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.
Adjust the values below to match your practice
| 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 |
Combined savings and additional revenue with Doctora AI Scribe
Start Saving TodayThe advertised salary is just the beginning
Health insurance, retirement contributions, payroll taxes, workers' comp, and unemployment insurance add $875-$1,225 monthly to a $3,500 salary.
With 35% annual turnover, you'll likely replace your scribe every 2-3 years. Each replacement requires recruiting, interviewing, training, and lost 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.
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.
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.
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.
If any of these apply, it's time to make the switch:
You're overpaying by at least $1,800 monthly for documentation that AI can do better.
Why risk another disruption? AI scribes never quit, get sick, or need vacation.
Skip the hiring, training, and management headaches. Start with AI from day one.
AI scribes complete documentation in 2-3 minutes with 95% accuracy.
Save 2-3 hours daily with AI documentation. Use that time however you choose.
Join hundreds of practices saving $36,000+ annually with Doctora AI Scribe. Better documentation, lower cost, zero hassle.