Many states across the United States are beginning to implement a new system designed to rate doctors. The health insurance companies who are actively generating ratings for doctors believe this will spread across the nation. A doctor rating system implemented by health insurance companies can greatly benefit both the consumers and doctors. Consumers will gain the ability to make a wise decision while choosing a doctor. Although most doctors do not approve of the rating system for fear of falsely receiving a low rating, it can ultimately benefit doctors by attracting more patients to their practices. But the systems in place now do not disclose how ratings are calculated. Under the current system, doctors do not have an opportunity to respond to an issue which they do not agree with. The new system has been designed with the help of the American Medical Association. The new systems designed will appease some of the doctor’s demands.

Under the new rating system:

• Insurance Companies will disclose how ratings are calculated
• Base ratings on more than just cost and efficiency
• Doctors will have the ability to appeal any ratings