ZocDoc Comes to South Carolina, Helping Patients Find Doctors and Instantly Book Appointments Online

CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ZocDoc, the tech company at the beginning of a better healthcare experience, arrives in the Charleston area today, delivering faster access to quality medical care. With ZocDoc, patients can find in-network neighborhood doctors, instantly book appointments and fill out their paperwork online, see what other real patients have to say, get reminders for upcoming appointments and preventive checkups, and more.

Not only does ZocDoc's free service make the appointment-booking process much easier, it also makes it much faster despite a nationwide doctor shortage. This shortage – which has contributed to a national average wait time to see a physician of nearly three weeks – is particularly acute in South Carolina. The state ranks near the bottom nationally for the number of primary care doctors per resident, according to a report by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

And according to the Coalition for Access to Health Care, more than 800,000 new patients are entering the South Carolina healthcare system under the Affordable Care Act this year, worsening the existing doctor shortage and strain on the healthcare system.

ZocDoc's arrival will help South Carolina patients receive faster care by revealing the hidden supply of appointments in doctors' calendars caused by cancellations and shifting schedules – up to 25 percent of a doctor's day – and making them instantly available online. This transparency increases efficiency for local medical practices and reduces patients' long wait times. The typical ZocDoc patient sees a doctor within 24 hours – far less than the national average of more than 18 days.

"South Carolina patients are not alone in their difficulty to find the right doctor and quickly secure care," said ZocDoc founder and CEO Cyrus Massoumi. "We are looking forward to making the healthcare process simpler and more efficient for them, as we do for millions of patients each month around the country."

To access the ZocDoc marketplace, patients can visit the ZocDoc website (www.zocdoc.com) or the free ZocDoc mobile apps for iPhone or Android and enter their location, insurance, and the type of doctor they would like to see. They can also search by additional criteria, such as gender and languages spoken. ZocDoc shows neighborhood physicians' real-time availability, qualifications and photos, and verified patient reviews. Patients select an available appointment time and click to book instantly.

South Carolina patients can use ZocDoc Check-In to speed the paperwork process. Their medical history forms can be filled out online prior to a first appointment, and then travel with the patient from doctor to doctor – saving time and providing physicians with more complete and accurate patient information. ZocDoc email and text Appointment Reminders and personalized Wellness Reminders also help patients better manage their health.

At launch, patients can use ZocDoc to book appointments with participating South Carolina primary care doctors; dentists; obstetrician-gynecologists; dermatologists; and ear, nose, and throat doctors. Additional physicians and specialties will be added over the coming months. To learn more about ZocDoc, please visit the ZocDoc press room. Follow the latest ZocDoc news on the ZocDoc blog, via Twitter, or on Facebook.

About ZocDoc
ZocDoc is the tech company at the beginning of a better healthcare experience. Each month, millions of patients use ZocDoc to find in-network neighborhood doctors, instantly book appointments online, see what other real patients have to say, get reminders for upcoming appointments and preventive check-ups, fill out their paperwork online, and more. With a mission to give power to the patient, ZocDoc's online marketplace delivers the accessible, seamless, and simple experience patients expect and deserve. ZocDoc is free for patients and available across the United States via ZocDoc.com or the ZocDoc app for iPhone and Android.

CONTACT: Casey Roberts, [email protected], 646-736-2994

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SOURCE ZocDoc

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