The True Cost of Optometry Scribe Services
A human scribe costs more than salary alone: benefits, training, turnover and management all add up. Here is how the options compare, and what Doctora costs.
Optometry Scribe Costs Compared
Typical market costs next to Doctora's published price
| Scribe Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Hidden Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Scribe | Typically $3,000 - $4,500 + benefits | Varies | Benefits, training, turnover, management |
| Virtual Scribe | Typically $1,500 - $2,500 | Varies | Setup, training, connectivity issues |
| Doctora AI Scribe | $199 | $2,388 | Flat price per doctor |
Hidden Costs of Human Scribes Most Practices Miss
The advertised salary is just the beginning
Benefits & Payroll Taxes
Health insurance, retirement contributions, payroll taxes, workers' comp, and unemployment insurance all add to the salary.
Turnover Costs
If a scribe leaves, each replacement requires recruiting, interviewing, training, and lost productivity.
Training Time
New scribes need extensive training on optometry terminology, your EHR system, and practice workflows, and you pay for that time.
Absence Coverage
Sick days, vacation, and personal time mean your scribe is absent part of the year. You either pay for coverage or revert to manual documentation during absences.
Annual Raises
To retain scribes and keep pace with inflation, expect annual raises. Doctora is priced per doctor.
Optometry Scribe Costs by Practice Size
Doctora is priced per provider
| Practice Size | Doctora Core Annual Cost (billed annually) |
|---|---|
| Single-Doctor Practice (1 OD) | $2,388 |
| Small Practice (2 ODs) | $4,776 |
| Medium Practice (3-4 ODs) | $7,164 - $9,552 |
| Large Practice (5+ ODs) | $11,940+ |
Note: Doctora is billed per provider. The totals above use the Core annual price of $2,388 per provider per year.
When Should You Switch from Human to AI Scribes?
If any of these apply, it's time to make the switch:
Your scribe costs more than you want to spend
Doctora Core is $199 per provider per month with annual billing, a flat price per doctor.
You've experienced scribe turnover
Why risk another disruption? Doctora does not quit, get sick, or need vacation.
You're considering hiring your first scribe
Skip the hiring, training, and management headaches. Start with AI from day one.
Documentation takes too long between patients
Doctora writes the exam into your EHR's fields, and the doctor reviews it.
You want to see more patients or finish earlier
Doctora writes charts as the exam happens, so you can use that time however you choose.
Compare Optometry Scribe Services
Doctora is a flat price per doctor, starting at $199 per provider per month with annual billing.