Online medical services have transformed the healthcare industry. With greater access and lower cost for patients, telehealth, also known as online health services, is revolutionizing the way healthcare is received.
In this guide, we have reviewed the best online health services available today.
- Amwell – Best Overall
- Lemon help. The best for discreet health
- Teladoc. Best for mental health counseling.
- Parsley health. the best for comprehensive care
- Web doctors. best for medication refills
- Plushcare – Best Online Prescription
- JustAnswer – Best for Medical Questions
- AskADoctor – Best for 24/7 access to a doctor
Amwell provides a convenient and valuable service to anyone who needs treatment for non-emergency medical conditions at all hours of the day or night.
Why did we choose Amvel? Amwell offers access to a vast network of board-certified physicians at an affordable price. Amvel doctors can prescribe medications and send the script directly to your pharmacy for same-day pickup.
Our experience. An online account gives you a convenient way to keep track of all your medical appointments, medications, and doctor's notes in one organized place.
- Side.
- 24/7 doctor appointments
- Prescription refills are available
- A huge network of professional doctors
Against - Not all prescriptions are available online
Internal access only
Best for discreet healthcare
Price$49 per visit
Communication modesWebsite, 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 treatment options, door-to-door medication delivery, and a top-notch medical team. If you are concerned about discretion, Lemonaid may be the right choice.
Our experience: The Lemonaid website and app are easy for users to navigate and the online questionnaire can be submitted at any time of the day.
Pros
- Medications discreetly delivered to your door
- Doctors licensed in all states.
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Not covered by insurance
- Some treatments require video or telephone consultation.
Best for Mental Health Counseling
Price$75-$95 per visit
Communication modesPhone, app, video.
Teladoc is home to a network of hundreds of professionals trained and prepared to provide you with valuable medical guidance for a variety of issues.
Pros
- Excellent mobile application
- Daily care available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Personalized dermatological treatments
Cons - Mental health is not available 24/7
- Only available in the US and Canada
Best for patients seeking holistic treatment
Price$175 per month
Communication modesIn person, video, messaging.
Parsley Health is a personalized health services provider founded in 2016.
A Parsley Health membership includes 5 doctor visits and 5 health coach visits per year, which can be in person or via video chat.
Why we chose Parsley Health: Parsley Health focuses on the root causes of your disease and uses lifestyle changes along with medications to improve your health. This provider offers an approach that may be preferable if you do not want to rely solely on medications.
Our Experience: We were impressed with the personalized approach Parsley Health provides to each patient. A doctor helps you create a personalized health plan and a health coach helps you achieve your goals.
- 10 visits to the doctor and health advisor per year
- Partially covered by most insurance plans.
- Holistic approach to treatment.
Cons - Diagnostic tests have an additional cost.
- Response times of up to 3 days.
Best ForFast remote healthcare
PriceStarts at $49 (varies depending on condition)
Communication modesPhone, video
WebDoctors is a telehealth service that allows you to receive routine medical treatments or urgent care anytime, any day. They treat all types of conditions, including conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, and upper respiratory infections, just to name a few.
Why We Chose WebDoctors: All WebDoctors doctors are certified, US-trained, and licensed.
Pros
- Available 24/7 by phone and video
- Prescriptions and refills available
- No subscription needed
Cons - Video consultations cost more
- Not available in 6 states
Best for speed dating
Price$14.99/month membership + copay/flat rate of $129
Communication modesPhone, video
PlushCare puts medical services in the palm of your hand with an online platform and free mobile app. You can book an appointment online and see a doctor in 15 minutes right from your smartphone.
Why we chose PlushCare: Plushcare is available for patients with or without insurance. You only need to cover a standard copay, making it one of the most affordable options in the industry.
Pros
- Works with most major insurers.
- Can provide prescriptions and refills.
- Family plan available
Cons - Expensive visit fee for uninsured
- Not available outside the country
Best ForPeople who need advice on medical issues
Price$16-90
Modes of CommunicationEmail, text, phone
JustAnswer provides expert medical advice on a wide range of medical conditions, from asthma to sexually transmitted diseases to the common cold. You can ask your medical question online to receive a quick answer, or reach out to an expert by phone to address your concerns.
Why we chose JustAnswer: If you're seeking fast and reliable answers to your medical queries, JustAnswer offers you easy access to guidance from a range of specialized medical experts.
Pros
- Fast responses
- Access to thousands of professionals
- A fraction of the expense of traditional medical care
- Cons
- Video chats only available as premium service
- No medication prescriptions
Best For 24/7 access to a doctor
Price$46 per month
Modes of CommunicationLive 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 get access to over 12,000 experts on JustAnswers.com.
Our experience: AskADoctor stands out from other telehealth services by eliminating the need to make an appointment to receive the care you require.
Pros
- 24-hour access to board-certified physicians
- Low-cost monthly membership
- Specialists across a wide range of medical disciplines
Cons - Physicians cannot write prescriptions online
- Cannot request the same doctor each time
online doctor
Online doctor services embrace technology by using web-based platforms that let patients talk to a doctor online, get a diagnosis, and receive treatment for a wide variety of medical conditions (more on that below). There are a few ways to get medical services via an online doctor, including text messaging, phone consultations, video chat, and submitting online requests.
Many services will let you send a message directly to a doctor via the online platform listing your symptoms, current medical condition, or medical questions.This is the most efficient method of communication if you're seeking answers to a particular question or if you need to refill a medication prescription.
Alternatively, if you need to interact with the doctor in real-time, most services offer phone or video chat services as well. Here's how that works.
schedule of online doctor
- Schedule an appointment for the near future or send in a request for an immediate appointment
- If you schedule an appointment for the near future, most telehealth services will allow you to choose the doctor you want to see. This is a great feature as it will allow you to choose a doctor you may already be familiar with and are 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 healthcare services treat a wide array of non-emergency medical conditions. The list ranges from less serious conditions like the common cold, the flu, or an eye infection to more complicated or chronic medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, asthma, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Here's a short selection of some medical conditions and services that are available through online doctor services.
- Antibiotics for infections
- Birth control pills:
- PrEP for HIV prevention
- Cold Symptoms:
- Flu symptoms:
- Bodily injuries
- Acne:
- Migraines
- STD tests
Highly urgent conditions or situations—including concussions, internal or external bleeding, serious burns, heart attack, major psychiatric episodes, or suicidal/homicidal ideation—should be dealt with by heading directly to the emergency room, going to an urgent care unit, or dialing 911 for immediate emergency assistance.
How Much Do Telehealth Services Cost?
Broadly speaking, there are two types of pricing models for online doctor appointments and medical services: monthly plans/memberships or pay-per-visit.
Subscription plans and memberships
Some telehealth services offer monthly or annual subscription plans.Online medical services memberships often give you unlimited access to all medical services provided for a single 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 per visit instead of signing up for a monthly payment.
What Are the Advantages of Choosing an Online Doctor?
Online medical services have been gaining popularity even after the peak of the pandemic.
Convenience
You can schedule an appointment whenever you need, see the doctor and receive treatment, all from the comfort of your home, office or wherever you are.
Time
You don't have to sit and wait in a doctor's office or waiting room, wait for an appointment slot to open up, or wait for results. Everything is done on your schedule and your electronic medical card is automatically updated after each visit.
Availability
Most telehealth services work with a network of doctors, so someone is available 24/7 to help.
Affordability
Finally, telehealth services cost a fraction of what you'll pay for urgent care or emergency room treatments.
Telehealth Services: The Wave of the Future
Telehealth services give Americans an easier, faster, and more convenient way to get the medical treatment they need. And with affordable pricing plans, 24/7 availability, and large networks of compassionate, certified medical professionals, telehealth is a viable alternative to the traditional approach to medical services.