If you’ve been feeling a little bit anxious and frustrated at the prospect of seeing your doctor in person lately, we don’t blame you: Between the limited appointment availability and lingering concerns about exposure to COVID, seeing your doctor in person can feel nerve-wracking, even now that so many of us are vaccinated. But thanks to telehealth, you can now discuss medical issues with your doctor and get much of the care you need through a virtual platform. For your convenience, we put together a comprehensive list of the best telehealth companies in the United States and how to access them.
iCliniq
This company offers a wide variety of services including consultations cover general medicine, dermatology, psychiatry, oncology, gynecology and more. To chat with a doctor on iCliniq, all you have to do is post a #icliniq50hrs or #icliniq100hrs query, and you will be notified via email and SMS when your question is answered. The first written question is free. Afterward, you can decide to purchase a subscription plan. Monthly is $99 per month, half-yearly is $49 per month (this is the most popular option) and yearly is $29 per month. Doctors are available in over 80 different specialties. If you prefer to talk to a doctor over the phone, you also have the option to book a phone or video consultation.
Teladoc
Teladoc is rated highly by doctors and patients, and is one of the first telehealth companies in the United States. The site is easy to navigate, and setting up an account takes only a few minutes. You can speak to a doctor, therapist, or medical expert via phone or video. Teladoc offers services in the following categories:
General medicalPrimary360Mental healthWellness careSpecialists and expert advice
If you have insurance, General Medical visits can be as low as $0 per visit. If you don’t have insurance, general medical is $75 per visit. For dermatology or mental health, you’ll have to set up an account to see the cost.
Cleveland Clinic Express Care
Offering 24/7 care, Cleveland Clinic healthcare providers are ready to assist you with coughs, colds, minor pains and other non-emergency concerns. Using your phone, tablet, or computer, you will be able to see and speak with a provider live anytime. Here’s a list what they can help treat:
Allergies (seasonal)Asthma (for adults only)Back strains (for adults only)Bronchitis (for adults only)Conjunctivitis (pink eye)Common coldInfluenza (flu)Minor burnsPainful urination (for adults only)RashesSinus infectionsUpper respiratory illnessUTIs (for adults only)Yeast infections (for adults only)
Cleveland Clinic Express Care also offers specialty care in the following areas:
Allergy & immunologyDermatologyDiabetes educationNutrition servicesPediatric UTI careWomen’s health
Urgent care visits are $55 without insurance, but less if you have a qualified health plan.
MeMD
MeMD provides telehealth services for common medical concerns and telebehavioral health services for mental health issues. This company also offers services for businesses to give employees exclusive health benefits. They treat urgent care issues, men’s health issues, women’s health issues, provide talk therapy, teen therapy and psychiatry. MeMD is free to get started. If your MeMD account is through an employer or another member-based group as a benefit, the price of your visit will be based on the organization’s plan. The price for an individual urgent care visit, men’s health visit or women’s health visit is $67. A therapy session is $85 for a 50-minute session and $65 for a 25-minute session. A psychiatry session is $229 for 45 minutes, and $99 for a 15-minute follow-up.
LiveHealth Online
This telehealth company gives members the ability to select the doctors they video chat with. All you have to do is sign up, look up who is available in your area, and request a consultation. You’ll be connected within minutes. LiveHealth doctors are available 24/7. Their health specialists cover medical, allergy, psychology and psychiatry. It’s free to sign up, there are no monthly fees and it’s $59 or less per visit. You can download the app and use LiveHealth Online whether you’re at home or on the go.
MDLIVE
MDLIVE provides services for medical care, dermatology, therapy and psychiatry. Depending on your insurance the cost for medical care is $0-$82, dermatology is $0 to $95, therapy is $0 to $108 and psychiatry is $0 to $284. All doctors are board-certified and state-licensed, with an average of 15+ years of experience. Signing up is simple. Once you register, you choose a doctor to speak with right away or schedule an appointment. The app is free to download, and you’ll have access to medical care anytime from anywhere in the US.
Virtuwell
To get started with Virtuwell, you have to answer a few questions about your medical history. Then, you are diagnosed by board-certified nurse practitioners in a matter of minutes. After making the diagnosis, the nurse practitioner recommends the care you’ll need. Then, you submit your insurance information and within an hour you’ll receive an email and SMS to inform you that your treatment plan is ready. Virtuwell treats sinus issues, coughs, allergies, the flu, women’s health issues, eye and ear issues, kids’ health issues, skin rashes, sexual health issues, and chronic and preventative conditions. With or without insurance, the cost of a visit is no more than $59.
Doctor on Demand
The unique feature that Doctor on Demand offers is the option to add a doctor to your “favorites.” After the initial visit, you can choose that doctor again in the future. You’ll have 24/7 access to doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and other medical experts. Doctor on Demand healthcare covers urgent care, behavioral health, preventative health and chronic care. The cost per visit varies depending on your insurance. For medical, the price is $75 for a 15-minute consultation. For psychology, it’s $129 per a 25-minute consultation and $179 for a 50-minute consultation. For psychiatry, it’s $299 for the initial 45-minute consultation and $129 for a 15-minute follow up.
PlushCare
PlushCare offers virtual primary care and mental health treatment from doctors trained at the top 50 medical schools in the U.S. with an average of 15 years of experience. They address urgent medical issues, mental health, online therapy, everyday care and ongoing care. You can book an appointment through your smartphone and chat via phone or video. Prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy. PlushCare is in network with most U.S. insurers and co-pays are $99 per visit.
+WebDoctors
+WebDoctors is known for fast service. Once you explain the purpose of your visit and enter all of your basic medical information, you’re connected to a board-certified doctor. Common online treatments include cold, cough or sore throat, toothache, acne treatment, and seasonal allergies. The price starts at $39.95. Other treatments that are more expensive include STD treatment (starting at $59.95) and alcohol use disorder starting at $95. Next, read the complete list of pharmacies and retailers who will be offering the COVID vaccine.
