Online doctor services have revolutionized medical care, providing greater access and affordability for patients. These telehealth services improve the quality of care and expand healthcare availability. To help you choose the right online healthcare provider, we have reviewed the best options based on factors such as pricing, communication methods, and services offered.
Our Top Telemedicine Companies for 2023:
- Amwell: Best overall
- Lemonaid: Best for discreet medical care
- Teladoc: Best for mental health counseling
- Parsley Health: Best for holistic care
- Web Doctors: Best for medication refills
- Plushcare: Best for online prescriptions
- JustAnswer: Best for medical questions
- AskADoctor: Best for 24/7 access to a doctor
1. Amwell:
Amwell is a convenient and valuable online doctor service available 24/7 for non-emergency medical conditions. They provide video chat appointments with high-definition streaming, allowing direct communication with board-certified doctors. Amwell offers an extensive network of professionals who can prescribe medications and send prescriptions directly to your pharmacy. Their online account system helps you keep track of medical visits, medications, and doctors’ notes in one place.
Pros:
- 24/7 availability for doctor appointments
- Prescription refills offered
- Large network of professional doctors
Cons:
- Not all prescriptions available online
- Limited to domestic access only
2. LEMONAID:
Lemonaid offers accessible and affordable healthcare through online consultations. Their online questionnaire saves time and ensures privacy. They provide various treatment options and deliver medications discreetly to your door. Lemonaid has a reliable medical team, and their website and app are user-friendly.
Pros:
- Discreet medication delivery
- Doctors licensed in all states
- Affordable prices
Cons:
- Not covered by insurance
- Some treatments require video or phone consultation
3. Teladoc:
Teladoc is a platform that connects you with licensed doctors and therapists, specializing in mental health counseling and other medical guidance. They have a vast network of professionals available to address physical and psychological ailments. Teladoc offers affordable subscription options, particularly for mental healthcare. Their mobile app allows easy access to medical records, appointment scheduling, and direct communication with doctors.
Pros:
- Excellent mobile app
- 24/7 availability for everyday care
- Personalized dermatological treatments
Cons:
- Mental health services not available 24/7
- Limited to the US and Canada
4. Parsley Health:
Parsley Health is a personalized health services provider that takes a comprehensive approach to treating various medical issues. They offer diagnosis and treatment options, focusing on addressing the root causes of illnesses. A Parsley Health membership includes five doctor’s visits and five health coach visits per year, which can be conducted in-person or through video chat. They accept most insurance plans on an out-of-network basis and also accommodate FSAs and HSAs.
Pros:
- 10 doctor and health coach visits per year
- Partial insurance coverage
- Holistic treatment approach
Cons:
- Additional cost for diagnostic tests
- Response times may take up to three days
5. WebDoctors:
WebDoctors is a telehealth service that provides convenient access to routine medical treatments and urgent care. They offer comprehensive care for various conditions such as pink eye, urinary tract infections, and upper respiratory infections. WebDoctors’ physicians are board-certified, American-trained, and duly-licensed, and the service has received positive reviews from satisfied patients. They offer both phone and video consultations, allowing patients to choose the level of care they need without requiring a subscription.
Pros:
- 24/7 availability for phone and video consultations
- Prescriptions and refills are available
- No subscription required
Cons:
- Video consultations may incur additional cost
- Not available in six states
6. PlushCare:
PlushCare offers online doctor services through a user-friendly platform and mobile app. With PlushCare, you can conveniently book appointments online and consult with a doctor directly on your smartphone within 15 minutes. They also provide prescription services, with the option to have medications sent to a local pharmacy for pickup. PlushCare accommodates patients with or without insurance, offering affordable care through standard copayments. Their service includes unlimited text messaging for communication with medical professionals.
Pros:
- Works with most major insurers
- Offers prescriptions and refills
- Family plan available
Cons:
- Pricey visit fee for uninsured patients
- Not available outside the country
7. JustAnswer:
JustAnswer provides quick and reliable answers to medical questions from a range of specialized medical experts. Whether you have inquiries about asthma, sexually transmitted diseases, or the common cold, JustAnswer offers expert advice through online questions or phone consultations. They have a subscription plan that allows unlimited questions until you are satisfied with the answers. JustAnswer provides fast responses, access to thousands of professionals, and a cost-effective alternative to traditional medical care.
Pros:
- Fast responses to medical questions
- Access to a wide range of professionals
- Lower cost compared to traditional care
Cons:
- Video chats available as a premium service only
- No medication prescriptions
8. AskADoctor:
AskADoctor provides 24/7 access to board-certified physicians through online live chat. They offer unlimited access to a team of doctors specializing in various medical disciplines, including mental health, cardiology, and orthopedics. AskADoctor eliminates the need for appointments, allowing immediate access to medical care. While they offer low-cost monthly membership, physicians cannot write prescriptions online, and patients cannot request the same doctor each time.
Pros:
- 24/7 access to board-certified physicians
- Low-cost monthly membership
- Specialists available across different medical disciplines
Cons:
- Physicians cannot provide online prescriptions
- Inability to request the same doctor for subsequent visits
How Online Doctors Work: Understanding Telehealth Services
Online doctor services utilize web-based platforms to enable patients to communicate with doctors online, receive diagnoses, and obtain treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. These services offer various methods of accessing medical care, including text messaging, phone consultations, video chat, and online requests.
For non-urgent medical needs, patients can send messages directly to doctors through the online platform, providing information about their symptoms, current medical condition, or medical questions. Doctors review these messages and respond accordingly, making it an efficient way to seek answers or request prescription refills.
Alternatively, if real-time interaction is necessary, most services offer phone or video chat options:
- Schedule or request an appointment: Patients can either request immediate appointments and be placed on a waiting list to see the next available doctor or schedule appointments for the near future. In the latter case, telehealth services often allow patients to choose their preferred doctor, providing familiarity and comfort.
- Consultation with the doctor: During the appointment, the doctor will discuss symptoms or medical conditions in detail, asking relevant questions about medical history, family history, lifestyle habits, diet, and more to tailor the treatment plan.
- Diagnosis and treatment: Based on the consultation, the doctor will diagnose the medical condition and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
- Prescription and medication: If necessary, the doctor can send a prescription directly to a nearby pharmacy for same-day pickup, ensuring convenient access to medications.
Additionally, telehealth platforms often provide a centralized location where patients can access their medical history and treatment records.
Areas of Expertise in Telehealth Services:
Online healthcare services cover a wide range of non-emergency medical conditions. They can address conditions like the common cold, flu, eye infections, as well as more complex or chronic issues such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and sexually transmitted diseases. Mental health services for conditions like depression, panic attacks, and anxiety are also available through online doctors.
Some examples of medical conditions and services offered by online doctor services include:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Birth control pills
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention
- Cold symptoms
- Flu symptoms
- Treatment for bodily injuries
- Acne treatment
- Migraine management
- STD testing
It’s important to note that online doctors should not be used for emergency medical care. Urgent conditions like concussions, bleeding, burns, heart attacks, major psychiatric episodes, or thoughts of self-harm or harm to others require immediate attention at an emergency room, urgent care facility, or by dialing 911.
Cost of Telehealth Services:
Telehealth services typically offer two pricing models: monthly plans/memberships or paying per visit.
- Subscription plans and memberships: Some services provide monthly or annual subscription plans. These plans are cost-effective for individuals who require frequent doctor visits, have chronic conditions needing regular attention, or frequently need medications. Monthly memberships usually range from $19 to $100, while annual plans can vary from $50 to $1,200, depending on the services and number of individuals covered.
- One-off fees: Many online medical services allow patients to pay per visit instead of subscribing to a monthly plan. This option suits individuals who visit doctors infrequently, have good overall health, or lack major medical conditions. Per-visit fees vary based on the type of appointment, with urgent care appointments generally costing less than mental health sessions. Prices can range from $55 to $299 per visit.
Additionally, some online doctor services may collaborate with health insurance or employee health plans, potentially covering the cost of visits, services, and even membership fees, making telehealth services even more affordable.
Advantages of Choosing Online Doctors:
Online medical services offer several advantages over traditional doctor’s visits:
- Convenience: Appointments can be booked and medical care received from the comfort of home, office, or any location with internet access.
- Time-saving: There’s no need to wait in a doctor’s office or waiting room. Everything is done based on the patient’s schedule, and medical records are automatically updated after each visit.
- Availability: Most telehealth services have a network of doctors available 24/7. Some platforms also offer unlimited messaging, allowing ongoing communication with doctors even after receiving a diagnosis.
- Affordability: Telehealth services are often more cost-effective than urgent care or emergency room visits. Many services have flat monthly subscriptions that provide unlimited access to medical professionals and services at an affordable rate.
Telehealth Services: The Future of Healthcare
Telehealth services provide a convenient, fast, and accessible way for individuals to receive medical treatment. With affordable pricing plans, 24/7 availability, and networks of compassionate, board-certified professionals, telehealth offers a viable alternative to traditional in-person medical services.
