The 10 Best Online Doctors
Where Can You Find the Best, Most Affordable Online Doctors?
Online doctors, whose services are often referred to as telemedicine or telehealth, are a convenient and accessible way for patients to receive non-emergency medical care from the comfort of their own home. With the rise of technology and the internet, online doctors have become increasingly popular as a way for people to receive healthcare services without having to physically visit a doctor's office.
This is also a great option for people who live in remote areas, have mobility issues, or have difficulty taking time off work to visit a doctor's office. Telemedicine is often the most convenient option for people who are looking for a more private and comfortable setting to discuss sensitive health issues.
Wednesday, December 11th
2024 Online Doctor Reviews
Sesame
Sesame is our top pick for any type of telemedicine, whether you want to meet with a general practitioner online for acute care or with a specialist on multiple occasions. With or without membership, visits here are affordable and people love the care that they get from the doctors of their choice. Sesame should be the first platform you consider the next time you need the services of an online doctor.
Web Doctors
Don't let Web Doctors' website put you off: you'll find nothing here but professional care for your day-to-day sniffles and stomachaches. Get a call back within an hour or meet with a doctor via video, your choice, with visit fees starting at $59.95. For most acute care situations in patients two and older, Web Doctors will be an easy, affordable way to feel better quickly.
Lemonaid Health
Lemonaid Health is an excellent option if you want unlimited virtual care and you don't need to use traditional medical insurance (or don't have it). Over 95% of Lemonaid users recommend the service, praising the personalized attention from their assigned doctors and the ease of getting prescriptions to treat everything from depression to erectile dysfunction. While not ideal for people who want urgent care 24/7 or who have an insurance plan they want to use, Lemonaid is succeeding in its mission to deliver healthcare that's affordable and convenient - in all 50 states.
PlushCare
PlushCare is a good company when it comes to telemedicine. You can use your insurance here, or pay out of pocket if you aren't covered. They have over 100 doctors in their program, with an average of 15 years of experience. Many customers love the service, and iOs users rave about the PlushCare app. They do charge a small monthly fee ($14.99) to cover membership in their service. With a patient base that numbers over 550,000 and growing, PlushCare is a strong choice to consider for your telehealth needs.
HealthTap
HealthTap has an extensive network of over 90,000 online doctors covering more than 140 specialties. You can choose to pay as you go for urgent care, or join as a subscriber to access primary care for all ages. HealthTap lets you select your own doctor, giving you ample information about him or her before you sign up (even a video greeting). Although a small number of clients have had issues with billing, thousands of people give both HealthTap and its doctors a perfect five-star rating. We recommend considering HealthTap the next time you're looking for a telemedicine platform you can trust.
Teladoc
Lots of employers and healthcare plans include Teladoc as a benefit. If that applies to you, you could potentially pay nothing out of pocket to see an online doctor through this service. There are some drawbacks to Teladoc compared with its rivals, like not being able to choose your doctor or not knowing exactly how much your visit will cost until you create an account. But, hundreds of thousands of people have given this platform a five-star rating, so give it a look if it's part of your benefits already.
MDLIVE
MDLIVE is the telehealth platform offered to more than 60 million people as an insurance benefit, though it can be used by uninsured patients as well. Services here focus on urgent care (all ages) and primary care (18+, insured only), but you can also access mental health treatment and dermatology. Despite having an "A+” from the BBB and thousands of five-star ratings, most of MDLIVE's recent feedback is negative - particularly from patients who had big problems trying to apply insurance benefits. Look at your other options before creating an account here.
Doctor On Demand
Doctor On Demand can be used with or without health insurance to access general practitioners, psychiatrists, and other specialists. You can either make an appointment or get in a virtual line to wait for the next available doctor, 24/7. Unfortunately, there's cause for concern here, with patients dealing with sensitive conditions requiring medication reporting that they were left hanging. Doctor On Demand just doesn't keep up with the competition, and it's not our favorite way to connect with a doctor online.
LiveHealth Online
Acute care, allergy treatment, and mental health are the services offered by LiveHealth Online, starting at $59/visit with no membership fees. We could recommend this platform for connecting with doctors online... if it actually worked more consistently. Patients needing help with a medical condition don't want to wait for hours on end - for a visit that might not even wind up happening. We suggest that you choose a different telemedicine service for acute care and mental health.
Forward
Forward fills a unique space in telemedicine: pay a monthly membership fee (regularly $149), undergo extensive testing from body scans to genetic screening, and use the data to develop a comprehensive care plan for your overall wellness goals for at least six months. Your visits can be virtual strictly through the app, at one of Forward's physical locations, or a combination of both. Unfortunately, lots of clients have problems with the app, rendering their membership almost useless. And, with no urgent care or one-off visits, this service isn't what most people have in mind when looking for an online doctor.
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Online doctors can provide many of the same services as in-person doctors, including regular check-ups, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and prescribing medication. They can also provide mental health services, such as therapy and counseling, through telehealth platforms. However, it's important to note that some conditions may require in-person evaluation and treatment, and in such cases, it is best to consult with a doctor near you.
Just remember, if at any time you're having a medical emergency it's important to call 911. Telemedicine is not intended for crisis situations or life threatening conditions.
When looking for an online doctor, you should make sure they are licensed in your state and check their credentials. You can also look at reviews from other patients. Additionally, it's essential to check your insurance coverage, since some insurance plans cover telemedicine, while others may have additional out-of-pocket costs.
During an online doctor appointment, you will typically have a video or phone call with the doctor, during which you will discuss your symptoms and medical history. The doctor will then make a diagnosis and provide treatment recommendations. If needed, the doctor can also prescribe medication, which can be filled at your local pharmacy.
While online doctors can provide many benefits, there are also some limitations to keep in mind. For example, online doctors may not be able to perform physical examinations, such as taking blood pressure or listening to your heart, which can be extremely important for diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, some medical conditions may require specialized testing, such as imaging or lab work, which cannot be performed remotely.
So, now that you understand more of what telemedicine is and what online doctors can and can't do for you, how do you choose which service is right for your medical needs? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Acute vs. primary care. Some services are designed for those unpredictable times when you need a quick visit to treat a cold or ear infection, while others focus on providing the same kind of care you'd get from your primary care physician (like checkups and lab work). And some online doctor platforms offer both kinds.
- Insurance coverage. If you have health insurance, there may be an online doctor benefit already lined up. Check to see if your plan offers that benefit and if you need to use a specific platform for it.
- Cost/co-pay. What will you spend per visit with the online doctor you select? Is there a membership fee or can you pay a la carte as needed?
- Availability. Can you reach someone 24/7? Do you have the option to make an appointment in advance? Also, can you select the doctor you see or will one be assigned to you?
- Reputation and qualifications. What do other patients say about their experience with the platform? How much will you know about the physician you're matched with, with respect to experience and credentials?
To help you get the medical care you need from the convenience of your own home (or anywhere), Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked today's most popular online doctors. We're sure this information will make it quick and easy to find the right one to get you taken care of, from sniffles to sprains and everything in between. Get well soon!
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