Online medical services have transformed the healthcare industry. With greater accessibility and lower costs for patients, telemedicine, also known as online healthcare, is revolutionizing the way we receive medical care.
In this guide, we’ve reviewed the best online healthcare services available today.
- Amwell – Best Overall
- Lemon Help – Best for Unattended Health
- Teladoc – Best for Mental Health Counseling
- Parsley Health – Best for Comprehensive Care
- Web Doctors – Best for Medication Refills
- Plushcare – Best for Online Prescriptions
- JustAnswer – Best for Medical Questions
- AskADoctor – Best for 24/7 Doctor Access
Amwell offers a convenient and valuable service for anyone who needs treatment for non-emergency medical conditions, any time of day or night.
Why did we choose A? mwellAmwell offers access to a wide network of board-certified doctors at an affordable price. Amvel doctors can prescribe medications and have the prescription sent directly to your pharmacy for same-day pickup.
Our Experience: An online account is a convenient way to keep track of all your medical appointments, medications, and doctor’s notes in one organized place.
Best Online Doctor Services
- Side.
- 24/7 appointments
- Prescription refills available
- Extensive network of specialist doctors
Cons: - Not all prescriptions are available online
Internal access only
Ideal for discreet healthcare
Price: $49 per visit
Communication methods: Website, iOS or Android app
Lemonaid makes healthcare accessible and affordable for patients across the country.
Why we chose Lemonaid: Lemonaid offers a wide range of treatments, home medication delivery, and a top-notch medical team. If discreetness is a concern, Lemonaid could be the right choice.
Our Experience: The Lemonaid website and app are easy to navigate, and the online questionnaire can be completed at any time of day.
Pros:
- Unobtrusive delivery of medications to your home.
- Licensed doctors in all states.
- Affordable prices.
Cons:
- Not covered by insurance.
- Some treatments require video or phone consultations.
Ideal for mental health counseling.
Price: $75-$95 per visit.
Communication methods: phone, app, video.
Teladoc has a network of hundreds of trained professionals ready to provide valuable medical advice for a variety of issues.
Pros
- Excellent mobile app
- 24/7 daily support available
- Personalized dermatology treatments
Cons - 24/7 mental health support not available
- Only available in the US and Canada
Ideal for patients seeking holistic treatment
Price: $175 per month
Communication methods: In-person, video, messaging
Parsley Health is a personalized healthcare services company founded in 2016.
A Parsley Health membership includes 5 doctor and 5 health coach visits per year, which can be in-person or via video call.
Why we chose Parsley Health: Parsley Health focuses on the root causes of your condition and uses lifestyle changes alongside medication to improve your health. This provider offers an approach that may be preferable if you don’t want to rely solely on medication.
Our experience: We were impressed with the personalized approach that Parsley Health offers to each patient. A doctor will help you create a personalized health plan, and a health counselor will help you achieve your goals.
Pros
- 10 visits per year to a doctor and health counselor
- Partial coverage with most health insurance plans
- A comprehensive approach to treatment
Cons - Diagnostic tests have an additional fee
- Response time up to 3 days
Best for: Fast remote medical care
Price: Starting at $49 (varies depending on condition)
Communication methods: Phone, video
WebDoctors is a telemedicine service that allows you to receive scheduled medical care or emergency care anytime, any day. They treat all types of conditions, including conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, and upper respiratory infections, to name a few.
Why we chose WebDoctors: All WebDoctors doctors are board-certified, trained, and licensed in the United States.
Pros
- Available 24/7 by phone and video
- Prescriptions and refills available
- No subscription required
Cons - Video consultations are more expensive
- Not available in 6 states
Ideal for quick appointments
Price: $14.99 monthly membership + $129 co-pay/flat fee
Communication methods: phone, video
PlushCare puts medical services at your fingertips through an online platform and free mobile app. You can book an appointment online and consult with a doctor in 15 minutes right from your smartphone.
Why we chose PlushCare: PlushCare is available to patients with or without insurance. You only have to pay a standard co-pay, making it one of the most affordable options in the industry.
Pros
- Works with most insurance companies.
- Offers prescriptions and refills.
- Family plan available
Cons - High consultation fee for uninsured individuals
- Not available outside the country
Ideal for those who need advice on medical issues
Price: $16-90
Communication methods: email, SMS, phone
JustAnswer offers professional medical advice on a wide range of conditions, from asthma to sexually transmitted infections and the common cold. You can ask your medical question online for a quick answer or contact a specialist by phone to address your concerns.
Why we choose JustAnswer: If you’re looking for fast and reliable answers to your medical questions, JustAnswer gives you easy access to a variety of specialized medical professionals.
Pros
- Fast responses
- Access to thousands of specialists
- A fraction of the cost of traditional healthcare
Cons - Video consultations only available as a premium service
- No prescription required
Ideal for 24/7 access to a doctor
Price: $46 per month
Communication methods: Live chat
Why we chose AskADoctor: With AskADoctor, you get unlimited access to a team of doctors specializing in mental health, cardiology, orthopedics, and more. Plus, you have access to over 12,000 specialists on JustAnswers.com.
Our experience: AskADoctor stands out from other telemedicine services by eliminating the need to make an appointment to get the care you need.
Advantages
- 24-hour access to qualified doctors
- Affordable monthly memberships
- Specialists in various medical fields
Disadvantages - Doctors cannot prescribe online
- You can’t always see the same doctor
Online doctor
Online doctor services involve technologies through web platforms that allow patients to talk to a doctor online, get a diagnosis, and receive treatment for various medical conditions (more information below). There are several ways to access medical services through an online doctor, such as text messages, phone consultations, video calls, and online surveys.
Many services allow you to send a message directly to the doctor through the online platform, stating your symptoms, your current medical condition, or medical questions. This is the most effective method of communication if you are looking for answers to a specific question or need to renew a prescription.
If you need to communicate with a doctor in real time, most services also offer phone or video call services. Here’s how it works:
Schedule an online medical consultation
- Schedule an upcoming appointment or request an immediate appointment.
- If you’re scheduling an upcoming appointment, most telemedicine services will let you choose the doctor you want to see. This is a great feature because it allows you to choose a doctor you already know and feel more comfortable with.
- The doctor will diagnose your medical condition and recommend a treatment plan suited for your condition.
- If you require any medication, the doctor will send the prescription directly to the pharmacy closest to you for pick-up. Most telemedicine services will provide same-day pick-up for medications
What Areas of Expertise Do Telehealth Services Offer?
Online health services address a wide range of non-emergency medical conditions. The list includes everything from minor illnesses, such as the common cold, flu, or eye infections, to more complex or chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and sexually transmitted infections.
Below is a brief selection of some of the medical conditions and services available through online health.
- Antibiotics for infections
- Birth control pills
- PrEP for HIV prevention
- Cold symptoms
- Flu symptoms
- Body injuries
- Acne
- Migraines
- STD testing
High-risk conditions or situations, such as concussions, internal or external bleeding, severe burns, heart attacks, serious psychiatric episodes, or suicidal/homicidal thoughts, should be addressed immediately in the emergency department by going to the emergency department or calling 911 for immediate emergency care.
How Much Do Telehealth Services Cost?
Generally, there are two types of pricing models for online medical appointments and services: monthly plans/memberships or pay-per-visit.
Subscription plans and memberships
Some telemedicine services offer monthly or annual subscription plans. Online medical service memberships typically provide unlimited access to all medical services for a flat fee.
Online medical membership plans can range from $19 to $100 per month.
One-off fees
Many online medical services allow you to pay for a single visit instead of a monthly fee.
What Are the Advantages of Choosing an Online Doctor?
Online medical services have gained popularity even after the peak of the pandemic.
Convenience
You can schedule an appointment whenever you need it, see a doctor, and receive treatment—all from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere else.
Time
You don’t have to wait in a doctor’s office or waiting room, or wait for an appointment or results to arrive. Everything is done on your schedule, and your electronic health record is automatically updated after each visit.
Availability
Most telemedicine services operate through a network of doctors, so there is someone available 24/7 to help you.
Affordability
Finally, telemedicine services cost much less than you would pay for treatment in an emergency room or emergency department.
Telehealth Services: The Wave of the Future
Telemedicine services offer Americans an easier, faster, and more convenient way to get the medical care they need. With affordable pricing plans, 24/7 access, and a wide network of certified and compassionate medical professionals, telemedicine is a viable alternative to the traditional approach to medical services.