...Carol is a Web site that gives consumers a "care marketplace" to search for medical services, compare quality and price and make appointments. With Carol you now can shop the Internet for an MRI, a strep throat test or even an annual physical exam. They make health care "more visible and transparent to someone who's looking for help."
Instead of going through a list of doctors or clinics, users tell the site what they're looking for by clicking on parts of the body and then select the requested procedures. Consumers can select from a list of options and click "compare" and see exactly what each procedure would entail. They can also read a description of the doctor or clinic's philosophy and link to ratings by MN Community Measurement, a nonprofit that measures health care performance in Minnesota.
Consumers who have insurance can type in plan information to have Carol.com estimate their out-of-pocket cost.
Miller said Carol is sensitive to consumer privacy, allowing people to search the site without registering, and it won't market to individual consumers even if they do register....