Zagat to Rate Health Care Pros
February 20th, 2009 by Jeb Foster
Nina Zagat, publisher of those ubiquitous maroon restaurant guides, is branching into the health care industry. (“Noted Rater of Restaurants Brings Its Touch to Medicine,” New York Times, Feb. 15, 2009.)
Zagat is asking WellPoint Blue Cross members—who number in the millions—to rate doctors on trust, communication and availability, among other things.
What to make of this trend?
“It is curious that they would go to a company that had no experience in health care to try to find out how good a doctor is,” a doctor told the Times. “It certainly is very subjective.”
Most of the health care professionals quoted in the Times article were hostile to the idea. It’s easy to see why—this would make them more accountable. Which is why I welcome the development and hope that it catches on with more insurers.
Tags: health care reform
