Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
Seeking medical care in the United States without health insurance can be a complicated and extremely expensive journey.
But with the increasing popularity of telemedicine, care options are becoming more accessible and more affordable — especially for people who don’t have health insurance.
Using a computer or smartphone, you can call up a doctor as needed any time, day or night, and have issues addressed quickly and easily via a virtual consultation.
From wellness visits to urgent care, connecting with a doctor online can help you save money.
Here are the best telemedicine options if you don’t have insurance coverage and how much it costs to use each one. Telehealth visits may even be free when you have insurance.
How Much Is Telemedicine Without Insurance?
Just like in-person care, the cost varies as health care providers have their own pricing tiers and options. How much you pay depends on the type of care provider you see and the length of the visit.
The average cost for basic or urgent care is $68 per visit among the telehealth providers we picked. You can see a doctor with our top pick, GoodRx Care, for $49.
Some providers, such as GoodRx Care, also offer subscriptions to help you save on ongoing care.
Plus, studies show that virtual visits don’t just cost less.
Telemedicine services can dramatically reduce health care’s carbon footprint, cut transportation costs, lower fatalities and save time and money for patients and health care providers alike.
What You’ll Pay for Care at These 8 Providers
Here’s a look at costs and services for these companies.
- GoodRx Care: $19-$49; general care. Learn more.
- MDLive: $82-$284; urgent care, general, mental health, dermatology. Learn more.
- Teladoc: $75-$299; general care, mental health, dermatology. Learn more.
- Doctor on Demand: $89-$299; general, mental health, preventative, chronic care. Learn more.
- Amwell: $79; general, mental health, pediatrics, women’s health. Learn more.
- Sesame: $29-$62; general, mental, dental, skin care, sexual health. Learn more.
- PlushCare: $99-$129; general, urgent care, mental health, sexual health. Learn more.
- HealthTap: $44-$129; primary and urgent care, sexual health, pediatrics. Learn more.
GoodRx Care
Key Features:
- General medical care
- Flexible family plan
- Cheaper prices with membership
Cost:
- $49 per visit without membership
- $19 per visit with Gold membership
- $9.99 per month with Gold membership for individuals or $19.99 per month for families
What To Know About GoodRx Care
GoodRx can do more than help you save money on prescriptions. Since launching in 2019, GoodRx Care has offered affordable telehealth care.
From general questions to quick refills, GoodRx Care offers appointments for preventative care, sexual wellness, lab tests and aspects of chronic disease management.
With GoodRx Care, you can see a health care provider for only $49 per visit. No insurance required. You may save even more with a Gold Membership, which brings the cost down to only $19 per visit and offers access to over 1,000 prescriptions for less than $10.
Gold memberships cost $9.99 a month for an individual or $19.99 a month for a family. You can have up to five people on your family plan and you can include kids, grandparents, even pets.
MDLive
Key Features:
- Care within 15 minutes 24/7/365
- Treatment for 80-plus conditions
- Upfront pricing
Cost:
- $82 per visit for Urgent/General Care
- $108 per visit for Mental Health Therapy
- $284 per visit for Mental Health Psychiatry
- $95 per visit for Dermatology
What To Know About MDLive
Many insurance companies offer telehealth with their plans, and MDLive is one company that is frequently included. MDLive also serves those without insurance.
After a simple sign-up process, you can access providers working in urgent care, general care, mental health and dermatology right from home.
Pricing for MDLive varies depending on the type of care, but all costs are shown up front before you begin your sessions, so there are no surprises. You’ll pay anywhere from $82 to $284 for an initial visit.
One of the MDLive providers — who have an average of 10 years experience — can help with allergies, birth control, cold and flu symptoms, coughing, addiction, anxiety, depression, acne, alopecia, cysts and more.
Teladoc
Key Features:
- Providers available 24/7/365
- No time limit on appointments
- Access to specialists
Cost:
- $75 per visit for General Medical
- $99 per visit for Therapy
- $299 initial, $119 follow-up for Psychiatry
What To Know About Teladoc
When you need virtual care, one option to call on is Teladoc.
Patients can book appointments for general and urgent care, as well as see mental health professionals, primary care doctors and specialists.
For those without insurance, Teladoc also provides access to dermatologists, nutritionists, mental health and back and joint care providers.
To begin with Teladoc, all you need to do is set up your account and provide your information.
Based on what you share, Teladoc will let you know which services you can utilize — even if you don’t have health insurance — and send prescriptions to your local pharmacy if needed.
Doctor on Demand
Key Features:
- Diverse team of providers
- Treats 90% of common ER complaints
- 24/7 access to mental health care
Cost:
- $79 per 15-minute visit for Certified Clinician
- $134-$184 per visit for Psychologist
- $299 initial, $129 follow up for Psychiatrist
What To Know About Doctor on Demand
Back in the day, a doctor who was on demand provided housecalls with a black bag in tow. Now with Doctor on Demand, you can summon a medical professional to your home for a virtual visit.
From everyday care to skin conditions and mental health services, Doctor on Demand provides an array of medical experts available around the clock — including therapists and psychiatrists.
The 24/7 service means that whenever you need to speak to a medical provider, you are only a few clicks away from personalized care.
Providers can help with most ER complaints along with allergies, mental health, acne, UTIs, colds, flus, medication refills, rashes, sinus infections and IBS. Preventative health is also available, including diet and nutrition guidance and medication management.
Amwell
Key Features:
- Women’s health
- Breastfeeding support
- 24/7 access
Cost:
- $79 per visit for Urgent Care
What To Know About Amwell
Using the Amwell app, you can see care providers — including mental health professionals — 24/7 to easily address your concerns without needing to leave home. Patients can also use Amwell by calling in from a mobile device or landline.
Once you create an account with Amwell, you can provide any relevant medical information and instantly begin speaking with online doctors.
The mobile app provides access to video call sessions but you can also have a voice-only medical consultation over the phone.
Amwell’s services include urgent care visits, mental health services, nutritional counseling, pediatrics, women’s health and more.
Sesame
Key Features:
- Membership to save more
- More than 80 specialties
- Access to dental care
Cost:
- $54 per visit for General Medical
- $29 Prescription refills for Pharmacy
What To Know About Sesame
Sesame has a unique approach that combines a telemedicine appointment with options for in-person visits.
Skip the waiting room with same-day appointments online, affordable care options for common medical services available locally and heavily discounted prescription refills.
For instance, if you’re seeking urinary tract infection treatment, Sesame might follow up a telehealth visit with a referral for affordable lab work near your own home and a prescription for antibiotics.
Many are surprised to find that Sesame’s on-demand health care is cheaper to treat general health issues than their health plan co-pay, with virtual visits starting as low as $39 or $29 for Sesame Plus members.
Sesame providers can help with mental health, dental evaluations, skincare, sexual health, diabetes care and men’s health too.
PlushCare
Key Features:
- Same-day appointments
- Board-certified providers
- Discount for veterans
Cost:
- $129 for first visit for General Medical
- $99 for follow-up visits for General Medical
- $169 online therapy for Psychologist
What To Know About PlushCare
PlushCare might seem a little steep compared with other virtual care options, but they specialize in same-day appointments for both mental and sexual health.
PlushCare offers appointments for general and urgent care, therapy and weight loss too.
Whether you’re looking for birth control prescriptions, erectile dysfunction treatment or having a mental health crisis, the availability of PlushCare’s highly qualified and experienced doctors will be appreciated.
Just one catch: Only members get that level of service. You can use PlushCare without a membership but access is limited and you’ll have to call to make an appointment.
Membership costs $14.99 a month or $99 a year whether you have insurance or not.
HealthTap
Key Features:
- Appointments with same provider
- Anonymous Q&A
- 24/7 care team chat
Cost:
- $44 for members for General Medical
- $129 for non-members for General Medical
What To Know About HealthTap
Ever wish you had primary physicians on speed dial instead of waiting around a day or two for the doctor’s office to call you back?
HealthTap puts 90,000 licensed physicians at your fingertips for video chats or text messages. They can order labs and treat a wide array of general health issues — including managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes — in both primary and urgent care.
While accounts are technically free, membership benefits start at $57 for three months or an annual charge of $180, a value of $19 and $15 a month respectively.
This can really pay off with discounts on a telehealth appointment that cut costs 50% or more.
Free accounts still get access to an automated symptom checker and doctors respond within 24 hours to anonymous medical questions submitted by computer.
Other Ways To Get Mental Health Care Without Telemedicine
Prevention techniques and affordable, ongoing mental health care are vital. But if you’re in crisis, you shouldn’t wait for a telemedicine appointment.
Visit SAMHSA’s mental health hotline for online treatment options available immediately, or call 1-800-662-4357 for help.
You can also dial 988 for the national suicide and crisis lifeline, which provides free, confidential support 24/7.
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