Physician Compare, a Web site that allows consumers to search and compare information about hundreds of thousands of physicians and other health care professionals, has been redesigned to make the site easier to use and provide new information for consumers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced the redesign, which includes an improved search function and more frequently updated information.

“Nearly a million physicians and other health care professionals serve the Medicare population,” said Tavenner. “This vastly improved Web site will provide new information in an improved, easy-to-use format.”

Physician Compare was improved based on user and partner feedback, as part of improvements in the Affordable Care Act.

The redesign includes new information on physicians, such as:

• Information about specialties offered by doctors and group practices;
• Whether a physician is using electronic health records;
• Board certification; and
• Affiliation with hospitals and other health care professionals.

Physician Compare is also now connected to the most consistently updated database so that consumers will find the most accurate and up-to-date information available.

In 2014 quality data will be added, and this will help users choose a medical professional based on performance ratings.

Visit the Physician Compare Web site at http://www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare or go to www.medicare.gov and click on “Find doctors & other health professionals.”