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The best telemedicine companies include Sesame Care, PlushCare, Maven, and more. Our expert team medically reviewed over 10 telehealth services and chose the 5 best options based on their reputation with customers and the services they offer.
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.
Price | Specialty | |
---|---|---|
Sesame | • from $29 with a membership • from $39 for a one-time visit | • primary care • OB/GYN • dermatology • pediatrics • dentistry • urology • radiology • gastroenterology • cardiology |
Plushcare | $129 per visit | • general health • urgent care • mental health • online therapy • sexual health |
Virtuwell | around $79 per visit | • sinus, cough & allergy • women’s health • kid’s health • eye and ear • sexual health • flu • skin and rashes • chronic • preventive |
Doctor on Demand | free or from $89 per visit | • urgent care • mental health • preventive care • chronic care |
Maven | from $20 for a 10-minute visit | • fertility • pregnancy • adoption • parenting • pediatrics |
Medical News Today chooses telemedicine providers based on the following criteria:
- Care: Providers that offer a range of care, such as urgent, primary, and mental health.
- Cost: Providers that offer care suitable for a range of budgets.
- Insurance: Providers that accept insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.
- Prescriptions: Providers that offer prescriptions and allow people to pick up medication at a convenient pharmacy.
- Accessibility: Providers that offer accessibility options, such as apps and different language options.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
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.
Our expert’s take on the benefits of telemedicine
“Telemedicine bridges the gap for people seeking quality healthcare while optimizing convenience and efficiency.”
— Megan Soliman, MD
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.
Our expert’s take on the disadvantages of telemedicine
“While the capabilities of telemedicine have come a long way in the past few years, there are currently certain limitations depending on the acuity of care and the medical condition being managed.”
— Megan Soliman, MD
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.
Teladoc is the largest telemedicine provider based on revenue and employee numbers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), females use telemedicine services more than males. Adults ages 65 and over are also more likely to use telemedicine.
Doctor on Demand prices start at $89 for people without health insurance. It costs $89 for a 15-minute consultation with a board-certified clinician, between $134 and $184 to see a psychologist, and between $129 and $299 to see a psychiatrist.
Maven Clinic is a telehealth company specializing in pregnancy and postpartum family care. It also offers breastmilk shipping services to help new parents start back at work.
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.