JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- Teladoc
- Maven Clinic
- iCliniq
- FOLX Health
- MDlive
- Amwell
- SteadyMD
- Doctor on Demand
- PlushCare
- MeMD
- LiveHealth Online
- BetterHelp
- HealthTap
- Curai Health
- Free services
- What is telemedicine?
- Why telemedicine?
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- Telemedicine lets you connect with a doctor or nurse ASAP without having to leave your house.
- Virtual doctor's visits are often cheaper for people who don't have insurance, too.
- Platforms vary by their care focus, ability to write prescriptions, and insurance coverage.
- This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Zlatin Ivanov, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist at Psychiatrist NYC.
Virtual doctor's visits — or telemedicine — are one of the greatest everyday evolutions of the last decade. You can now get medical advice and potentially even a prescription without leaving your home, usually within 10 minutes, and sometimes cheaper than in-person, depending on your insurance.
And yet, certain groups of people still feel like telemedicine isn't right or isn't an option for them: A huge study of over 148,000 people, published in 2020 in JAMA Network Open, found that older folks, females, Black and Latinx people, those who don't speak English, and those with a lower income were all less likely to use a telemedicine service.
In reality, virtual platforms are easy to use, save you from having to take off work for a visit, are often much cheaper out-of-pocket, and most offer multi-lingual doctors. What's more, specialized platforms like FOLX Health, which supports treats Queer and Trans health, or Maven Clinic, a reproductive health platform, can connect you with niche experts to provide medical support specific to you and your life or body, which you might not otherwise have access to near where you live.
At the end of this guide, we go into more detail on what exactly telemedicine is and why you should consider using it. Below are 14 of the top telemedicine services, offering everything from quick and easy consultations to mental health outreach.
Updated on 5/7/2021 by Rachael Schultz: Added platform access, updated intro, confirmed all pricing
Teladoc
Specialty: Non-urgent general medical care, primary care, mental health, speciality medical care, nutrition
Cost: $0 to $75 per visit, depending on insurance
Access: Video chat, phone || iOS, Android, web access
Fast, reliable, and easily-accessible, Teladoc has led the way in telemedicine for years. The company offers access to its doctors via phone calls or video conferencing, either on the web or via its smartphone app.
The service offers assistance with general care, pediatrics, preventative medicine, mental health, and more. Teledoc's on-demand service provides a high level of convenience and versatility, allowing users to connect with a doctor whenever the need arises. Doctors generally connect with a patient within 20 minutes of an initial request.
Physicians are available 24/7 and service is offered in over 30 languages. According to the company, 92 percent of its clients have their medical issues addressed in a single call, eliminating the need for additional appointments and follow-ups for most users.
Visit Teladoc's website for more information.
Maven Clinic
Specialty: Women's health
Cost: $20 to $70 per visit, depending on type of provider
Access: Text for basic questions with dedicated care advocate; video appointments with providers; MD-approved educational resources and classes || iOS, Android, web access
The Maven Clinic specializes in women's health, particularly in every stage of parenting including preconception, fertility, pregnancy, and postnatal care. The service is accessible via a smartphone app.
With a roster of more than 1,700 doctors that are available via the app 24/7, Maven strives to offer a highly personalized experience for each of its members. This includes supplying tracking resources and weekly action plans, social support with other members, doctor-approved supplemental content, prenatal information, and even referrals to fertility clinics. The platform also analyzes data collected to create custom recommendations and health plans for each woman.
Maven works with both individuals and employers to offer family-focused care and support to anyone planning a pregnancy, expecting a child, or who have just become new parents.
The company also offers providers in 30 different languages, is available across the world (major plus for traveling moms), and features more than 20 different health and wellness specialties.
Visit Maven Clinic's site for more information.
iCliniq
Specialty: All
Cost: Text chat for $20 per "visit"; phone or video consultation $30 per visit
Access: Basic text chat; upgrade for phone or video calls || iOS, Android, Slack, Telegram, web access
With more than 3,500 doctors specializing in over 80 areas of medicine, iCliniq has become a popular resource for those looking for quick and reliable medical advice at any time of the day (or night).
You can talk with a medical professional via online chat, which can be accessed through a smartphone app . They also have a phone and video conferencing option for an additional fee.
Great for second opinions, general medical advice, or preliminary diagnosis, iCliniq prides itself on its quick, accurate, and diverse services. To date, it's assisted patients in 196 countries, which makes it a good choice for frequent travelers too.
Visit iCliniq's site for more information.
FOLX Health
Specialty: Queer and trans health
Cost: $59/mo plus prescriptions
Access: Text, video, home delivery prescriptions || Web access
Newly-launched FOLX Health is the first digital provider made specifically for the medical needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in need of prescriptions, currently just hormone replacement therapy and/or erectile dysfunction medication. Its aim is to take the judgment, tension, and hoop-jumping out of the ongoing medical care you need when going through HRT, as well as provide easy access to anyone who wants an opinion about starting the treatment.
The main sell of the platform is their complete, at-home kits and prescriptions, delivered straight to your door. A monthly membership comes with a regular supply of medication, as well as one-on-one telehealth visits with licensed clinicians who can help with any medical need including sexual health and wellness needs. Currently, the service offers treatment and prescriptions for either testosterone or estrogen HRT, or erectile dysfunction. The app also features a content hub for free resources on Queer and Trans healthcare and helpful tips for things like self-injecting HRT. It's also planning to launch at-home STI, PrEP prescriptions, and other lab tests in the near future.
FOLX Health just launched in Feb. 2021, so it's only available in 12 states as of yet. It doesn't accept insurance (though you can pay with your FSA/HSA card in some cases), but does ship the medication straight to your door (in discreet packaging), which can help cost the cost of prescriptions in some cases.
MDlive
Specialty: Non-urgent medical care, dermatology, therapy, psychiatry
Cost: $0 to $82 per medical visit, depending on insurance
Access: Phone or video || Web access
Each doctor that works for MDlive is board-certified in their area of expertise, and the staff overall specializes in treating a wide-variety of medical conditions. Better yet, the physicians here have been practicing medicine for, on average, 15 years, making MDlive's staff one of the most experienced in the business.
These healthcare professionals are available 24 hours a day through a phone call or video chat. They can help diagnose skin conditions, UTIs, allergies, and a variety of other mild and acute conditions. MDlive is especially loved for its mental health professionals, who are available for counseling and support sessions on-demand.
Visit MDlive's site for more information.
Amwell
Specialty: Urgent care, general medical care, therapy, psychiatry, women's health, pediatrics
Cost: $79 per visit, less with most major insurance plans
Access: Text, phone, video || iOS, Android
Designed specifically to be a fast, reliable, and smarter way for patients to interact with doctors, Amwell is focused on convenience and service. Most of the virtual doctor's visits are less than 10 minutes and don't require an appointment. Amwell's focus is on providing an accurate diagnosis and recommending the proper treatment in an expedient manner.
Amwell physicians can even write prescriptions or suggest homeopathic treatments for conditions like sinus infections, rashes, or acne. Interactions take place over the phone, video chat, or using the service's app.
Visit Amwell's site for more information.
SteadyMD
Specialty: Primary care services
Cost: $99 per month
Access: Text, phone, video || Web access
If you like the idea behind telemedicine but value the connection and relationship you develop with your primary care doctor, check out SteadyMD. Their approach is to pair members with the same doctor each time they use the service so they have someone reliable who understands their needs not just on a medical basis, but a personal one, too.
Once that relationship is set, you can call, text, or video chat with your physician whenever you need. You can even share your health and fitness data from your favorite workout apps. At $99 per month, it's an expensive option but that price gets you more personal attention and guaranteed same-day phone or video chat appointments.
Visit SteadyMD's site for more information.
Doctor on Demand
Specialty: Urgent care, preventative health, chronic care, therapy, psychiatry
Cost: $75 per visit, or the cost of your co-pay with most major insurance plans
Access: Video || iOS, Android, web access
The name of this telemedicine service says it all, as it literally gives you a Doctor On Demand. Available over the web, phone, or smartphone app, the healthcare professionals at DoD provide assistance and advice for urgent care, chronic conditions, and preventative medicine.
The company keeps certified therapists on staff to assist patients with mental and behavioral health issues, while its doctors handle advice on how to treat everything from the cold and flu to asthma and diabetes.
One of the best aspects of this service is that patients can mark doctors as a favorite in order to connect with them again in the future when available.
Visit Doctor on Demand's site for more information.
PlushCare
Specialty: Urgent care, general medical care, primary care, therapy
Cost: $99 per visit, or your co-pay
PlushCare puts a large team of experienced physicians right at your fingertips thanks to its app. Using a smartphone, patients are able to make an appointment, speak directly with a doctor, and get a quick and simple diagnosis. The service also calls in prescriptions to a local pharmacy of choice and provides the ability for a follow-up after the initial consultation.
PlushCare treats urgent issues like the cold and flu or UTIs and STDs. It also provides support for on-going conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and depression. And the platform has a huge mental health care component via licensed therapists or primary care physicians. PlushCare even has options for prescription renewals, too, including birth control.
Visit Plush Care's site for more information.
MeMD
Specialty: Urgent care, men's health, women's health, therapy, teen mental health, psychiatry
Cost: $67+ per medical visit, $85 per therapy visit, $99-229 per psychiatry visit; all visits free with certain insurances
Access: Video or phone || iOS, Android, web access
MeMD is another telemedicine service that provides excellent mental health services and can usually connect users with a professional therapist or counselor in less than 24 hours. The site is also highly capable of treating non-urgent or acute conditions — such as rashes, headaches, and sore throats — with physicians available for both adults and children.
Creating an account is quick and easy and allows members to speak directly with a doctor or nurse practitioner within minutes. The MeMD app allows patients to access the service from just about anywhere, and have prescriptions filled at your local pharmacy.
Visit MeMD's site for more information.
LiveHealth Online
Specialty: Non-urgent medical, allergy, therapy, psychiatry
Cost: $59, or your co-pay
Access: Video || iOS, Android, web access
Whether you need help dealing with common issues like pink eye, fever, or tooth pain, or you're looking for more in-depth assistance with allergies or the flu, LiveHealth Online covers it all. The service allows members to connect with doctors 24/7 using their laptops or smartphones in order to get fast and reliable medical attention and prescriptions filled.
LiveHealth also connects users with psychologists and psychiatrists to get them the mental health support they need, too. One of the distinguishing features to this service is that it allows members to choose the specific doctor that they want to interact with.
Visit LiveHealth Online's site for more information.
BetterHelp
Specialty: Individual, couples, or teen counseling, therapy, and psychiatry
Cost: $60 to $80 per month
Access: Text, phone, video || iOS, Android, web access
Most platforms on our list are mainly for medical concerns, but the focus at BetterHelp is squarely on providing counseling and therapy via telemedicine technologies. More than 3,100 licensed therapists are trained to work with individuals, couples, and teens, all virtually.
Counseling is provided via a safe and secure chat environment that gives you quick access to a therapist, but also allows you to respond at your own convenience, which can be especially helpful for certain mental health conditions. BetterHelp also offers phone and video calls with the licensed therapists for a more direct, real-time experience (and an additional fee).
The monthly membership includes unlimited text or video sessions, making BetterHelp a nice option for those who can't find reliable mental health alternatives from other telemedicine services.
Visit BetterHelp's site for more information.
HealthTap
Specialty: Urgent care, general medical care, specialities
Cost: $80 per visit or co-pay, or $180 per year and $30 per visit
Access: Text, video || iOS, Android, web access
Much like the other telemedicine services on this list, HealthTap offers access to physicians on a 24/7 basis from a computer, phone, or mobile device.
What separates this service is that it's available worldwide and reportedly has a network of more than 72,000 doctors around the globe. Physicians are available to connect using video chat or they also answer basic questions through text messages.
One really cool feature: The HealthTap app has an AI-powered questionnaire that asks members about their current symptoms and can give advice on likely ailments and how to proceed, all without having to speak directly with a doctor.
You can use HealthTap for a one-off visit, or pay an annual fee which covers unlimited access to healthcare professionals. With its expansive network across the globe, this is a great option for frequent travelers.
Visit HealthTap's site for more information.
Curai Health
Specialty: Non-urgent medical issues, sexual health, dermatology
Cost: $8/mo
Curai Health is the bare bones of telemedicine: this app-based messaging service doesn't offer video chats, can't write prescriptions, or do anything fancy. Instead, you have the ability to ask doctors medical questions and get advice and information through a basic text exchange.
However, considering it's only $8 per month and you have 24/7 access to talk with a board-certified physician, it's a great deal for anyone who wants to just get a symptom checked out or find out what to do about a minor ailment.
Visit Curai Health's site for more information.
Free services
If you are in need of medical or mental help, the following hotlines are available to you free-of-charge, 24/7, and are fully confidential:
- Call 800-232-4636 for COVID-19 help via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Call 800-224-0336 for any medical question via Anthem's NurseLine
- Call 800-273-TALK (8255) for mental help via the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Call 800-67-BABY-6 for pregnancy or maternal help via the Crisis Pregnancy Hotline Number
- Call 1-800-398-GAYS for queer, trans or LGBTQIA+ help via the LGBTQIA+ Helpline
- Call 800-799-SAFE for domestic violence help via National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Call #4Help (cell) or 855.442.5767 to find another hotline that best matches your needs
What is telemedicine?
By its simplest definition, telemedicine is any service or method that uses technology to allow doctors and patients to interact with one another without needing to be physically in the same location. This allows people to connect with medical specialists who may live in entirely different parts of the world, as well as to obtain expert advice and diagnoses they typically wouldn't have access to. It also allows both the healthcare provider and the patient to connect without having to leave their respective homes or offices.
To be clear, telemedicine is not a new concept. In fact, it's existed in one form or another since the 1950s. Back then, the telephone enabled direct communication between a doctor and a patient. Then, dedicated video conferencing systems introduced a new level of interactivity.
But the biggest shift in telemedicine (and rise of what we know it as today) came via the rise of the internet. The ever-expanding network afforded by the internet helped bring telemedicine to the masses, making it easier than ever to connect to a medical professional via a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Why telemedicine?
Originally, the idea behind telemedicine was that it would be a convenient way for people living in remote locations to receive medical attention and assistance. Later, that level of convenience extended to pretty much anyone who found it difficult to visit their doctor during regular office hours.
Busy schedules, lack of transportation, mobility issues, and a host of other challenges disappeared by picking up the phone and chatting with a doctor directly. The process wasn't as all-encompassing as an actual in-person check-up or physical, but it was better than nothing.
Thanks to the proliferation of technology into every aspect of our lives, telemedicine has become a realistic option for so many people in the last decade. In 2020, with a worldwide pandemic encouraging or requiring people to stay at home as much as possible and minimize in-person doctor visits, telemedicine has become completely normalized.
At the same time, highly sophisticated systems now allow people to set up video chats with a health professional at just about any time of day or night.
But the field of telemedicine goes beyond just a simple doctor's visit: Your provider can remotely monitor your health data collected from any kind of wireless health device, from a FitBit to a pulse oximeter. He or she can write prescriptions and easily share your patient history and health records with another provider, making for easier healthcare collaboration.
Regardless of what illness or barrier you face, the value of using telemedicine is immense — and it's more vital now than ever. As more people start to prefer or need telemedicine, the number of companies offering their own unique take on the bridge between doctor and patient expands, too.
Kraig Becker Freelance Writer Kraig Becker is a freelance writer, journalist, and consultant who covers mountaineering expeditions, polar exploration, adventure travel, and other outdoor pursuits. He is the editor of The Adventure Blog, the founder of The Adventure Podcast, and has contributed to online and print outlets such as National Geographic, Popular Mechanics, Gear Junkie, Digital Trends, OutdoorX4 Magazine, TripSavvy, and others. He is the co-author of the book Reaching Beyond Boundaries and currently has three other books in development. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnmJqurcDHaJmeq6Riwaa4xKacnaGTnrumedKeqa%2Bhk5rA