the Zocdoc website to book an appointment. You’ll receive a confirmation email with the details of your appointment. Your appointments can be managed through the website as long as you log in.
Depending on the doctor that you choose to work with, you may be able to use the Zocdoc check-in process. This allows you to fill out any necessary paperwork prior to your appointment to save time in the office. Keep in mind, just because it’s available doesn’t mean you have to use it. You can always review the forms in-person during your appointment. Zocdoc applies to medical professionals all across the U.S., though some areas may show more results than others.
What Can Zocdoc Match You Up With?
There are various medical services and types of professionals that you can find through Zocdoc. This includes:
Primary Care
Primary care physicians are your first stop for medical care when you’re in need of a routine physical, blood work, illness diagnosis / treatment, prescription medication, pain management and much more. If there is something specific that your primary care physician feels that you need, they will refer you to an applicable specialist.
Dentist
Routine dental appointments are important for your oral health, but a dentist can often diagnose a number of health issues before your primary care physician can. It’s important that you prevent the development of cavities and gum disease as these things impact your bodily health as well. Some health insurance covers routine dental appointments, but you may also have separate dental insurance that you can use through Zocdoc to find a covered professional in your area. There is always the option to purchase dental care out of pocket as well.
OB-GYN
Routine OB-GYN care includes pap smears, breast exams, pregnancy appointments and more. Female health is incredibly important and should be provided by a specialist that is experienced with women’s health, reproductive health, breast health, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, etc.
Dermatologist
A dermatologist can help you maintain healthy skin that is clear of acne, eczema and other skin conditions. You may also be someone that needs an annual skin check to spot potentially cancerous or precancerous spots and moles. You can also use a dermatologist for cosmetic procedures like Botox and fillers.
Psychiatrist
There is one in five adults that deal with mental health issues, and psychiatrists can help manage conditions like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Therapists and counselors are useful for cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments, but a specialized psychiatric professional may be needed for certain issues.
Eye Doctor
The eyes are very delicate and play an important role in how your brain sees the world around you. Eye doctors can be used to treat and prevent a number of infections, diseases and conditions. Retaining your vision is ideal, and you should never leave issues unchecked like blurry vision, floaters and double vision.
Veterinarian
Zocdoc even allows you to search for Veterinarians for your pups, cats or other pets.
Benefits of Using Zocdoc
I’ve talked about the different providers that you can find through Zocdoc as well as how this process works, but I’d like to discuss the multiple benefits of using Zocdoc.
Find Doctors and Dentists in Your Local Area
You could sit down at your computer and do a quick Google search to try and find doctors and dentists in your area, but this type of search process isn’t as specific and tailored as you need it to be. It’s also not convenient. You can find all of your results in one place on Zocdoc, as well as other information that you can use to decide who you want to go with.
Browse Providers Who Take Your Insurance
A quick checkbox on Zocdoc will remove or add doctors on your list based on whether or not they take your current insurance. Medical care is extremely expensive, which is why you want to make sure you’re not faced with any surprise bills that you’ll be responsible for because you accidentally visited a doctor that you’re not covered for.
Book an Online Appointment
Skip sitting on the phone waiting for a receptionist to book an appointment for you. Zocdoc allows you to schedule an appointment, reschedule an appointment and even complete pre-appointment forms from the comfort of your own home.
Are Zocdoc Patient Reviews Legitimate?
All of the reviews listed on Zocdoc are legitimate and verified. You can rest assured that the information you’re reading comes right from the patients that sat in the offices of those professionals. You’ll be able to learn all about the good, bad and neutral that people experienced during their appointments. Partner reviews are also collected by independent third-party survey providers. You’ll see both positive and negative reviews so you can form your own opinion about your care.
Alternatives Compared to Zocdoc
Wondering if there are any alternatives on the internet that are similar to Zocdoc? Let’s check out a few.
Go Forward for Primary Care
Go Forward takes a long-term health approach to your medical care. Instead of simply treating symptoms that you have, you’ll be focusing on prevention of heart disease, cancer and illness. Top-rated doctors combined with advanced technology allows you to truly understand your body and your health so you can plan for the future. Biometrics, blood tests, genetic analysis and family history are just some of the data that is collected by Go Forward.
You’ll also be asked to develop goals for the future. Some people want to lower their blood pressure or cholesterol numbers. Other people are dedicated to losing weight. Whatever your goals are, they will produce a positive change for your health and wellbeing.
Cerebral for Mental Health
Cerebral is an online platform that allows you to take control of your mental health. You can get help for conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADHD using prescriber visits, therapy, counseling, and prescriptions (which come right to your home). You’ll partake in regular assessments and appointments to manage your condition and your medication. All you have to do to start is fill out a simple form online, connect with a provider and then meet with your care counselor.
Found for Weight Care
Found is an online weight loss program (read our review here) that focuses on not only your physical health, but also your mental and emotional health. This whole-body and mind approach to weight loss helps you address issues that could be leading to weight gain or a weight loss plateau such as overeating or stress eating. Understanding your relationship with food is what Found has used to help people lose more than 200,000 pounds collectively.
Cove for Migraines
If you’ve ever suffered from a migraine, then you know how debilitating this issue can be. Cove helps you receive an accurate migraine diagnosis and then provides you with access to helpful medication that will prevent and treat your symptoms. You get quality and affordable migraine care from the comfort of your home. Different medications are available, including acute medications, preventive medications, nausea medications and dietary supplements.
Bristle for Oral Health
Get a full profile look at your whole-body health with an oral profile from Bristle Health. You can find out more about what’s causing your bad breath, tooth decay, and gum inflammation while also receiving personalized product, diet, and hygiene recommendations that can help fix these problems. You simply order a kit, collect a saliva sample, send it back to the lab and wait a few weeks to receive your online results.
The Bottom Line: Should You Use Zocdoc?
It’s more than likely that you’ve switched doctors a few times in your life because you just didn’t feel like the one you chose was a good match. There’s nothing wrong with addressing differing personalities and medical care needs, but it helps to use different resources to simplify the process of finding a new doctor. When you use Zocdoc you have the ability to find your forever doctor that will care about your health as much as you do. You can also use this website to find a provider that you can meet with online. Virtual healthcare is something that really took off during the pandemic, and many people find that it’s convenient to manage their care that way.
Tips for Success from the RD
Wondering how you should choose a new doctor? Here are some of my tips to simplify your search.
Ease of Appointments
If you’re going to be making appointments to see the doctor you choose in-person, you’ll want to find out more about their availability. Will you be able to get a fast appointment if you’re not feeling well and want to be seen? If it takes months to get a physical appointment, you might not prefer this availability. You should also inquire about available online appointments and office hours after you get out of work.
Doctor Personality
You’re not going to become best friends with your doctor, but it’s important that you have similar personalities so you can comfortably discuss your care with your provider. If you have a sensitive subject to be brought up at your next appointment, you don’t want to feel uncomfortable or judged.
Check Online
As we’ve talked about in this article, do your research ahead of time to see what other people thought of a potential doctor you’re considering. Look at both the good reviews and the bad so you know what to expect.
