Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. launched a new tool Monday that lets customers share their opinions about their doctors on the web. Officials say it is one more tool to support consumer decision-making.

A free online survey tool provided by Zagat Survey allows BCBSNC customers to review their doctor visits based on four specific criteria:

*trust
*communication
*availability
*office environment

Customers will be able to explain their ratings in a comments section. The insurer says the categories are designed to reflect the customer's experience with a physician, not to reflect the quality of care they received.

For each network physician, the online entry will display his/her contact information, ratings on a 30-point scale for each of the categories and the percentage of customers who recommend that physician. Members will have the option to rate the usefulness of comments and report suspicious comments.

"Customer experience information offered by the Zagat Health Survey tool complements the clinical quality, cost and other tools we provide to support consumers' health care decision-making," said BCBSNC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Don Bradley in a written statement.

BCBSNC members may access the survey tool and results at no charge by enrolling in "My Member Services."