If you need to see a doctor but want to spend less, skip the waiting room, or avoid missing work, here is how telehealth apps and websites can help.
For someone who works hourly, getting to a doctor during business hours can mean losing pay, arranging childcare, and spending money on a bus or a ride — on top of the cost of the visit itself. Telehealth removes most of that. A licensed physician sees you by video or phone from wherever you are, often the same day, for a fraction of what an urgent care clinic charges. You do not miss a shift. You do not need transportation. For many conditions, you get a diagnosis and a prescription sent to your pharmacy before you would have even reached a waiting room.
This guide covers the apps and websites where you can access telehealth. Some are general medical services. Some specialize in reproductive and sexual health. Some work through your existing insurance. Others charge a flat cash price with no insurance needed. If the per-visit cost is still too much, federally funded community health centers offer virtual visits free or on a sliding scale based on income — see the low-cost or free telehealth page. For in-person free care, find a sliding fee clinic near you.
- NOTE: Any information on this site related to telehealth or other medical care is provided for general informational purposes only. It is intended to help individuals locate assistance programs and resources. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult your licensed health care provider regarding diagnosis, treatment, or medication decisions.
Check your insurance first — telehealth may already be covered
Before paying out of pocket for a telehealth visit, check whether your health insurance plan includes it. Most commercial insurers — including Aetna, UnitedHealth, Cigna, Blue Cross, and Humana — have their own telehealth portals or partnerships with services like Teladoc or MDLive. For enrolled members, a covered telehealth visit costs the same as any other in-network visit, usually a standard copay. If you have insurance and have not checked whether telehealth is included, call the member services number on your insurance card or log into your insurer's website.
If you have Medicaid, telehealth is covered in every state, typically at no cost or a minimal copay of a few dollars. Many people on Medicaid do not realize their plan includes virtual doctor visits. Contact your state Medicaid office (website by state is at https://www.medicaid.gov/state-overviews/state-profiles) or your managed care plan to ask how to access telehealth under your coverage.
General telehealth apps and websites
Sesame Care is a marketplace where doctors list their own cash prices, which run lower than standard rates because patients pay directly without going through insurance billing. No insurance is accepted or required. Urgent care visits start around $34. Mental health appointments start around $39. Prescriptions can be sent to a local pharmacy or delivered to your home starting at $5. Same-day appointments are common and the service is available in all 50 states. Visit https://sesamecare.com/.
MDLive offers urgent care, mental health, and dermatology visits by video or phone around the clock. It accepts most major insurance plans — check your coverage first. Without insurance, urgent care runs about $89, therapy about $108, and dermatology $95. Providers can see adults and children and send prescriptions electronically. Visit https://www.mdlive.com/.
Teladoc covers general medicine, urgent care, mental health, and pediatrics, with providers in every state available 24 hours a day. It is included in many employer health plans, so check whether your coverage already includes access before paying separately. Without insurance, general care visits start around $89. Visit https://www.teladochealth.com/.
Amwell connects patients with physicians, therapists, and psychiatrists by video. It accepts insurance from UnitedHealth, Cigna, and several regional plans. Without insurance, urgent care visits run $69 to $79 and therapy sessions $85 to $109. Visit https://amwell.com./landing.htm.
Amazon One Medical — reduced cost for low-income patients
Amazon One Medical offers 24-hour telehealth access. For patients who receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or other qualifying government assistance, Amazon's Prime Access program provides a full Prime membership — which includes One Medical telehealth — for $6.99 a month instead of the standard $14.99. Verification requires uploading proof of your benefit, such as an EBT card or eligibility letter. See our guide to discounted Amazon Prime for low-income families.
Without any membership, One Medical also offers individual visits at $29 for a messaging visit and $49 for a video visit for common conditions. Apply for Prime Access at amazon.com/primeaccess. Access One Medical telehealth at https://health.amazon.com/onemedical/
Planned Parenthood telehealth — reproductive and sexual health
Planned Parenthood offers telehealth in most states for birth control, UTI treatment, STD testing and treatment, emergency contraception, HIV prevention (PrEP and PEP), and gender-affirming hormone therapy. Services and availability vary by state and regional affiliate. Most insurance plans are accepted, and for patients without insurance, fees are set on a sliding scale based on income — some patients pay nothing. To find out what is available in your state and how to book an appointment, go to https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ or call 1-800-230-7526.
- Note: As of July 2025, a federal law was passed that affects Medicaid billing at Planned Parenthood locations. If you have Medicaid, call before your appointment to ask about your coverage options. Planned Parenthood has stated it is working with patients to find alternatives.
At-home testing kits
For some conditions, a mail-order test kit is a practical alternative to a visit. You collect the sample at home, mail it to a lab, and receive results online within a few days. Available tests include STD and HIV panels, thyroid, cholesterol, liver and kidney function, colorectal cancer screening, allergy panels, vitamin deficiency, and UTI tests. Everlywell (everlywell.com) and MyLab Box (mylabbox.com) both offer broad test menus. Costs range from about $50 to $300. Results outside the normal range should be reviewed with a medical provider.
Mental health by telehealth
For therapy, Talkspace (website: https://www.talkspace.com/) offers messaging-based and video therapy starting around $69 a week. BetterHelp (website: https://www.betterhelp.com/ ) has a financial assistance program for patients who cannot afford the standard rate — apply directly on their website. MDLive and Sesame also offer per-visit mental health appointments if a weekly subscription does not work for your situation. See a broader list of free and low-cost mental health resources.
Prescription costs after your visit
If you are paying out of pocket for medication after a telehealth visit, GoodRx (website: https://www.goodrx.com/) and NeedyMeds (website: https://needymeds.org/) offer free discount coupons accepted at most pharmacies. For more on free and reduced-cost prescription programs, see online tools or apps to help find low-cost or free medications.
Scam warning
Legitimate telehealth services show you the full cost of the visit before you pay and do not charge enrollment or sign-up fees. If a service asks for payment before disclosing what a visit costs, or contacts you unsolicited, do not share your payment or personal information.
Disclaimer: Telehealth services are operated by private companies and organizations. Pricing, availability, insurance acceptance, and covered conditions can change without notice. Verify current details directly with each service before booking. This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?