{"source":"CiteHawk AI Index","record":"telehealth services — 2026-10","url":"https://www.citehawk.com/leaderboards/editions/2026-10/telehealth-services","immutable":true,"snapshotId":"94735804-3285-4b0a-b6c0-3c5441eb923e","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.411+00:00","contentHash":"0d712289b1e4e67d27317e1eb0f40629e65c689d5849062eb323e1f56c88aab7","contentHashSpec":"sha256-v1: hex SHA-256 of the UTF-8 bytes of the compact JSON array (no whitespace, non-ASCII characters unescaped, as JavaScript JSON.stringify emits) of [provider, run, model, text] tuples, one per captured answer, sorted by provider then run","registryRulesHash":"043102d8d3162d07dda4892d375b4134e63a3cd6117ae53e2da6de4cd595ce2e","registryRulesHashSpec":"sha256-v1: hex SHA-256 of the UTF-8 bytes of the compact JSON object {version, aliases, notInCategory, categoryAllow, serviceSlugRe} where aliases is the array of [foldedKey, canonicalName, pinnedDomain, categoryScope] tuples sorted by key, carrying a fifth regionScope element only on the entries that have one, notInCategory and categoryAllow are arrays of [categorySlug, domains] tuples sorted by slug, and every domain/scope list is itself sorted, carrying a trailing notInCategoryByRegion element, an array of [categorySlug, region, domains] triples sorted by slug then region, only when at least one region-scoped deny entry exists","region":"global","prompt":"What are the best telehealth services? Recommend the top brands or products that people actually use.","providers":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_aio","google_ai_mode"],"models":{"grok":"grok-4.3","claude":"claude-sonnet-5","gemini":"gemini-3.5-flash","openai":"gpt-5.5-2026-04-23","deepseek":"deepseek-flash","google_aio":"google_aio","perplexity":"sonar","bing_copilot":"bing_copilot","google_ai_mode":"google_ai_mode"},"runsPerProvider":1,"totalCalls":18,"ranking":[{"rank":1,"brand":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladochealth.com","entityId":"86d41bb4-50dd-4dd9-ae48-eb3ed1bd6fa6","score":58.1,"mentions":9,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_aio","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":1,"claude":1,"gemini":1,"openai":1,"deepseek":1,"google_aio":2,"perplexity":1,"bing_copilot":2,"google_ai_mode":1}},{"rank":2,"brand":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","entityId":"6e820cea-c3ed-4630-841e-0536dbacb632","score":50.1,"mentions":9,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_aio","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":2,"claude":5,"gemini":3,"openai":4,"deepseek":3,"google_aio":1,"perplexity":5,"bing_copilot":5,"google_ai_mode":4}},{"rank":3,"brand":"Sesame Care","domain":"sesamecare.com","entityId":"33d2f8bf-cb2c-46d0-8766-9bac8171a394","score":43.5,"mentions":7,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":3,"claude":2,"gemini":4,"openai":2,"deepseek":36,"perplexity":4,"bing_copilot":1}},{"rank":4,"brand":"Doctor On Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","entityId":"3cd6f3f1-eddd-420f-b1b4-e16796963c96","score":39.2,"mentions":6,"recommendedBy":["openai","perplexity","grok","bing_copilot","google_aio","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":6,"openai":6,"google_aio":3,"perplexity":2,"bing_copilot":6,"google_ai_mode":2}},{"rank":5,"brand":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","entityId":"492e6dfa-3f94-46e1-a52f-1995266883b6","score":38.7,"mentions":6,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":7,"claude":3,"openai":7,"deepseek":6,"bing_copilot":3,"google_ai_mode":3}},{"rank":6,"brand":"Amazon One Medical","domain":"amazon.com","entityId":"3666af11-2b31-4cd9-ae70-44c69cfdf69a","score":37.7,"mentions":6,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":4,"claude":13,"gemini":11,"openai":3,"deepseek":4,"bing_copilot":7}},{"rank":7,"brand":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","entityId":"a2d23925-ef02-4efe-b650-ccf5774577b1","score":33.4,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":5,"claude":4,"openai":5,"deepseek":2,"bing_copilot":4}},{"rank":8,"brand":"Hims & Hers","domain":"hims.com","entityId":"5b2e817c-0f7b-4219-8871-0691132e65e1","score":31.2,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","deepseek","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":8,"claude":7,"gemini":7,"openai":10,"deepseek":17}},{"rank":9,"brand":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","entityId":"b707eddd-74bc-43c8-b174-ff848b4550a2","score":31.2,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","deepseek","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":12,"claude":11,"gemini":8,"openai":9,"deepseek":9}},{"rank":10,"brand":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","entityId":"d9b0bbf9-b1dc-4746-ba73-f6b8c2bb6ea4","score":25.2,"mentions":4,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini","deepseek","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":11,"claude":10,"gemini":9,"deepseek":10}},{"rank":11,"brand":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","entityId":"87065196-d57b-455a-9efa-a087c205d698","score":20.3,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["openai","gemini","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"gemini":5,"openai":8,"google_ai_mode":5}},{"rank":12,"brand":"Ro","domain":"ro.co","entityId":"ebc0e0c2-7810-410a-b2dc-66bd3925d925","score":19.2,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["gemini","deepseek","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":9,"gemini":6,"deepseek":18}},{"rank":13,"brand":"Included Health","domain":"includedhealth.com","entityId":"f01d01c0-7bc2-46ab-9e59-adfa148ca8ef","score":14.9,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["gemini","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"gemini":2,"deepseek":8}},{"rank":14,"brand":"LifeMD","domain":"lifemd.com","entityId":"a349e585-8614-4cf8-b6e2-fe96d4b851ee","score":13.7,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["claude","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":10,"claude":6}},{"rank":15,"brand":"K Health","domain":"khealth.com","entityId":"30676011-cf46-42d4-85d6-b21114f8ef59","score":13.4,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["claude","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":14,"deepseek":5}},{"rank":16,"brand":"Grow Therapy","domain":null,"entityId":"68e1571e-46bd-4db0-a630-982c2a1278d8","score":13,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["deepseek","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":13,"deepseek":13}},{"rank":17,"brand":"Talkiatry","domain":"talkiatry.com","entityId":"c4e0294a-be2b-4f9a-9144-43918ddd0954","score":13,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["gemini","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"gemini":10,"deepseek":16}}],"answers":[{"provider":"bing_copilot","run":1,"model":"bing_copilot","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"Some of the top telehealth services widely used in 2026 include Sesame Care, Teladoc, PlushCare, Amwell, MDLive, and Doctor on Demand, each excelling in specialties ranging from primary care to mental health and sexual health.\n\n1. Sesame Care – Best Overall\n\nSpecialties: Comprehensive care including mental health, dental, dermatology, sexual health, pediatrics, chronic conditions, women’s health, and urgent care. Pricing: Starts at $37 per visit; membership subscription ($99/year or $10.99/month) reduces visit costs. Insurance: Does not accept insurance, but prescription payments processed at local pharmacies can use insurance. Highlights: Quick access to same-day appointments, broad service coverage, and affordability make it suitable for general healthcare needs Healthline+1 .\n\n2. Teladoc – Best for Insurance Coverage\n\nSpecialties: Primary care, mental health, dermatology, sexual health, pediatric services, and chronic conditions. Pricing: $0 with insurance or $75–$100 without insurance. Insurance: Accepted by most major insurers. Highlights: Large network of board-certified doctors, wide specialist access, and strong insurance integration. Ideal for users with existing health insurance plans Healthline+2 .\n\n3. PlushCare – Best for Sexual Health\n\nSpecialties: Primary care, mental health therapy, sexual health services, online prescriptions. Pricing: $14.99–$19.99/month membership; $99–$129 per visit without insurance. Insurance: Accepted by most major insurers. Highlights: Flexible appointment options, including same-day visits, and strong sexual health services such as STI testing and HIV preventive care Healthline+1 .\n\n4. Amwell – Best for Mental Health\n\nSpecialties: Urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, women’s health, pediatric care. Pricing: Urgent care visits start at $69; therapy \\(109+\\). Insurance: Broad coverage with many major plans. Highlights: Offers cognitive behavioral therapy, online counseling, and psychiatry, suitable for ongoing mental health support Healthline+1 .\n\n5. MDLive – Most Treatment Variety\n\nSpecialties: Primary care, urgent care, dermatology, therapy, psychiatry. Pricing: $82–$284 per visit depending on insurance and service type. Insurance: Accepted by Cigna and other major insurers. Highlights: Broad scope of care, AI symptom assessment, convenient online and phone-based visits, and rapid appointment availability Healthline+1 .\n\n6. Doctor on Demand – Best for Choosing a Doctor\n\nSpecialties: Urgent care, preventive health, chronic conditions, therapy, psychiatry. Pricing: $99 for a 15-minute doctor consultation; up to $299 for an initial psychiatric visit. Insurance: Accepted by many major insurers; Medicare Part B coverage for certain video visits. Highlights: In-house team of board-certified doctors allows continuity of care and personalized doctor selection Healthline+1 .\n\nChoosing a Telehealth Service\n\nWhen selecting a telehealth platform, consider these factors:\n\nHealthcare needs: Primary care, mental health, urgent care, sexual health, or specialty consultations.\nCost and insurance: Check whether your insurance coverage is accepted; some platforms offer membership discounts or lower self-pay options.\nAppointment speed and accessibility: Same-day visits or shorter wait times may be important.\nContinuity of care: Platforms like Doctor on Demand offer ongoing doctor relationships, which is beneficial for chronic or complex conditions.\nAI integration and features: Services like Amazon One Medical utilize AI for pre-visit assessments and documentation, improving efficiency and personalized care 1 .\n\nOverall, Sesame Care and Teladoc are widely recognized for general and insurance-friendly access, PlushCare and Amwell excel in sexual and mental health, MDLive provides the most variety, and Doctor on Demand is ideal if continuity and doctor choice are priorities.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":null,"position":1},{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":2},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":3},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":4},{"name":"MDLive","domain":"mdlive.com","position":5},{"name":"Doctor on Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":6},{"name":"Amazon One Medical","domain":null,"position":7}]},{"provider":"claude","run":1,"model":"claude-sonnet-5","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"# Best Telehealth Services\n\nHere's a breakdown of the most widely-used and highly-rated telehealth platforms, organized by what you're trying to accomplish:\n\n## 🏥 General/Primary Care\n\n**Teladoc** – One of the largest and most established players. Teladoc matches you with a local doctor who understands the health trends in your area, with a large provider network in all 50 states. Healthline also rates it **best for insurance coverage**.\n\n**Sesame Care** – Named Healthline's pick for best telehealth company overall, with visits starting at $37 and no insurance required — good for transparent, affordable pricing.\n\n**PlushCare** – Offers access to board-certified doctors for primary care and urgent care needs. Healthline ranks it **best for sexual health** specifically.\n\n**Amwell** – Provides a comprehensive platform for continuous care and remote patient health monitoring, and Telehealth.com calls it **best for second opinions**, noting Amwell's MyConsult service is ideal for people who'd like a second opinion on a diagnosis.\n\n**MDLIVE** – Healthline's pick for **most treatment variety**, and Telehealth.com notes it's great for fast mental health access: it can take weeks or longer to get an appointment with an in-person psychiatrist, but MDLIVE can connect you in just a few days.\n\n## 💊 Prescriptions & Specific Conditions\n\n**LifeMD** – Healthline's top pick for **weight management**.\n\n**Hims/Hers** – Popular consumer brands for men's/women's health issues (ED, hair loss, skin care).\n\n**Doctronic** – An AI-driven newer entrant that's gained traction fast — it leads with 99.2% treatment plan alignment and over 22 million consultations completed, with notably fast service (AI-assisted evaluation walks you through your symptoms before connecting you with a licensed physician).\n\n**SimpleHealth / Nurx-style services** – Common for birth control prescriptions without an office visit.\n\n## 🧠 Mental Health\n\n**BetterHelp** – The most mainstream therapy app, offering flexible ways to speak with a therapist, including scheduled video appointments and 24/7 text messaging.\n\n**Talkspace** – A major competitor to BetterHelp, especially popular for psychiatry + therapy combined.\n\n## 👩‍👧 Specialty Care\n\n**Maven Clinic** – Guides people having children and their partners through every step of planning and raising a family — the go-to for fertility/family planning telehealth.\n\n**One Medical** – Popular membership-based primary care with strong in-person + virtual hybrid model (owned by Amazon).\n\n**K Health** – AI-symptom-checker-driven app that's become popular for quick, low-cost urgent care consults.\n\n## 📊 Quick Comparison (Pricing)\n\n| Service | Starting Price |\n|---|---|\n| Sesame Care | $37/visit |\n| LifeMD | $19/month membership |\n| PlushCare | $19.99/month + insurance cost, or $129 without |\n| Teladoc | $89 without insurance, $0 with |\n| Amwell | From $69 |\n| Doctor on Demand | From $99 |\n\n*(Pricing per Healthline's 2026 comparison.)*\n\n---\n\n### Bottom line recommendations:\n- **Want cheap, no-insurance-needed general care?** → Sesame Care\n- **Want something insurance covers well?** → Teladoc\n- **Need therapy fast?** → BetterHelp or Talkspace\n- **Weight loss/GLP-1 meds?** → LifeMD\n- **Birth control, ED, or hair loss meds quickly?** → Hims/Hers or SimpleHealth\n- **Fertility/pregnancy support?** → Maven Clinic\n\nWould you like me to narrow this down based on your specific need (e.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":null,"position":2},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":null,"position":3},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":4},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":5},{"name":"LifeMD","domain":"lifemd.com","position":6},{"name":"Hims/Hers","domain":"forhims.com","position":7},{"name":"Doctronic","domain":"doctronic.ai","position":8},{"name":"SimpleHealth","domain":null,"position":9},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","position":10},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":11},{"name":"Maven Clinic","domain":"mavenclinic.com","position":12},{"name":"One Medical","domain":"onemedical.com","position":13},{"name":"K Health","domain":"khealth.com","position":14}]},{"provider":"deepseek","run":1,"model":"deepseek-flash","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"Assuming you’re in the U.S., the “best” telehealth service usually depends on whether you want urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, primary care, prescriptions, or help with a specific condition. The most widely used names are below — but coverage, pricing, and availability change fast.\n\n| Need | Top brands people actually use | Notes |\n|---|---|---|\n| Urgent care / general medical | **Teladoc**, **Amwell**, **MDLIVE**, **Amazon One Medical / Amazon Clinic**, **K Health** | Often available through insurance or employer. Good for infections, rashes, refills, minor issues. |\n| Virtual primary care | **Amazon One Medical**, **PlushCare**, **Circle Medical**, **K Health**, **Included Health** | Ongoing care, labs, referrals, some take insurance. |\n| Therapy | **Talkspace**, **BetterHelp**, **Brightside Health**, **Cerebral**, **Grow Therapy / Alma / Headway** | Talkspace is insurance-friendly; BetterHelp is the biggest cash-pay option; Brightside does therapy + meds. |\n| Psychiatry / med management | **Talkiatry**, **Brightside Health**, **Circle Medical**, **Cerebral** | Talkiatry is known for taking insurance. Controlled-substance rules are strict. |\n| Men’s health | **Hims**, **Ro**, **RexMD**, **BlueChew** | ED, hair loss, testosterone, weight loss, mental health. |\n| Women’s health | **Hers**, **Nurx**, **Wisp**, **Midi Health**, **Pandia Health** | Birth control, STIs, menopause, UTI, skincare, hair loss. |\n| Dermatology | **Curology**, **Apostrophe**, **Musely**, **Hims/Hers**, **Ro Derm** | Acne, aging, melasma, prescription topicals. |\n| ADHD | **Circle Medical**, **Klarity**, **ADHD Online** | Convenient, but be careful: some ADHD telehealth companies have faced legal/regulatory issues. |\n| Weight loss | **Ro**, **Hims/Hers**, **WeightWatchers Clinic**, **Form Health** | GLP-1 meds are expensive and often not covered; use legitimate pharmacies. |\n| Kids / pediatrics | **Blueberry Pediatrics**, **Teladoc** via insurance | Good for minor pediatric issues; not for emergencies. |\n| Chronic conditions | **Teladoc/Livongo**, **Omada Health**, **Virta Health**, **Included Health** | Diabetes, hypertension, mental health, employer/insurance programs. |\n| STI / sexual health | **Wisp**, **Nurx**, **PlushCare**, **Sesame** | Testing, treatment, PrEP, birth control. |\n| Cash-pay marketplace | **Sesame**, **Amazon Clinic**, **K Health** | Transparent pricing, no insurance needed. |\n\n**Quick picks by common need**\n- **Best overall urgent care:** Teladoc, or whatever your insurer uses — often Amwell or MDLIVE.\n- **Best cash-pay primary/urgent care:** Amazon One Medical / Amazon Clinic, Sesame, K Health.\n- **Best therapy:** Talkspace if using insurance; BetterHelp if paying cash; Brightside if you want therapy plus medication management.\n- **Best psychiatry:** Talkiatry and Brightside Health are common insurance-friendly choices.\n- **Best men’s/women’s health:** Hims, Hers, Ro, Nurx, Wisp, Midi Health.\n- **Best dermatology:** Curology, Apostrophe, Musely.\n- **Best ADHD:** Circle Medical and Klarity are widely used, but rules around stimulants are strict.\n- **Best weight/chronic care:** Ro, Hims/Hers, WeightWatchers Clinic, Form Health, Teladoc/Livongo, Omada, Virta.\n\n**Important caveats**\n- If you have insurance, start with your insurer’s member portal — that’s often the cheapest and easiest option.\n- Check that the provider is licensed in your state.\n- Telehealth is not for emergencies. Call 911 or 988 for crisis care.\n- Some brands have faced privacy or regulatory scrutiny, including BetterHelp, Cerebral, and Done. Read privacy policies and avoid any service that guarantees controlled substances.\n- Prices, insurance coverage, and availability change constantly.\n\nIf you tell me your country, insurance status, and what you need help with, I can narrow it to 2–3 specific options.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":2},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":3},{"name":"Amazon One Medical","domain":"amazon.com","position":4},{"name":"K Health","domain":"khealth.com","position":5},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":6},{"name":"Circle Medical","domain":"circlemedical.com","position":7},{"name":"Included Health","domain":"includedhealth.com","position":8},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":9},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","position":10},{"name":"Brightside Health","domain":"brightside.com","position":11},{"name":"Cerebral","domain":"cerebral.com","position":12},{"name":"Grow Therapy","domain":null,"position":13},{"name":"Alma","domain":null,"position":14},{"name":"Headway","domain":null,"position":15},{"name":"Talkiatry","domain":"talkiatry.com","position":16},{"name":"Hims","domain":"hims.com","position":17},{"name":"Ro","domain":"ro.co","position":18},{"name":"RexMD","domain":"rexmd.com","position":19},{"name":"BlueChew","domain":"bluechew.com","position":20},{"name":"Hers","domain":"forhers.com","position":21},{"name":"Nurx","domain":"nurx.com","position":22},{"name":"Wisp","domain":"wisp.com","position":23},{"name":"Midi Health","domain":null,"position":24},{"name":"Pandia Health","domain":null,"position":25},{"name":"Curology","domain":"curology.com","position":26},{"name":"Apostrophe","domain":"apostrophe.com","position":27},{"name":"Musely","domain":"musely.com","position":28},{"name":"Klarity","domain":null,"position":29},{"name":"ADHD Online","domain":null,"position":30},{"name":"WeightWatchers Clinic","domain":"weightwatchers.com","position":31},{"name":"Form Health","domain":null,"position":32},{"name":"Blueberry Pediatrics","domain":null,"position":33},{"name":"Omada Health","domain":"omadahealth.com","position":34},{"name":"Virta Health","domain":null,"position":35},{"name":"Sesame","domain":"sesamecare.com","position":36}]},{"provider":"gemini","run":1,"model":"gemini-3.5-flash","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"Because the telehealth landscape has matured, there is no single \"best\" platform. Instead, the right service depends on **what you need** (urgent care, therapy, a specific prescription) and **how you plan to pay** (using health insurance vs. paying cash out of pocket). \n\nThe top telehealth services and brands that people actually use are categorized below by their strengths:\n\n---\n\n### 1. Best Overall & Best for Urgent Care (With Insurance)\nIf you have commercial health insurance, a Medicare Advantage plan, or employer benefits, these are the giant, highly rated \"traditional\" telemedicine platforms. They offer 24/7 care, treat standard illnesses (UTIs, sinus infections, flu), and usually integrate directly with your copay.\n\n*   **Teladoc**\n    *   **Best for:** Comprehensive coverage and 24/7 urgent care.\n    *   **Why people use it:** As one of the largest telehealth providers in the world, Teladoc is incredibly reliable. It provides pediatric care, primary care, mental health, and dermatology. \n    *   **Payment:** Widely covered by almost all major insurance providers and employers.\n*   **Doctor on Demand (by Included Health)**\n    *   **Best for:** Patient experience and whole-person care.\n    *   **Why people use it:** Users consistently rank their app highly for the quality of doctors and face-to-face video experiences. You can select your own doctor from their directory. They also handle online labs and local referrals.\n    *   **Payment:** Works with many employer and health insurance plans.\n*   **MDLIVE**\n    *   **Best for:** Treatment variety and dermatology.\n    *   **Why people use it:** Owned by Cigna, MDLIVE has a massive network of board-certified doctors. It is highly regarded for its virtual dermatology clinics, allowing you to upload photos of a rash, acne, or eczema for a prompt diagnosis and prescription.\n\n---\n\n### 2. Best for No Insurance & Affordable Out-of-Pocket Cash Rates\nIf you do not have health insurance, or if your insurance has a high deductible, using traditional platforms can get expensive. These services focus on transparent, flat-fee pricing.\n\n*   **Sesame Care**\n    *   **Best for:** No insurance and choosing your own doctor.\n    *   **Why people use it:** Sesame is a \"marketplace\" for healthcare. You can scroll through local or virtual doctors, see their upfront prices (which are often as low as $30–$50 per visit), and book a same-day slot. There are absolutely no hidden fees.\n    *   **Payment:** High-value, flat cash rates (though you can pay with an HSA/FSA card).\n*   **GoodRx Care**\n    *   **Best for:** Quick, low-cost prescription refills.\n    *   **Why people use it:** For simple needs (like getting a birth control refill, a UTI prescription, or a basic skin medication), GoodRx Care offers rapid, text-based or video consults that often cost less than $30.\n\n---\n\n### 3. Best for Lifestyle Meds, GLP-1 Weight Loss, & Aesthetics\nIf you are looking for specific, ongoing medical treatments—such as weight loss (GLP-1s like Wegovy or Zepbound), hair loss, erectile dysfunction, birth control, or acne treatments—these platforms specialize in fully online \"asynchronous\" care.\n\n*   **Ro (and RoenRx)**\n    *   **Best for:** Weight management, sexual health, and continuous care.\n    *   **Why people use it:** Ro has emerged as one of the top-rated platforms by *U.S. News* for GLP-1 weight-loss medication management, pairing patients with doctors, insurance-navigation specialists, and lifestyle coaching.\n    *   **Payment:** Cash-pay monthly subscription models.\n*   **Hims & Hers**\n    *   **Best for:** Discreet, subscription-based wellness and hair/skin/sexual health.\n    *   **Why people use it:** It is arguably the most popular lifestyle telehealth brand. They offer a sleek, highly user-friendly app where you fill out a health questionnaire, match with a provider, and get your medication shipped directly to your door in unmarked packaging.\n\n---\n\n### 4. Best for Mental Health (Therapy & Psychiatry)\nMental health is the fastest-growing sector of telemedicine. These platforms focus strictly on licensed therapy and psychiatric medication management.\n\n*   **Talkspace**\n    *   **Best for:** Therapy that takes insurance.\n    *   **Why people use it:** Talkspace connects you with a licensed therapist for weekly live video sessions and text-based messaging. Unlike many of its cash-only competitors, Talkspace is heavily covered by insurance.\n*   **BetterHelp**\n    *   **Best for:** Highly flexible, out-of-pocket weekly therapy.\n    *   **Why people use it:** BetterHelp is the largest and most widely used online therapy platform. Its matching algorithm is highly praised, and if you don't connect with your therapist, you can switch with the click of a button. \n*   **Talkiatry**\n    *   **Best for:** Psychiatry and medication management (ADHD, Depression, Anxiety).\n    *   **Why people use it:** If you need a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who can prescribe psychiatric medications), Talkiatry is highly rated because they take major insurances and pair you with real, board-certified psychiatrists for regular virtual check-ins.\n\n---\n\n### 5. Best \"Hybrid\" Service (Online + In-Person)\n*   **Amazon One Medical**\n    *   **Best for:** Having the option of both physical clinics and 24/7 virtual care.\n    *   **Why people use it:** If you want a primary care doctor you can actually see in person when needed, but also want to be able to instantly video-chat a doctor at 2:00 AM on your phone, One Medical is the gold standard. \n    *   **Payment:** Requires a yearly membership fee (often discounted if you have Amazon Prime), but they accept standard health insurance for visits.\n\n---\n\n### Quick Guide on How to Choose:\n1.  **Do you have health insurance?** Start by logging into your insurance portal (like Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, or Aetna). They will likely point you directly to **Teladoc** or **MDLIVE**, where your visit might cost you a $0–$20 copay.\n2.  **Are you paying cash?** Use **Sesame Care** to compare doctor prices and book a same-day video visit.\n3.  **Do you just need a routine prescription refilled?** Use **GoodRx Care** or **PlushCare**.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Doctor on Demand","domain":"includedhealth.com","position":2},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":3},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":null,"position":4},{"name":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","position":5},{"name":"Ro","domain":"ro.co","position":6},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":"hims.com","position":7},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":8},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","position":9},{"name":"Talkiatry","domain":"talkiatry.com","position":10},{"name":"Amazon One Medical","domain":"onemedical.com","position":11}]},{"provider":"google_ai_mode","run":1,"model":"google_ai_mode","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"The best telehealth services that patients commonly use for everyday medical care, urgent needs, and prescriptions include Teladoc, Doctor on Demand, and PlushCare.\n\nTop Telehealth Brands and Their Best Uses\n\nTeladoc: Best for broad insurance integration and 24/7 general medical care. It covers everything from minor skin issues and respiratory infections to mental health therapy and chronic condition management.\nDoctor on Demand: Best for transparent pricing and high-quality video visits with board-certified physicians and psychiatrists. It handles urgent care, preventive care, and therapy without requiring a monthly subscription fee.\nPlushCare: Best for fast prescription refills and continuous virtual primary care. Patients often use it because appointments can be booked quickly with the same doctor for ongoing treatment.\nMDLive: Best for employer-sponsored plans and fast on-demand urgent care. It integrates smoothly with major health insurance networks to lower out-of-pocket costs.\nGoodRx Care: Best for low-cost, out-of-pocket urgent care and medication delivery. It is ideal for people who do not have health insurance and need treatment for common, acute issues like UTIs or sinus infections.\n\nIf you share what type of care you need (urgent care, mental health therapy, or ongoing primary care) and whether you plan to use insurance, I can recommend the most cost-effective option for you.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Doctor on Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":2},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":3},{"name":"MDLive","domain":"mdlive.com","position":4},{"name":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","position":5}]},{"provider":"google_aio","run":1,"model":"google_aio","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"MDLIVE is the best overall telehealth service for variety, offering urgent care, primary care, dermatology, and mental health.\n\nTop Telehealth Brands and Services\n\nMDLIVE: Best for condition variety. Treats common issues like allergies, UTIs, rashes, and mental health needs .\nTeladoc Health: Best for an all-in-one ecosystem. Offers 24/7 virtual doctor visits, primary care, chronic condition tracking, and mental health support.\nDoctor On Demand : Best for round-the-clock urgent and preventive care. Provides video access to medical histories, prescriptions, and wellness counseling.\n: Best for quick prescription and wellness scheduling. Offers same-day appointments 7 days a week for urgent, mental, and pediatric care.\n\nTo help narrow down the best choice, what specific type of care (urgent care, mental health, or chronic management) are you looking for?","extractedBrands":[{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":1},{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladoc.com","position":2},{"name":"Doctor On Demand","domain":null,"position":3}]},{"provider":"grok","run":1,"model":"grok-4.3","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"**Teladoc Health, MDLIVE, Sesame Care, Amwell, and Doctor on Demand (now often under Included Health) stand out as among the most popular and frequently recommended consumer-facing telehealth services in 2026.**[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[2]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-apps-2026/)\n\nThese platforms are highlighted across review roundups, market analyses, and user satisfaction data for their scale, insurance integration (where applicable), availability, and real-world usage. Teladoc is repeatedly noted as one of the largest by volume and network reach.[[3]](https://revenuebase.ai/companies/virtual-care-providers/united-states)[[4]](https://www.healthcarewebwire.com/u-s-telehealth-companies-ranked-by-market-share-2024/)\n\nHere’s a breakdown of the top options people actually use, grouped by common needs (based on recent comparisons of cost, insurance acceptance, wait times, specialties, and reviews):\n\n### Best for Insurance-Covered or Employer Plans\n- **Teladoc Health**: Often ranked as a top overall or safest choice due to broad acceptance of major insurance plans (including many employer-sponsored ones), 24/7 access, short wait times (often under 10 minutes), and services across primary/urgent care, mental health, dermatology, and more. It handles a very high volume of visits annually. Cash-pay options exist but insurance is the strength.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[2]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-apps-2026/)\n- **MDLIVE**: Strong for 24/7 urgent care, behavioral health, and dermatology, with good insurance acceptance (e.g., Aetna, Cigna, and others) and employer integration. Frequently praised for round-the-clock availability.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)\n\n### Best for Cash-Pay or Transparent Pricing (No Insurance Needed)\n- **Sesame Care**: Marketplace model with upfront pricing (often $25–$99 per visit), same-day options, and a wide range of providers/services. Popular for affordability, flexibility, and avoiding insurance hassles; users can compare doctors and prices directly.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[5]](https://www.meetaugust.ai/en/articles/best-telehealth-apps)\n- **Amazon Clinic**: Simple messaging-based consultations for common issues (pay-per-visit, typically $30–$75), with easy pharmacy integration via Amazon. Convenient for quick, straightforward needs.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)\n\n### Other Strong Contenders\n- **Amwell**: High marks in platform comparisons for features, integrations, mobile capabilities, and specialist access. Used in both consumer and enterprise settings; solid for a range of care including mental health.[[6]](https://www.selecthub.com/c/telehealth-platforms/)[[7]](https://dev.saasworthy.com/list/telemedicine-software)\n- **Doctor on Demand** (Included Health): Frequently appears in satisfaction rankings and lists for video visits, primary care, and continuity with providers. Good insurance options in many cases.[[8]](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/telehealth/top-10-telehealth-platforms/)\n- **PlushCare**: Well-suited for ongoing primary care relationships, with membership options and insurance acceptance for longitudinal care.[[9]](https://subrupt.com/best/telehealth)\n\n### Niche or Specialized Options People Use\n- **Hims & Hers, Ro, or LifeMD**: Subscription-style for specific conditions (e.g., men’s/women’s health, weight management, hair loss, ED). Often cash-pay with bundled meds/consults.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)\n- **BetterHelp, Talkspace, or Grow Therapy**: Leading for online therapy/mental health (separate from general medical telehealth). Grow Therapy often tops therapy-specific lists for network size and insurance; BetterHelp for value.[[10]](https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/best-online-therapy/)\n\n**Key factors when choosing**: \n- **Insurance users** → Prioritize Teladoc or MDLIVE for low/no copays and broad coverage. \n- **Cash-pay/self-pay** → Sesame or Amazon Clinic for transparency and lower costs. \n- **Mental health focus** → Dedicated therapy platforms or those with strong behavioral offerings like Teladoc/Amwell. \n- **Urgent/acute needs** → MDLIVE or Sesame for speed. \n- **Ongoing care** → PlushCare or services allowing follow-ups with the same provider.\n\n**Notes**: Costs vary widely by insurance status, location, service type, and promotions (e.g., $0–$89+ per visit or monthly subscriptions/memberships). Always verify current pricing, availability in your state, prescription policies, and insurance details directly, as they change. Many platforms also integrate with pharmacies for prescriptions. Usage data shows mental health drives a large share of telehealth claims, followed by follow-ups and medication management.[[11]](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/telehealth/telehealth-utilization-101-nationally-between-q4-2025-and-q1-2026-fair-health-tracker)\n\nFor the most current details or to compare specific needs, check recent reviews on sites like Forbes Health or direct platform sites, and confirm with your insurer or employer benefits. Telehealth remains popular for convenience but works best alongside in-person care when needed.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":2},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":null,"position":3},{"name":"Amazon Clinic","domain":"amazon.com","position":4},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":5},{"name":"Doctor on Demand","domain":null,"position":6},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":null,"position":7},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":null,"position":8},{"name":"Ro","domain":null,"position":9},{"name":"LifeMD","domain":null,"position":10},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":null,"position":11},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":null,"position":12},{"name":"Grow Therapy","domain":null,"position":13}]},{"provider":"openai","run":1,"model":"gpt-5.5-2026-04-23","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"Below are the **best telehealth services in the U.S. right now** if you want brands people actually use—not obscure apps. My short version: **check your insurance/employer portal first**, because the “best” option is often the one you already get for $0–$30 through benefits.\n\n## Best telehealth services — practical ranking\n\n| Rank | Service | Best for | Why I’d pick it |\n|---:|---|---|---|\n| **1** | **Teladoc Health** | Best overall / most likely covered by employer or insurance | Huge scale, 24/7 urgent care, mental health, primary care, chronic care, second opinions. Teladoc reported **17.1 million telehealth visits in 2025** and about **102 million U.S. members with access** to one or more services. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1477449/000147744926000012/tdoc-20251231.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **2** | **Sesame Care** | Best cash-pay / no insurance | Transparent self-pay marketplace for virtual visits; good when you want to see prices before booking. Sesame advertises virtual telehealth care for common issues and says pricing is transparent regardless of insurance status; some online visits are listed “from $37,” though exact price varies by provider/service. ([sesamecare.com](https://sesamecare.com/services/virtual?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **3** | **Amazon One Medical** | Best hybrid primary care if you live near One Medical offices | Strong if you want **virtual + in-person primary care**. Amazon One Medical offers pay-per-visit telehealth for common conditions and a membership model; Prime pricing has been advertised at **$9/month or $99/year**, with discounted family add-ons. ([aboutamazon.com](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/one-medical-amazon-same-day-prescription-health-care?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **4** | **MDLIVE** | Best broad insurer-backed option, especially urgent care + behavioral health + dermatology | A mainstream telehealth brand used through many health plans. MDLIVE offers urgent care, primary care, therapy, psychiatry, dermatology, and 24/7 urgent/everyday care. ([mdlive.com](https://www.mdlive.com/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **5** | **Amwell** | Best health-system / insurance-platform option | Often appears through insurers and health systems rather than as a flashy consumer app. Amwell says it powers digital care programs for about **50 health plans representing 90 million covered lives**, and its 2025 annual materials reported **4.5 million visits**. ([business.amwell.com](https://business.amwell.com/about-us/amwell-20th-anniversary?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **6** | **Doctor On Demand / Included Health** | Best employer-benefit option for urgent care + mental health | Good if your employer offers Included Health. Doctor On Demand is now part of Included Health and provides 24/7 virtual urgent care plus mental health, preventive, primary, and chronic care. ([doctorondemand.com](https://doctorondemand.com/about-us/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **7** | **PlushCare** | Best for online primary care with an ongoing doctor relationship | Good if you want same/next-day appointments and ongoing primary care, not just one-off urgent care. PlushCare lists a membership at **$19.99/month or $149/year**, and says uninsured doctor visits are **$129 flat self-pay**; insurance costs vary. ([plushcare.com](https://plushcare.com/how-it-works?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **8** | **GoodRx Care** | Best low-cost, straightforward common-condition visits | Good for simple issues, prescription refills, and price-sensitive users who already use GoodRx. GoodRx says telehealth visits start at **$59.99 for non-Gold members** and **$19 per visit for GoodRx Gold members** on some visits/services. ([support.goodrx.com](https://support.goodrx.com/hc/en-us/articles/17300672157979-What-is-GoodRx-Care?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **9** | **Talkspace** | Best mental-health-focused option that may take insurance | Better fit than general urgent-care apps if you mainly want therapy or psychiatry. Talkspace offers online therapy through video/audio/chat/messaging depending on plan, and says it partners with health plans for therapy and medication-management coverage. ([talkspace.com](https://www.talkspace.com/coverage/insurance?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **10** | **Hims & Hers** | Best condition-specific consumer telehealth: hair loss, sexual health, dermatology, weight loss, some mental health | Very widely used for recurring prescriptions and branded consumer-health programs. Hims & Hers reported **over 2.5 million subscribers at the end of 2025**, with offerings across sexual health, hair loss, hormone health, weight loss, dermatology, mental health, and lab testing. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1773751/000177375126000019/finalq42025shareholderle.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n## My quick recommendations by situation\n\n- **If you have employer/insurance telehealth:** Start with **Teladoc, MDLIVE, Amwell, Doctor On Demand/Included Health**, or whatever your benefits app shows. It may be free or the cheapest option.\n- **If you’re uninsured or high-deductible:** Start with **Sesame** or **GoodRx Care** because pricing is usually clearer up front.\n- **If you want a real primary-care relationship:** Try **Amazon One Medical** if there are offices near you, or **PlushCare** if you want virtual-first primary care.\n- **If you mainly need therapy/psychiatry:** Try **Talkspace** first if your insurance covers it. **BetterHelp** is widely known, but I would compare carefully because the FTC reached a 2023 privacy settlement with BetterHelp over allegations involving sharing sensitive health data for advertising; refunds began in 2024. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/05/betterhelp-customers-will-begin-receiving-notices-about-refunds-related-2023-privacy-settlement-ftc?utm_source=openai))\n- **If you need recurring lifestyle/condition-specific prescriptions:** **Hims & Hers** or **Ro** are common consumer telehealth choices, but they’re not a substitute for comprehensive primary care.\n\n## My top 5 if I had to choose only five\n\n1. **Teladoc Health** — safest general-purpose pick  \n2. **Sesame Care** — best cash-pay pick  \n3. **Amazon One Medical** — best hybrid primary-care pick  \n4. **MDLIVE** — best insurer-backed alternative to Teladoc  \n5. **Talkspace** — best mental-health-specific pick if covered by insurance  \n\n**Important:** Telehealth is great for many non-emergency issues, refills, basic infections, rashes, therapy, and some chronic-care follow-up—but use **911/ER/urgent in-person care** for chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reactions, major injuries, suicidal crisis, severe abdominal pain, or anything that needs an exam, imaging, or labs right away.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladochealth.com","position":1},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":"sesamecare.com","position":2},{"name":"Amazon One Medical","domain":"aboutamazon.com","position":3},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":4},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":5},{"name":"Doctor On Demand / Included Health","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":6},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":7},{"name":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","position":8},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":9},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":"himsandhers.com","position":10}]},{"provider":"perplexity","run":1,"model":"sonar","capturedAt":"2026-10-01T04:33:23.417Z","text":"If you want the **most-used, well-known telehealth brands**, the strongest general options are **Teladoc Health, Doctor On Demand (now Doctor On Demand by Included Health in many contexts), CVS MinuteClinic Virtual Care, Sesame, MDLive, and LiveHealth Online**.[1][2][3][5][10][18]\n\nFor different needs, the best fit is usually:\n\n| Best for | Brand | Why people use it |\n|---|---|---|\n| **General urgent care** | **Teladoc Health** | Broad 24/7 access for common issues like colds, flu, allergies, and infections.[1] |\n| **Transparent pricing / pay-per-visit** | **Doctor On Demand** | Known for a straightforward $99 15-minute visit for people without insurance.[2] |\n| **Retail pharmacy convenience** | **CVS MinuteClinic Virtual Care** | Easy if you already use CVS, with upfront pricing and virtual visits.[3] |\n| **Affordable doctor choice** | **Sesame** | Frequently ranked highly for affordability and choosing your clinician.[5][6] |\n| **Broad telemedicine coverage** | **MDLive** | Often listed among top comprehensive telemedicine platforms.[10] |\n| **Primary + behavioral health** | **LiveHealth Online** | Covers urgent and behavioral health services.[18] |\n\nIf you want the most commonly recommended *top brands people actually use*, I’d shortlist **Teladoc, Doctor On Demand, CVS MinuteClinic Virtual Care, and Sesame** because they show up repeatedly in major consumer rankings and have clear consumer-facing use cases.[1][2][3][4][5][6][10]\n\nA few practical notes:\n- **Teladoc** is one of the most recognizable names and is built for broad, anytime care.[1]\n- **Doctor On Demand** is strong if you want a simple urgent-care-style visit and clear pricing.[2]\n- **CVS MinuteClinic Virtual Care** is best if convenience and pharmacy access matter most.[3]\n- **Sesame** is a standout if you care about affordability and want to shop among providers.[4][5][6]\n\nIf you want, I can also give you:\n- the **best telehealth services for mental health**\n- the **best telehealth services for women**\n- the **cheapest telehealth options**\n- a **ranked top 5 by overall quality**","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladochealth.com","position":1},{"name":"Doctor On Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":2},{"name":"CVS MinuteClinic Virtual Care","domain":"cvs.com","position":3},{"name":"Sesame","domain":null,"position":4},{"name":"MDLive","domain":null,"position":5},{"name":"LiveHealth Online","domain":null,"position":6}]}]}