Santa Monica Bay Physicians and DoctorsDirect.com Offer Online Appointments for Guaranteed Flu Shots

Santa Monica, Calif. (PRWeb) November 28, 2006 -- Los Angeles-area residents searching the Internet for a convenient way to get a flu shot are discovering a unique online appointment service that takes some of the "sting" out of getting a flu shot.

By typing in www.doctorsdirect.com and clicking on "Los Angeles," any member of the public with Internet access can schedule a guaranteed flu shot appointment with Santa Monica Bay Physicians' Playa/Marina Urgent Care Center in Marina del Rey. At DoctorsDirect.com, they can select a date and time that is convenient for them, pay for their flu shot in advance, and rest assured that all they have to do the day of the appointment is roll up a sleeve.

"Scheduling an immunization appointment online at DoctorsDirect.com eliminates the wasted time and aggravation of waiting in line to get a flu shot," said Dr. Bernard Katz, co-CEO of Santa Monica Bay Physicians Health Services, Inc., based in Santa Monica. "With DoctorsDirect.com, our patients, a loved one or a caregiver can make an appointment online anytime day or night. It's convenient, it's easy to use, and it's secure. By offering online appointments, we can provide this important service to even more members of our community."

During a two-week test of the new service, consumers who were seeking flu shots found the offer on the Internet and scheduled flu shot appointments with Santa Monica Bay Physicians. "The success of the test offering demonstrates that consumers really do want the flexibility to make medical appointments at their convenience, and not just during doctor's hours," said Tommy McGloin, CEO of DoctorsDirect.com. "With the Internet and DoctorsDirect.com, they now can do that."

Who:          People who wish to avoid or reduce the symptoms and complications of influenza can be immunized with an influenza vaccine, which is given by injection. Flu shots are recommended for:
•               Children age 24 months and older with certain health conditions.
•               Adults age 50 and older (particularly seniors or others who reside in long-term care facilities, those with long-term health conditions, those who receive regular medical care, and people who have been hospitalized in the past year).
•               Pregnant women.
•               Health care workers, family members, day care providers and others who come in regular contact with individuals or groups who are at risk for complications of the flu.

When:     Flu shot appointments are available from Santa Monica Bay Physicians and DoctorsDirect.com seven days a week (with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day) while supplies last. December and January are optimal times to get a flu shot. Appointment times vary by day of the week. For specific dates and times, go to the "Los Angeles" Featured Area on www.doctorsdirect.com and click on the button that reads: "Flu Shots."

Where:     Santa Monica Bay Physicians
                    Playa/Marina Urgent Care Clinic
                    4560 Admiralty Way, Suite 100
                    Marina del Rey, Calif. 90291
                    (310) 827-3700

Cost:          $28 physician appointment fee
                    $2 DoctorsDirect.com convenience fee
                    Major credit cards are accepted for payment.

Consumers are responsible for submitting fees paid to their physician for appointments arranged on DoctorsDirect.com to their insurer or managed care company. Consumers are encouraged to check with their insurer or managed care plan in advance to determine whether these fees are reimbursable under the terms of their health insurance or managed care plan.

About DoctorsDirect.com
DoctorsDirect.com (www.doctorsdirect.com) provides consumers and the physicians who provide their medical care with a convenient, fast and secure way to offer and book medical appointments online. DoctorsDirect.com is HIPAA compliant and provides the highest standards in privacy and security. Based in Santa Monica, Calif., the privately held company has secured Series A investment from Spark Capital and currently is testing the service with physicians and consumers in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Philadelphia.

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