The True Cost of Optometry Scribe Services
Most practices don't realize human scribes cost $50,000+ annually when you include salary, benefits, training, and turnover. Use our calculator to see your actual savings with AI scribe technology.
Calculate Your Optometry Scribe Costs & ROI
Adjust the values below to match your practice
Your Practice Details:
| Scribe Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Hidden Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Scribe | $4,791.667 | $57,500 | Benefits, training, turnover, management |
| Virtual Scribe | $2,083.333 | $25,000 | Setup, training, connectivity issues |
| Doctora AI Scribe | $199 | $2,388 | None - all inclusive |
Your Savings with AI Scribe:
Revenue Opportunity:
Your Total Annual Impact:
Combined savings and additional revenue with Doctora AI Scribe
Start Saving TodayHidden Costs of Human Scribes Most Practices Miss
The advertised salary is just the beginning
Benefits & Payroll Taxes (25-35% of salary)
Health insurance, retirement contributions, payroll taxes, workers' comp, and unemployment insurance add $875-$1,225 monthly to a $3,500 salary.
Turnover Costs ($5,000-$10,000 per replacement)
With 35% annual turnover, you'll likely replace your scribe every 2-3 years. Each replacement requires recruiting, interviewing, training, and lost productivity.
Training Time (2-4 weeks of paid non-productivity)
New scribes need extensive training on optometry terminology, your EHR system, and practice workflows. That's $1,750-$3,500 in salary with zero productivity.
Absence Coverage (15-20 days annually)
Sick days, vacation, and personal time mean your scribe is absent 6-8% of the year. You either pay for coverage or revert to manual documentation during absences.
Annual Raises (3-5% minimum)
To retain scribes and keep pace with inflation, expect annual raises of $1,260-$2,100. Over 3 years, that $3,500 salary becomes $3,825-$4,050 monthly.
Optometry Scribe Costs by Practice Size
See how costs scale with your practice
| Practice Size | Human Scribes Annual Cost | AI Scribe Annual Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Practice (1 OD) | $54,000 | $2,388 | $51,612 |
| Small Practice (2 ODs) | $108,000 | $2,388 | $105,612 |
| Medium Practice (3-4 ODs) | $162,000 - $216,000 | $2,388 | $159,612 - $213,612 |
| Large Practice (5+ ODs) | $270,000+ | $2,388 | $267,612+ |
Note: Human scribe costs assume one scribe per provider. Doctora AI Scribe has one flat rate regardless of practice size, with unlimited providers.
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 $2,000/month
You're overpaying by at least $1,800 monthly for documentation that AI can do better.
You've experienced scribe turnover in the past 2 years
Why risk another disruption? AI scribes never 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 more than 5 minutes per patient
AI scribes complete documentation in 2-3 minutes with 95% accuracy.
You want to see more patients or finish earlier
Save 2-3 hours daily with AI documentation. Use that time however you choose.
Stop Overpaying for Optometry Scribe Services
Join hundreds of practices saving $36,000+ annually with Doctora AI Scribe. Better documentation, lower cost, zero hassle.