Zocdoc Opens Appointment Booking to AI Agents

Zocdoc now lets AI agents search its provider directory and book appointments for patients, the online scheduling company said Wednesday. Agents must register with Zocdoc and get patient consent before booking or canceling. Google Gemini, Amazon Health AI and the text- and call-based agent Instinct are already connected; other agents can apply, with or without a person’s help. CEO Oliver Kharraz called the approach “a bit of a contrarian move” as health tech companies remain divided over AI agents.

Zocdoc says traffic from AI agents has grown nearly 30-fold since July, which the company cites as evidence of consumer appetite. After approval, an agent can connect to Zocdoc’s AI backend to search providers, check clinician availability, verify insurance and arrange an appointment, checking with the patient before a final decision. Agent operators can monetize the integration. Zocdoc requires agents to obtain consent and protect patient and provider data; they may not train on, resell or republish that data. The company did not specify how it will enforce those terms.

Kharraz said Zocdoc’s existing infrastructure was ready for agents: its provider network is verified through electronic health record and scheduling system integrations. Connecting through that infrastructure, rather than scraping the open web, lets agents use the directory. In September, Zocdoc launched Care Access Network, which embeds its scheduling technology in third-party apps, insurer websites and AI tools. Earlier this month, it acquired Sohar Health, its first acquisition in nearly 20 years; the startup automates insurance benefit eligibility checks. Last year, CMS launched a health tech ecosystem initiative to expand digital health tools and interoperability. Zocdoc participates and pledged personalized AI-powered patient support.

Zocdoc now lets AI agents search its provider directory and book appointments for patients, the online scheduling company said Wednesday. Agents must register with Zocdoc and get patient consent before booking or canceling. Google Gemini, Amazon Health AI and the text- and call-based agent Instinct are already connected; other agents can apply, with or without a person’s help. CEO Oliver Kharraz called the approach “a bit of a contrarian move” as health tech companies remain divided over AI agents.

Zocdoc says traffic from AI agents has grown nearly 30-fold since July, which the company cites as evidence of consumer appetite. After approval, an agent can connect to Zocdoc’s AI backend to search providers, check clinician availability, verify insurance and arrange an appointment, checking with the patient before a final decision. Agent operators can monetize the integration. Zocdoc requires agents to obtain consent and protect patient and provider data; they may not train on, resell or republish that data. The company did not specify how it will enforce those terms.

Kharraz said Zocdoc’s existing infrastructure was ready for agents: its provider network is verified through electronic health record and scheduling system integrations. Connecting through that infrastructure, rather than scraping the open web, lets agents use the directory. In September, Zocdoc launched Care Access Network, which embeds its scheduling technology in third-party apps, insurer websites and AI tools. Earlier this month, it acquired Sohar Health, its first acquisition in nearly 20 years; the startup automates insurance benefit eligibility checks. Last year, CMS launched a health tech ecosystem initiative to expand digital health tools and interoperability. Zocdoc participates and pledged personalized AI-powered patient support.