In the fast-paced world of US primary care, physicians face a growing challenge: balancing patient care with time-consuming administrative tasks. Studies show that primary care physicians spend up to 16 minutes per patient encounter on documentation, contributing to burnout and reduced patient interaction time. Enter the AI medical scribe, a game-changing technology that automates clinical documentation, allowing doctors to focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional care.
This blog explores the top virtual medical scribe solutions for US primary care physicians, with a focus on how S10.AI and other leading platforms streamline workflows, enhance accuracy, and improve patient outcomes. Whether you're searching for the best AI medical scribe to integrate with your EHR or seeking ways to reduce administrative burdens, this guide provides actionable insights to help you choose the right solution.
An AI medical scribe is an advanced software solution that uses artificial intelligence, speech recognition, and natural language processing (NLP) to transcribe physician-patient conversations in real-time, generating structured clinical notes. Unlike traditional human scribes, AI scribes offer 24/7 availability, seamless EHR integration, and continuous improvement through machine learning.
Offline scribing is an approach where healthcare providers record their patient encounters, and the documentation is completed after the visit—rather than in real time. This means physicians can dictate or capture the clinical conversation during the appointment and later have AI-powered scribes, like those from
For many clinicians, offline scribing strikes an ideal balance—enabling high-quality documentation without the constant presence of an observer or the distraction of on-the-spot data entry.
When it comes to virtual medical scribe services, physicians typically encounter two main models: live (synchronous) scribing and offline (asynchronous) scribing. While both options streamline documentation and reduce administrative overhead, they operate in distinct ways—each with unique advantages.
Choosing the Right Fit Both live and offline scribing achieve the main goal: reducing the documentation burden so providers can devote more attention to their patients. The choice often comes down to workflow preference—live scribing for real-time interaction and instant results, offline scribing for flexibility and minimal in-visit disruption.
Medical scribes bring a unique blend of clinical knowledge and technical skills to the table. Most have completed formal training programs covering key areas such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, common disease processes, medications, and clinical procedures. They are well-versed in healthcare documentation standards and best practices, ensuring that every note is both accurate and compliant.
Additionally, scribes often possess practical experience in healthcare settings, with backgrounds spanning nursing, medical assisting, and medical transcription. Knowledge of billing codes (like ICD-10 and CPT), HIPAA regulations, and EHR system navigation is standard. Many training programs—such as those offered by the
This broad expertise allows medical scribes to seamlessly support clinicians, reducing documentation burdens while upholding the highest standards of patient confidentiality and data integrity.
Remote medical scribes bring a robust set of skills and specialized training to the table, ensuring high-quality clinical documentation for busy primary care practices. Most scribes undergo rigorous preparation in essential areas, including:
Many virtual scribes also hold backgrounds in medical transcription, using that experience to deliver detailed, physician-ready notes. To ensure quality and security, candidates typically undergo comprehensive screening processes, including background checks and competency evaluations, before working with healthcare providers.
Time Savings: Reduce documentation time by up to 2 hours daily.
Improved Accuracy: AI ensures precise notes with relevant ICD-10, CPT, and HCC codes.
Enhanced Patient Care: Spend more time engaging with patients, not typing.
Cost-Effectiveness: Eliminate the need for costly human scribes.
Onboarding a remote scribe in a healthcare environment is designed to be as seamless—and physician-friendly—as possible. The process typically kicks off with a clear conversation about your goals: What are you hoping to achieve with remote scribe support? Whether it’s reducing charting backlog, capturing higher coding accuracy, or freeing up more face-to-face time with patients, your objectives set the stage.
From there, most virtual scribe providers conduct a thorough workflow assessment. They’ll spend time understanding how you currently document within your EHR—capturing your charting habits, preferred templates, and any specialties or coding nuances specific to your practice (yes, even those ICD-10 quirks that keep you up at night).
Next, these preferences are clearly communicated to your assigned scribes—both your main assistant and a backup, just in case. Regular feedback loops ensure your documentation style is followed, updates are implemented quickly, and your scribe becomes a seamless extension of your care team. The end goal: a tailored, efficient scribe partnership that feels effortless for busy physicians.
Below, we rank the top AI medical scribe solutions based on accuracy, integration, customization, and user feedback, with a focus on primary care needs.
S10.AI revolutionizes clinical documentation with its Robot Medical Scribe AI, designed for primary care physicians. Its ambient AI listens to patient encounters, generates precise notes, and supports AI medical dictation for hands-free charting.
Real-Time Notes: Converts conversations into structured notes instantly.
Multi-Lingual Support: Handles 16+ languages, ideal for diverse patient populations.
Customizable Workflows: Tailors notes to physician preferences and specialties.
HIPAA Compliance: Ensures secure, encrypted data handling.
Non-EHR Integration: Easily copy and paste notes into any system, including Athenahealth and Epic.
Automated Coding: Generates accurate HCC, CPT, and ICD-10 codes for full reimbursement.
S10.AI’s Crush and Bravo assistants excel in noisy settings, support virtual and in-office visits, and provide pre-charting and post-visit summaries. Physicians like Dr. Smriti Choudhary praise S10.AI for allowing them to focus on patient care, saying, “It has revolutionized the way I document patient encounters.”
2. DeepScribe: Specialty-Specific Excellence
DeepScribe’s ambient AI platform is highly rated (98.8/100 by KLAS Research) for its specialty-specific workflows. Trained on 5 million+ patient conversations, it offers accurate notes with robust Epic integration.
Customization Studio: Offers 50+ personalization options.
Real-Time Insights: Prompts action during visits for better outcomes.
ICD-10 Coding: Maximizes reimbursement with precise coding.
Limited language support compared to S10.AI.
Higher learning curve for non-Epic users.
Freed is a favorite among solo practitioners for its ease of use and ability to mimic a physician’s writing style. It’s HIPAA-compliant and doesn’t store patient recordings.
Quick Setup: Start capturing visits with one click.
Custom Note Formats: Learns your style with every edit.
Affordable Pricing: Starts at $99/month.
Limited EHR integration compared to S10.AI.
Less suited for multi-specialty practices.
Trusted by 80,000+ physicians, Sunoh.ai saves up to 2 hours daily with its AI dictation services. It’s compatible with desktop and mobile platforms.
Voice Recognition: Advanced algorithms minimize transcription errors.
Multi-Specialty Support: Ideal for primary care and beyond.
Low Cost: $1.25 per visit.
Less customization than S10.AI.
Requires clear speech and minimal background noise.
Heidi Health is used in 50+ countries and excels at generating notes for busy group practices. It offers flexible templates and billing code support.
Template Library: Customizable for various patient types.
Global Compliance: Meets US, UK, and Australian privacy standards.
Time Savings: Saves 5–20 minutes per patient.
Less focus on primary care-specific workflows.
Remote scribe services aren't limited to just a handful of fields—they span the full spectrum of medical specialties, from cardiology and orthopedics to dermatology and internal medicine. Whether you’re a physician, PA, or nurse, you can generally access scribing support as long as encounter audio (live or recorded) is available.
There’s no need to worry about niche expertise or subspecialty limitations. Most leading scribe platforms, like
Selecting the right virtual medical scribe depends on your practice’s needs. Consider these factors:
Ensure the scribe integrates with your EHR (e.g., Athenahealth, Epic, or eClinicalWorks). S10.AI’s non-EHR solution allows flexibility, while DeepScribe excels with Epic integration.
Primary care physicians need tailored workflows. S10.AI and DeepScribe offer extensive customization, while Freed focuses on simplicity.
Compare pricing models (per visit, monthly, or per user). Sunoh.ai’s $1.25/visit is budget-friendly, but S10.AI’s ROI comes from time savings and accurate coding.
For growing practices, S10.AI and Heidi Health scale effortlessly across multiple providers and locations.
Choose HIPAA-compliant solutions like S10.AI, Freed, and Sunoh.ai to protect patient data.
Getting started with a virtual scribe service is typically smooth and efficient. Most providers, like
For practices needing faster deployment, full-time scribe arrangements and streamlined onboarding can speed up the timeline, particularly if your workflows are already well-defined.
Responsive and reliable customer support is essential in medical scribing. Leading virtual medical scribe providers offer access to dedicated support teams—typically available during standard business hours (for example, 8 AM to 5 PM
Yes, reputable solutions like S10.AI use HIPAA-compliant encryption and don’t store patient recordings, ensuring privacy.
Quality control is a top priority for reputable remote medical scribe platforms. Leading services like
Here’s how quality is typically maintained:
By layering technology with human oversight, these platforms strive to deliver documentation you can trust—reducing errors, supporting clinical decisions, and saving you time.
Physicians save 1–2 hours daily, allowing more patient interactions or personal time.
Advanced platforms like S10.AI and DeepScribe accurately document diverse cases, including chronic conditions and multi-symptom visits.
AI scribes complement human scribes, offering scalability and cost savings. Hybrid models, like ScribeAmerica’s, combine both for complex cases.
With remote scribe services, chart turnaround times are designed to keep up with the fast pace of clinical practice:
This responsiveness helps clinicians complete and sign off on notes without workflow bottlenecks.
Providers are typically paired with primary and backup remote scribes who have experience in their medical specialty. This means you're not stuck retraining someone new each week—your scribe knows your field and quickly learns your documentation style and charting preferences. Over time, this close partnership streamlines charting in the EHR, reducing hassle and keeping your workflow smooth.
If you ever need tweaks or updates to how notes are recorded, you can easily communicate requests directly to your scribe or through your platform’s support—ensuring the partnership stays tailored to your evolving needs.
At S10.AI, our mission is to empower physicians with cutting-edge AI to enhance patient care. Our Robot Medical Scribe AI is purpose-built for primary care, offering unmatched accuracy, customization, and ease of use. Here’s why physicians choose us:
Proven Results: Dr. Lisbeth Roy calls S10.AI “the best investment” for its seamless integration and time savings.
Innovative Technology: Our Crush and Bravo assistants adapt to any environment, from virtual visits to busy clinics.
For US primary care physicians, adopting an AI medical scribe is no longer optional—it’s essential for staying competitive and delivering high-quality care. Among the top solutions, S10.AI stands out as the best virtual medical scribe, offering unmatched customization, multi-lingual support, and seamless integration for busy practices. By reducing documentation time, improving coding accuracy, and enhancing patient interactions, S10.AI empowers physicians to reclaim their time and focus on what they do best.
Ready to revolutionize your practice? Try S10.AI’s AI Medical Scribe today and experience the future of clinical documentation.
What are the benefits of using virtual medical scribe solutions in primary care practices?
Virtual medical scribe solutions offer numerous benefits for primary care practices, including improved documentation accuracy, reduced administrative burden on physicians, and enhanced patient interaction. By handling real-time documentation, virtual scribes allow physicians to focus more on patient care, leading to increased patient satisfaction and potentially better clinical outcomes. Additionally, these solutions can help streamline workflow and reduce burnout among healthcare providers. Exploring virtual scribe options can be a strategic move for practices looking to optimize efficiency and patient care quality.
How do virtual medical scribes integrate with existing EHR systems in primary care?
Virtual medical scribes are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, ensuring that documentation is accurate and up-to-date. They typically work by accessing the EHR remotely and inputting data in real-time during patient visits. This integration allows for efficient data management and reduces the time physicians spend on documentation. Many virtual scribe services offer compatibility with popular EHR platforms, making it easier for primary care practices to adopt these solutions without significant disruptions. Considering virtual scribes can be a practical step towards enhancing practice efficiency.
Are virtual medical scribes cost-effective for small primary care practices?
Virtual medical scribes can be a cost-effective solution for small primary care practices by reducing the need for in-house administrative staff and minimizing physician time spent on documentation. While there is an upfront cost associated with hiring virtual scribes, the long-term savings in time and increased patient throughput can offset these expenses. Additionally, improved documentation accuracy can lead to better billing and fewer claim denials, further enhancing financial efficiency. Small practices exploring ways to optimize operations and reduce overhead may find virtual scribes to be a valuable investment.