How We Score — CareTally Methodology

Overview

One score from many sources

The Tally is a single number from 0–100 that reflects a provider's overall reputation across every major patient review platform. Rather than forcing patients to visit seven different sites, we do the work of collecting, normalizing, and weighting those scores into one clear signal.

Our goal is not to replace those platforms — it's to give you a fast, trustworthy starting point. Every score links directly to its source so you can always read the full context yourself.

We never display review text. We only aggregate publicly available numerical scores from each platform and link users directly to the original source.

The Process

How it works, step by step

Collect raw scores

We gather the publicly available star rating (e.g. 4.7 out of 5) and total review count for each provider from every supported platform.

Normalize to a 100-point scale

Each platform uses slightly different scales (some 1–5 stars, some 1–10). We convert all scores to a consistent 0–100 scale before combining them.

Apply platform weight

Not all platforms are equal. We weight each platform based on review volume, verification standards, and general consumer trust. A platform with verified-patient-only reviews counts more than an open platform.

Apply recency adjustment

Reviews from the past 12 months are weighted 1.5× more than older reviews. A provider's current performance matters more than their reputation from 4 years ago.

Apply volume confidence factor

A 5-star rating from 3 reviews is not the same as 5 stars from 800 reviews. Scores from providers with fewer than 10 reviews are shown with a low-confidence indicator.

Calculate final score

The weighted, adjusted scores are combined into a single 0–100 Tally. The score is recalculated whenever a source platform updates.

The Formula

What the math looks like

In plain terms, the Tally is a weighted average of normalized platform scores, adjusted for recency and volume confidence.

Tally Formula

Tally = Σ ( Normalized Score × Platform Weight × Recency Factor )
× Volume Confidence Factor

Where Normalized Score = (Raw Rating / Max Rating) × 100
Recency Factor = 1.5 for reviews ≤12 months old, 1.0 for older reviews
Volume Confidence Factor = min(1.0, log₁₀(review count) / 3)

If only one platform has data for a provider, the score is calculated from that source alone but shown with a single-source warning, since cross-platform consistency is part of what makes a score reliable.

Platform Weights

How much each platform counts

We assign weight based on three factors: the platform's total verified review volume, whether reviews are restricted to confirmed patients, and the platform's general credibility and consumer trust score.

Platform	Verification	Weight
Google Reviews	Open (any Google user)	20%
Healthgrades	Partially verified	20%
Zocdoc	Verified patients only	24%
Vitals	Partially verified	15%
RateMDs	Open	11%
US News Health	Editorial / data-based	10%

Weights are reviewed quarterly and updated as platforms change their verification standards or review volume changes significantly.

Score Scale

What each score range means

85 – 100 · Outstanding

Consistently excellent across all platforms. Strong volume of verified reviews. A top-tier provider by any measure.

70 – 84 · Good

Solid reputation with minor inconsistencies across platforms. A reliable choice for most patients.

50 – 69 · Mixed

Meaningful variation between platforms or a notable volume of negative reviews. Worth reading individual platform reviews before deciding.

0 – 49 · Poor

Widespread negative feedback across multiple platforms. We recommend reviewing individual sources carefully.

Limitations & Fairness

What our score doesn't capture

We're transparent about the limits of any aggregated score. Patient reviews reflect the full care experience — scheduling, bedside manner, wait times — not just clinical outcomes or medical expertise. A lower score doesn't necessarily mean a less skilled clinician.

Factors our score does not account for include: clinical outcome data, malpractice history, board certifications, hospital quality rankings, or insurance acceptance. We recommend using Tally as a starting point, not a final verdict.

Tally is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult directly with a healthcare provider about your individual needs.

We do not accept payment from providers to influence scores. Sponsored listings, if introduced in the future, will always be clearly labeled and will never affect a provider's Tally calculation.