Best Telemedicine Companies: Telemedicine Benefits and More

It is possible to access a wide range of care options through telemedicine services, including primary care consultations, psychotherapy, physical therapy, and even some emergency services. Learn more about the best companies to consider, vetted by our expert team.

Below are the best telemedicine companies of 2024.

The following table compares the telemedicine providers in this article on price, specialty, and more.

Telemedicine offers healthcare using digital devices such as computers and smartphones. In most cases, telemedicine uses video conferencing. However, some providers offer care using email or phone messaging.

You can use telemedicine with your usual healthcare provider. You can also access virtual care using a dedicated telemedicine app.

You can use telemedicine to:

• assess whether or not you need treatment in person
• provide certain kinds of medical care, such as mental health treatment and assessments for minor infections
• write or renew prescriptions
• offer certain types of therapy, such as speech and physical therapy

Telemedicine vs. telehealth

Telemedicine and telehealth are different terms for the same service. They typically both refer to online platforms that connect you with qualified healthcare professionals.

Telemedicine is useful if you are unable to attend a healthcare facility in person. It is most successful when you seek care from a qualified physician and provide clear details about your symptoms.

Some other benefits of telemedicine include:

• Lower costs: Some research suggests that people who use telemedicine spend less time in the hospital, providing cost savings. Also, less commuting time may mean fewer secondary expenses, such as childcare and gas.
• Improved access to care: Telemedicine improves access to care for people with disabilities. It can also improve access for older adults, people who are geographically isolated, and those who are in prison.
• Preventive care: Telemedicine may make it easier for people to access preventive care, especially people with financial or geographic barriers to quality care. For instance, a 2021 review found that preventive telehealth services were effective for older people in high income countries but needed improvement in low and low-middle income countries.
• Convenience: Telemedicine allows people to access care in the comfort and privacy of their own home. So, a person may not have to take time off work or arrange childcare.
• Slowing the spread of infection: Going to the doctor’s office means being around people who may be sick, often in close quarters. Telemedicine minimizes the risk of picking up an infection at the doctor’s office.

Telemedicine may not suit every person or situation. There are some potential disadvantages when using telemedicine over traditional care methods. Some drawbacks of this type of care include:

• Insurance coverage: Not all insurers cover the whole cost of telemedicine.
• Protecting medical data: Telemedicine can present challenges in protecting medical data. Hackers and other criminals may be able to access a patient’s medical data, especially if the patient accesses telemedicine on a public network or via an unencrypted channel.
• Care delays: When you need emergency care, accessing telemedicine first may delay treatment, particularly since a doctor cannot provide lifesaving care or laboratory tests digitally.

You should consider the following when looking for a telemedicine provider:

• Specialties: Consider what you may mostly need a telemedicine provider for and ensure they offer this service. For example, if you wish to use the service for children, you should ensure the service offers pediatric care.
• Insurance: In order to get the best price, you should find out which providers accept your health insurance plans. Additionally, people should check if your employer offers discounts to any particular telemedicine provider.
• Prescriptions: If you know you need prescriptions, you should ensure your chosen provider offers this service. Some companies may offer to mail prescriptions directly to your home.
• Communication: If you would rather communicate via the phone than a video call, you should ensure that you choose a service that offers this. Additionally, some services may allow for text conversations or email communication.
• Doctor choice: If you want to choose which healthcare professional you connect with, you should choose a service that offers this feature.

Telemedicine is a convenient option for people who cannot go to the doctor’s office and those who prefer to stay home. However, it is important that you check the credentials of the doctor providing care and the privacy policies of the telehealth service you have chosen.

The best telemedicine companies according to our expert medical vetting team include Sesame Care, PlushCare, Maven, Virtuwell, and Doctor on Demand.