Anthem Blue Cross Expands Zagat Health Survey Tool

Woodland Hills, Calif.-based Anthem Blue Cross has expanded use of the Zagat Health Survey, an online survey tool that enables members to rate their experiences with their physicians, throughout the areas of San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento. In January 2008, Anthem Blue Cross launched the tool, from New York-based Zagat Surveys, for members to rate physicians in the greater Los Angeles market.

"We're pleased to expand this tool, allowing our members to review and share feedback about physicians throughout these additional areas of the state," said Leslie A. Margolin, president of Anthem Blue Cross. "Since launching the tool last year, we have seen a very positive response from our members, as nearly 90 percent of members who completed the survey recommended their providers and offered useful comments about their experiences."

The Zagat Health Survey tool provides a vehicle for members to review physicians based on a set of distinct criteria. The online survey tool allows consumers to review their doctor visits based on trust, communication, availability and environment. The online entry will display contact information for each network physician, ratings on a 30-point scale for each of the four categories, and the percentage of members who recommend that physician. The most recent comments will be displayed first, and members will have the option to rate the usefulness of comments and report suspicious comments. Anthem Blue Cross members can complete the Zagat Health Survey by logging on to the secure member portal on the Anthem Blue Cross Web site.

Peggy Bresnick Kendler has been a writer for 30 years. She has worked as an editor, publicist and school district technology coordinator. During the past decade, Bresnick Kendler has worked for UBM TechWeb on special financialservices technology-centered ... View Full Bio