{"source":"CiteHawk AI Index","record":"telehealth services — 2026-10","url":"https://www.citehawk.com/leaderboards/editions/2026-10/telehealth-services/us","immutable":true,"snapshotId":"1e38340c-e6c9-4e6b-9ea9-bda149a50e0a","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.294+00:00","contentHash":"9dbe0b62877b224f8245b8829f4421252de1f5811eabba7ccd9b57bf307e7d08","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, and after it a trailing notInCategoryByName element, an array of [categorySlug, regionScope, names] triples sorted by slug then scope (regionScope \"*\" for every board region, names as published), only when at least one name-scoped deny entry exists","region":"us","prompt":"What are the best telehealth services in the United States? Recommend the top brands or products that people actually use.\n\nAnswer as if the user is in the United States.","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":"teladoc.com","entityId":"86d41bb4-50dd-4dd9-ae48-eb3ed1bd6fa6","score":57.9,"mentions":8,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_aio"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":1,"claude":1,"gemini":1,"openai":1,"deepseek":1,"google_aio":1,"perplexity":1,"bing_copilot":1}},{"rank":2,"brand":"Sesame Care","domain":"sesamecare.com","entityId":"33d2f8bf-cb2c-46d0-8766-9bac8171a394","score":46.2,"mentions":8,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":4,"claude":2,"gemini":7,"openai":3,"deepseek":6,"perplexity":4,"bing_copilot":8,"google_ai_mode":3}},{"rank":3,"brand":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","entityId":"a2d23925-ef02-4efe-b650-ccf5774577b1","score":44.9,"mentions":7,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":3,"claude":5,"gemini":3,"openai":7,"deepseek":2,"perplexity":2,"bing_copilot":2}},{"rank":4,"brand":"Doctor on Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","entityId":"3cd6f3f1-eddd-420f-b1b4-e16796963c96","score":44.7,"mentions":7,"recommendedBy":["openai","gemini","perplexity","bing_copilot","google_aio","google_ai_mode","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":6,"gemini":2,"openai":6,"google_aio":2,"perplexity":3,"bing_copilot":4,"google_ai_mode":2}},{"rank":5,"brand":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","entityId":"492e6dfa-3f94-46e1-a52f-1995266883b6","score":37.8,"mentions":6,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":5,"claude":3,"openai":4,"deepseek":10,"bing_copilot":6,"google_ai_mode":1}},{"rank":6,"brand":"Hims & Hers","domain":"hims.com","entityId":"5b2e817c-0f7b-4219-8871-0691132e65e1","score":36.8,"mentions":6,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","grok","google_aio","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":9,"claude":10,"gemini":5,"openai":10,"google_aio":3,"google_ai_mode":6}},{"rank":7,"brand":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","entityId":"b707eddd-74bc-43c8-b174-ff848b4550a2","score":36.2,"mentions":6,"recommendedBy":["openai","claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":7,"gemini":8,"openai":8,"deepseek":16.5,"perplexity":6}},{"rank":8,"brand":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","entityId":"6e820cea-c3ed-4630-841e-0536dbacb632","score":33.6,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":2,"claude":4,"gemini":4,"deepseek":3,"bing_copilot":3}},{"rank":9,"brand":"Amazon One Medical","domain":"onemedical.com","entityId":"04c51e37-8424-4ef5-ba34-3774d8feb01b","score":31.3,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["openai","perplexity","deepseek","bing_copilot","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"openai":5,"deepseek":5,"perplexity":5,"bing_copilot":10,"google_ai_mode":7}},{"rank":10,"brand":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","entityId":"d9b0bbf9-b1dc-4746-ba73-f6b8c2bb6ea4","score":30.8,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["claude","gemini","perplexity","deepseek","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":6,"gemini":9,"deepseek":14,"perplexity":7,"google_ai_mode":4}},{"rank":11,"brand":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","entityId":"87065196-d57b-455a-9efa-a087c205d698","score":30.6,"mentions":5,"recommendedBy":["openai","perplexity","deepseek","grok","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":12,"openai":10,"deepseek":8,"perplexity":10,"bing_copilot":5}},{"rank":12,"brand":"Ro","domain":"ro.co","entityId":"ebc0e0c2-7810-410a-b2dc-66bd3925d925","score":24.3,"mentions":4,"recommendedBy":["gemini","deepseek","grok","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":10,"gemini":6,"deepseek":26,"google_ai_mode":8}},{"rank":13,"brand":"Talkiatry","domain":null,"entityId":"c4e0294a-be2b-4f9a-9144-43918ddd0954","score":18.8,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["deepseek","bing_copilot","google_ai_mode"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"deepseek":18,"bing_copilot":9,"google_ai_mode":5}},{"rank":14,"brand":"Brightside","domain":null,"entityId":"b54af605-209e-471c-884c-8c2b0f30bcc7","score":18.5,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["perplexity","deepseek","grok"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"grok":11,"deepseek":19,"perplexity":9}},{"rank":15,"brand":"Nurx","domain":"nurx.com","entityId":"2abf273b-cfb9-4522-b4cb-464386f0ad26","score":18.3,"mentions":3,"recommendedBy":["gemini","perplexity","deepseek"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"gemini":11,"deepseek":27,"perplexity":8}},{"rank":16,"brand":"LifeMD","domain":"lifemd.com","entityId":"a349e585-8614-4cf8-b6e2-fe96d4b851ee","score":13.4,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["claude","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"claude":9,"bing_copilot":7}},{"rank":17,"brand":"K Health","domain":"khealth.com","entityId":"30676011-cf46-42d4-85d6-b21114f8ef59","score":13.2,"mentions":2,"recommendedBy":["deepseek","bing_copilot"],"averagePositionByProvider":{"deepseek":7,"bing_copilot":11}}],"answers":[{"provider":"bing_copilot","run":1,"model":"bing_copilot","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"The top telehealth services in the U.S. include Teladoc, Amwell, MDLIVE, Doctor On Demand, GoodRx Care, and several specialized platforms, offering broad access, convenience, and affordability.\n\nTop Telehealth Platforms\n\n1. Teladoc Health\n\nBest for broad access and insurance coverage\n\nSpecialties: urgent care, primary care, dermatology, mental health, pediatric services, chronic condition management.\nPricing: $75–$99 per urgent care visit without insurance; many insurance plans provide $0 copay.\nKey features: Available in all 50 states, 24/7 access, connecting users to local, licensed clinicians, and broad specialist networks.\nPros: Extensive network and insurance coverage, reliable access; cons: visit costs can be higher without insurance 1 .\n\n2. Amwell\n\nBest for mental health and high patient ratings\n\nSpecialties: urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, general medical care, women’s health, pediatrics.\nPricing: $79–$279 per visit without insurance; urgent care starts at $69, online therapy around $109.\nKey features: User-friendly platform, strong app experience, access to licensed therapists and physicians.\nPros: High patient satisfaction, polished interface; cons: similar out-of-pocket pricing to Teladoc 1 .\n\n3. MDLIVE\n\nMost treatment variety, especially for behavioral health\n\nSpecialties: non-urgent medical care, dermatology, therapy, and psychiatry.\nPricing: $82–$284 per visit depending on service and insurance.\nKey features: Fast psychiatric appointment availability, covers urgent care, dermatology, and mental health consultations.\nPros: Quick mental health care; cons: slightly higher cost for psychiatric appointments, insurance coverage varies 1 .\n\n4. Doctor On Demand\n\nBest for choosing a personal physician and employer coverage\n\nSpecialties: primary care, urgent care, behavioral health, and chronic care management.\nPricing: $99 for medical visits, $134 for therapy without insurance.\nKey features: Integrated care with employer plans covering over 98 million Americans, mental health support, chronic condition management.\nPros: Strong for integrated care; cons: pricing is higher without employer or insurance coverage 1 .\n\n5. GoodRx Care\n\nBest for uninsured or low-cost urgent care\n\nSpecialties: basic urgent care services.\nPricing: $19 with a Gold membership, $49 otherwise.\nKey features: Low cost, combines telehealth with prescription discounts.\nPros: Affordable for uninsured; cons: limited treatment scope compared to Teladoc or Amwell 1 .\n\n6. Specialized Platforms\n\nPlushCare – Focus on sexual health, primary care, and preventive care. Offers same-day appointments and insurance coverage for many plans 1 .\nLifeMD – Ideal for weight management programs, lab testing, and prescription support, including GLP-1 medications 1 .\nSesame Care – Good for affordable comprehensive care including urgent care, mental health, and dermatology, offering same-day appointments and subscription discounts 1 .\nTalkiatry – Specialized psychiatry platform with AI-enhanced documentation, strong insurance acceptance, suitable for long-term mental health management 1 .\n\nHow to Choose the Right Telehealth Service\n\nIdentify your primary need: Urgent care, chronic management, mental health, or specialist advice.\nCheck insurance coverage: Out-of-pocket costs vary widely; Teladoc and Amwell accept most major insurers.\nConsider convenience: Platforms like Teladoc and MDLIVE offer 24/7 access, while others like LifeMD focus on rapid appointments.\nEvaluate platform features: AI integrations (Amazon One Medical, K Health) may improve triage and efficiency.\nReview patient feedback: App experience, access to providers, and responsiveness often vary.\n\nThese platforms collectively provide high-quality telehealth options across the U.S., meeting diverse healthcare needs without leaving home Healthline+2 .","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":2},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":3},{"name":"Doctor On Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":4},{"name":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","position":5},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":null,"position":6},{"name":"LifeMD","domain":"lifemd.com","position":7},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":null,"position":8},{"name":"Talkiatry","domain":null,"position":9},{"name":"Amazon One Medical","domain":"onemedical.com","position":10},{"name":"K Health","domain":"khealth.com","position":11},{"name":"Healthline","domain":"healthline.com","position":12}]},{"provider":"claude","run":1,"model":"claude-sonnet-5","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"# Best Telehealth Services in the U.S. (2026)\n\nHere's a breakdown of the most widely used and highly rated telehealth platforms, organized by what they're best for:\n\n## General/Primary Care\n\n**Teladoc** – One of the biggest names in the space. Teladoc is a comprehensive telehealth company that offers primary care, psychiatric, and mental health services, with next-day or same-day availability in many states, and it's available nationally and covered by most commercial health insurance plans. Pricing runs from $89 without insurance, $0 with insurance.\n\n**Sesame Care** – Often cited as the best overall pick for value. Sesame Care stands out for affordable care across a wide range of health needs, with same-day visits available. Visits start from $37, with a $99 annual or $10.99 monthly Sesame Plus membership.\n\n**PlushCare** – PlushCare is a telehealth platform that provides same-day appointments for mental health care, urgent care, and primary care, with pricing around $19.99 monthly membership plus an estimated cost with insurance, or $129 without insurance.\n\n**MDLIVE** – MDLive is a telehealth platform for online mental health and medical care, and it's noted for having the most treatment variety among major platforms, with pricing from $0 to $299, depending on service and insurance.\n\n**Amwell** – Amwell is the best telemedicine app for doctors, providing a comprehensive platform for continuous care and remote patient health monitoring, and it's frequently recommended as a top pick for mental health services, starting from $69, depending on insurance.\n\n## Mental Health & Therapy\n\n**BetterHelp** – The largest online therapy platform. BetterHelp offers flexible ways to speak with a therapist, including scheduled video appointments and 24/7 text messaging.\n\n**Talkspace** – Another major player frequently listed among top telehealth apps for mental health counseling.\n\n## Specialty Care\n\n**Maven Clinic** – Maven guides people having children and their partners through every step of planning and raising a family, making it a top choice for fertility and family planning.\n\n**LifeMD** – The go-to for weight management/GLP-1 prescriptions, with a simple $19 monthly membership structure.\n\n**Hims & Hers** – Popular consumer brands for men's and women's health issues (hair loss, ED, skincare, mental health), known for straightforward subscription pricing and discreet care.\n\n**MDVIP** – Best for ongoing, membership-based primary care, particularly for people with chronic illness and other ongoing medical needs.\n\n## Retail/Insurance-Backed Options\n\n**LiveHealth Online** (Anthem/Elevance) and **Walmart Health Virtual Care** are also widely used, especially by people whose insurance plans integrate directly with these services, often resulting in low or no out-of-pocket costs.\n\n---\n\n### Quick Recommendations by Need:\n- **Just want a cheap, fast doctor visit:** Sesame Care or PlushCare\n- **Have insurance and want broad coverage:** Teladoc or LiveHealth Online\n- **Need therapy/counseling:** BetterHelp or Talkspace\n- **Weight loss/GLP-1s:** LifeMD\n- **Men's/women's health subscriptions:** Hims/Hers\n- **Family planning/fertility:** Maven Clinic\n\nMost of these apps are available on iOS/Android and let you book same-day or next-day appointments. If you have employer-sponsored insurance, it's worth checking first — many plans (UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Anthem, Aetna) include free or discounted access to Teladoc, Amwell,","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":null,"position":2},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":3},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":4},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":5},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","position":6},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":7},{"name":"Maven Clinic","domain":null,"position":8},{"name":"LifeMD","domain":"lifemd.com","position":9},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":"hims.com","position":10},{"name":"MDVIP","domain":"mdvip.com","position":11},{"name":"LiveHealth Online","domain":null,"position":12},{"name":"Walmart Health Virtual Care","domain":null,"position":13},{"name":"UnitedHealthcare","domain":"uhc.com","position":14},{"name":"Cigna","domain":"cigna.com","position":15},{"name":"Anthem","domain":"anthem.com","position":16},{"name":"Aetna","domain":"aetna.com","position":17}]},{"provider":"deepseek","run":1,"model":"deepseek-flash","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"There’s no single “best” telehealth service in the U.S. — it depends on whether you’re using insurance, paying cash, need therapy vs. urgent care, or want ongoing primary care. That said, these are the brands people in the U.S. actually use most and generally rate well.\n\n## Best overall / most-used telehealth brands\n\n| Need | Top picks | Why people use them |\n|---|---|---|\n| General urgent care | **Teladoc Health**, **Amwell**, **MDLIVE**, **Included Health / Doctor On Demand** | 24/7 virtual visits for colds, UTIs, rashes, refills, etc. Often covered by insurance or employer plans. |\n| Cash-pay convenience | **Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit** (formerly Amazon Clinic), **Sesame**, **K Health**, **GoodRx Care** | Fast, transparent pricing, good for common issues when you don’t want to use insurance. |\n| Virtual primary care | **One Medical** (Amazon), **PlushCare**, **Galileo**, **Circle Medical** | Ongoing care, labs, prescriptions, chronic conditions, some in-person options. |\n| Therapy | **Talkspace**, **BetterHelp**, **Headway**, **Grow Therapy**, **Alma** | Talkspace/BetterHelp are direct-to-consumer; Headway/Grow/Alma help you find in-network therapists. |\n| Psychiatry / med management | **Talkiatry**, **Brightside**, **Talkspace Psychiatry**, **Cerebral** | ADHD, anxiety, depression, medication management. Check state rules for controlled substances. |\n| Dermatology | **Apostrophe**, **Curology**, **Musely**, **Hers**, **Ro** | Acne, aging, melasma, hair loss, prescription topicals. |\n| Women’s health | **Nurx**, **Wisp**, **Midi Health**, **Evernow**, **Favor**, **Planned Parenthood Direct** | Birth control, UTIs, STIs, PrEP, yeast infections, menopause. |\n| Men’s health | **Hims**, **Ro** | ED, hair loss, weight loss, mental health, skincare. |\n| Chronic conditions | **Omada Health**, **Virta Health**, **Teladoc Livongo**, **Found**, **Calibrate** | Diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, obesity, metabolic health. Often through employers/insurance. |\n| Pediatrics | **Blueberry Pediatrics**, local children’s hospital virtual care | 24/7 pediatricians for kids’ common issues. Blueberry is membership-based. |\n\n## The short list most Americans actually use\n- **Teladoc** — the biggest general telehealth brand; often available through insurance/employers.\n- **Amwell** and **MDLIVE** — similar to Teladoc, frequently covered by insurance.\n- **Included Health / Doctor On Demand** — common employer/insurance virtual care.\n- **Amazon One Medical** — growing fast because of Amazon/Prime convenience; good for virtual primary care and pay-per-visit.\n- **PlushCare** — strong virtual primary care that can order labs and prescribe.\n- **Talkspace** and **BetterHelp** — the best-known therapy platforms.\n- **Headway** and **Grow Therapy** — best if you want an in-network therapist or psychiatrist with insurance.\n- **Talkiatry** — popular for psychiatry with insurance.\n- **Hims / Hers** and **Ro** — dominant in men’s/women’s health, hair, ED, skincare, weight loss.\n- **Nurx** and **Wisp** — widely used for birth control, STIs, UTIs, and women’s health.\n- **Apostrophe** and **Curology** — popular dermatology telehealth.\n- **Omada** and **Virta** — major players in chronic condition management.\n\n## How to choose in the U.S.\n1. **If you have insurance:** Start with your insurance app or member portal. It will usually route you to Teladoc, MDLIVE, Amwell, Included Health, or LiveHealth Online. That’s almost always the cheapest option.\n2. **If paying cash:** Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit, Sesame, K Health, GoodRx Care, PlushCare, Wisp, and Nurx are good places to start.\n3. **For therapy/psychiatry:** If you want insurance, try Headway, Grow Therapy, Alma, or Talkiatry. If you want cash-pay and messaging, Talkspace or BetterHelp.\n4. **Check state availability:** Telehealth clinicians must be licensed in your state, and some won’t prescribe controlled substances like Adderall or Xanax via telehealth.\n5. **Emergencies:** Telehealth is not for emergencies. Call **911** or go to an ER for chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, suicidal thoughts, or major injuries.\n\n**Bottom line:** For general medical care, **Teladoc, Amwell, MDLIVE, Amazon One Medical, and PlushCare** are the safest mainstream picks. For mental health, **Talkspace, BetterHelp, Headway, Grow Therapy, and Talkiatry** are the most-used. For women’s/men’s health and dermatology, **Nurx, Wisp, Hims, Hers, Ro, Apostrophe, and Curology** dominate.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":2},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":3},{"name":"Included Health / Doctor On Demand","domain":null,"position":4},{"name":"Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit","domain":"onemedical.com","position":5},{"name":"Sesame","domain":null,"position":6},{"name":"K Health","domain":null,"position":7},{"name":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","position":8},{"name":"One Medical","domain":"onemedical.com","position":9},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":10},{"name":"Galileo","domain":null,"position":11},{"name":"Circle Medical","domain":null,"position":12},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":13},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","position":14},{"name":"Headway","domain":null,"position":15},{"name":"Grow Therapy","domain":null,"position":16},{"name":"Alma","domain":null,"position":17},{"name":"Talkiatry","domain":null,"position":18},{"name":"Brightside","domain":null,"position":19},{"name":"Talkspace Psychiatry","domain":null,"position":20},{"name":"Cerebral","domain":null,"position":21},{"name":"Apostrophe","domain":null,"position":22},{"name":"Curology","domain":null,"position":23},{"name":"Musely","domain":null,"position":24},{"name":"Hers","domain":null,"position":25},{"name":"Ro","domain":null,"position":26},{"name":"Nurx","domain":null,"position":27},{"name":"Wisp","domain":null,"position":28},{"name":"Midi Health","domain":null,"position":29},{"name":"Evernow","domain":null,"position":30},{"name":"Favor","domain":null,"position":31},{"name":"Planned Parenthood Direct","domain":"plannedparenthood.org","position":32},{"name":"Hims","domain":null,"position":33},{"name":"Omada Health","domain":null,"position":34},{"name":"Virta Health","domain":null,"position":35},{"name":"Teladoc Livongo","domain":null,"position":36},{"name":"Found","domain":null,"position":37},{"name":"Calibrate","domain":null,"position":38},{"name":"Blueberry Pediatrics","domain":null,"position":39}]},{"provider":"gemini","run":1,"model":"gemini-3.5-flash","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"Because the U.S. healthcare system can be complicated, there is no single \"best\" telehealth service for everyone. Instead, the right platform depends entirely on **what you are treating**, **whether you plan to use insurance**, and **how quickly you need to be seen**. \n\nTo help you find what you need, the top-rated and most widely used telehealth services in the United States are broken down below by category.\n\n---\n\n### 1. Best Overall for Urgent Care & Insurance Coverage\nIf you have commercial health insurance (or an employer-sponsored plan) and need a general doctor for an urgent issue, sinus infection, or basic check-up, these are the market leaders.\n\n*   **Teladoc Health**\n    *   **Why people use it:** It is the largest telehealth network in the country. If your employer or health insurance provider offers a telemedicine benefit, it is highly likely they partner with Teladoc, often making your visit effectively free or a very low copay. \n    *   **Best for:** 24/7 urgent care, general primary care, and dermatology. Average wait times for general medical consultations are often under 10 minutes.\n*   **Doctor on Demand & Amwell**\n    *   **Why people use it:** Both are highly rated, doctor-centric platforms that focus on high-quality clinical care. Amwell is famous for integrating with major hospital networks' electronic medical records (EMRs), meaning a telehealth doctor can write notes that seamlessly sync with your local primary care doctor’s chart.\n    *   **Best for:** Specialist access (like pediatrics, psychiatry, and physical therapy) and coordinated hospital-system care.\n*   **MDLIVE**\n    *   **Why people use it:** Unlike many platforms that auto-assign you to the next available doctor, MDLIVE is highly rated because it allows you to look through provider profiles and **choose your own doctor**. \n    *   **Best for:** 24/7/365 emergency access, pediatric care, and behavioral health.\n\n---\n\n### 2. Best for Quick Prescriptions & Lifestyle Care (No Insurance Needed)\nIf you do not have health insurance, have a high deductible, or just want to bypass the pharmacy line, these direct-to-consumer (DTC) cash-pay services are incredibly popular.\n\n*   **Hims & Hers**\n    *   **Why people use it:** As the largest publicly traded consumer telehealth brand, they have normalized virtual care for personal or potentially sensitive health issues. The consultation is typically done via an online intake form (asynchronous text), and if approved, your medication is mailed discreetly to your door.\n    *   **Best for:** Hair loss, skincare, sexual health (ED/birth control), weight loss (including GLP-1 programs), and anxiety/depression.\n*   **Ro (and RoenRx)**\n    *   **Why people use it:** Ro is Hims’ main competitor and operates on a very similar, highly convenient model. They excel at managing chronic, lifestyle-adjacent conditions with zero-friction, auto-shipping medication refills.\n    *   **Best for:** GLP-1 weight loss medications, sexual health, hair loss, and eczema.\n*   **Sesame Care**\n    *   **Why people use it:** Sesame is the ultimate marketplace for transparent, cash-pay medical care. You type in your symptom, and you will see a list of licensed doctors with their exact, upfront pricing (typically ranging from $25 to $75 per visit). There are no hidden fees or surprise insurance bills.\n    *   **Best for:** The uninsured, those using HSA/FSA funds, quick one-time prescription refills, and dental consults.\n\n---\n\n### 3. Best for Mental Health (Therapy & Psychiatry)\nWith the rise of virtual mental health, you no longer have to wait months for an in-person opening. \n\n*   **Talkspace & BetterHelp**\n    *   **Why people use it:** These are the two giants of virtual therapy. **BetterHelp** operates on a flat-rate weekly subscription model (great for consistent, out-of-pocket text and video therapy), while **Talkspace** is highly integrated with health insurance, meaning your sessions may be covered by your plan.\n    *   **Best for:** Ongoing weekly therapy and counseling. \n*   **Brightside Health**\n    *   **Why people use it:** While therapy apps are great for mild-to-moderate anxiety, Brightside specializes in clinical-grade, personalized telepsychiatry for depression, mood disorders, and anxiety. They use proprietary AI tools to match you with the exact right medication and dosage, and they accept major insurance plans (like Aetna, Blue Cross, and Centene).\n    *   **Best for:** Medication management for clinical depression and anxiety.\n\n---\n\n### 4. Best for Women’s Health\n*   **Nurx**\n    *   **Why people use it:** Nurx has made access to basic women's healthcare incredibly easy. Through a quick text-based medical review, you can get prescriptions for birth control, emergency contraception, or herpes treatment shipped directly to your mailbox. They also offer convenient home testing kits (STI tests and HPV screenings).\n    *   **Best for:** Birth control refills, acne treatments, and discreet sexual health screenings.\n\n---\n\n### Three Questions to Ask Before You Pick:\n1.  **Does it take my insurance?** If yes, start with **Teladoc** or **MDLIVE**—your visit might only cost you a $10–$20 copay.\n2.  **Does the price include the medicine?** Platforms like **Hims/Hers** or **Ro** often bundle the doctor's consult fee and the cost of the actual medication into one monthly price. Platforms like **Sesame** or **PlushCare** charge you for the doctor's visit, and you will have to pay the pharmacy separately for the medication.\n3.  **Do I want video or text?** If you are camera-shy, check if the platform allows text-based/asynchronous consults (like **Nurx** or **Ro**) versus live video (like **Doctor on Demand**).","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Doctor on Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":2},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":3},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":4},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":"himshers.com","position":5},{"name":"Ro","domain":"ro.co","position":6},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":"sesamecare.com","position":7},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":8},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","position":9},{"name":"Brightside Health","domain":"brightside.com","position":10},{"name":"Nurx","domain":"nurx.com","position":11}]},{"provider":"google_ai_mode","run":1,"model":"google_ai_mode","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"When looking for the best telehealth services in the United States, the \"right\" platform depends heavily on what you need—whether it’s a quick middle-of-the-night prescription for a sinus infection, ongoing therapy, or specialized care like weight management.\n\nThe top-rated and most widely used telehealth brands in the U.S. span several key categories:\n\n1. General Urgent Care & Everyday Medical Visits\n\nPlushCare: Frequently ranked as a top overall choice for general medical care. It allows you to book same-day virtual appointments with board-certified doctors, get prescriptions sent directly to your local pharmacy, and use major health insurance.\nDoctor On Demand: Exceptionally popular with high consumer satisfaction and millions of app downloads. It handles everything from minor acute illnesses (colds, flu, rashes) to preventative care and pediatric needs, and works with many large health plans and employers.\nSesame: Ideal for people who are uninsured, underinsured, or have high-deductible plans. Sesame operates on a transparent, pay-per-visit cash price model rather than monthly subscriptions, often saving users money on straightforward doctor consultations or lab orders.\n\n2. Mental Health & Therapy\n\nBetterHelp: The largest and most prominent subscription-based online therapy platform in the U.S. It connects users with licensed counselors via text, chat, phone, or video sessions. (Note: BetterHelp therapists focus strictly on talk therapy and do not prescribe psychiatric medication.)\nTalkiatry: A strong alternative for those who specifically need psychiatry and medication management rather than just talk therapy. They accept major insurance networks, making virtual psychiatric care much more affordable than standard out-of-pocket models.\n\n3. Niche & Specialty Care (Men’s/Women’s Health & Weight Loss)\n\nHims & Hers: Massively popular direct-to-consumer lifestyle and telehealth brands. Hims focuses on men's health (hair loss, ED, skincare), while Hers centers on women’s health (birth control, mental health, anti-aging). They combine quick asynchronous or video medical intake with direct-to-doorstep product delivery.\nAmazon One Medical & Ro: Recognized as top performers in recent industry evaluations (such as U.S. News & World Report's telehealth and GLP-1 platforms rankings). Amazon One Medical excels in insurance support and blended hybrid care, while Ro scores high for overall customer satisfaction in specialized treatment tracks like metabolic and weight-loss care.\n\nIf you'd like to narrow down the best option for your situation, let me know:\n\nAre you looking to use health insurance or pay out-of-pocket/cash-pay?\nWhat specific type of care do you need (urgent care, ongoing primary care, therapy, or a prescription refill)?","extractedBrands":[{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":1},{"name":"Doctor On Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":2},{"name":"Sesame","domain":"sesamecare.com","position":3},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":"betterhelp.com","position":4},{"name":"Talkiatry","domain":null,"position":5},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":"hims.com","position":6},{"name":"Amazon One Medical","domain":"onemedical.com","position":7},{"name":"Ro","domain":"ro.co","position":8}]},{"provider":"google_aio","run":1,"model":"google_aio","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"Teladoc Health is the largest and most widely used overall telehealth service in the United States for general medical care and 24/7 virtual urgent visits.\n\nChoosing the best telehealth service depends heavily on what type of care you need. Top brands and platforms used across the U.S. excel in different areas:\n\nGeneral Medical & Urgent Care\n\nTeladoc Health: Best for 24/7 on-demand general medical care, minor illnesses (like sinus infections or flu), and broad insurance compatibility .\nDoctor on Demand : Highly rated for letting patients choose their specific board-certified doctors and for same-day appointments covered by major insurance.\n: Best overall cash-pay option for affordable, transparent upfront pricing without needing health insurance.\n\nMental Health & Therapy\n\n: The most popular platform for flexible therapy, offering communication through live video, phone calls, and continuous text messaging.\n: Widely used for online therapy and psychiatry, often integrated into major employer health plans and insurance networks.\n\nSpecialized & Lifestyle Care\n\n: Popular for fast, affordable virtual primary care and prescription management with short wait times.\nHims & Hers : The leading direct-to-consumer brand for specific lifestyle and wellness needs, including hair loss, skincare, sexual health, and mild mental health support.\n\nIf you'd like, let me know:\n\nWhat specific medical concern or symptom you are looking to treat\nWhether you plan to use health insurance or pay out-of-pocket\n\nI can help you narrow down the best platform for your exact situation.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladochealth.com","position":1},{"name":"Doctor on Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":2},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":"hims.com","position":3}]},{"provider":"grok","run":1,"model":"grok-4.3","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"**The top telehealth services widely used in the US (as of 2026) include Teladoc Health, MDLIVE, Amwell, Sesame Care, and PlushCare, along with niche or integrated options like Amazon Clinic, Doctor on Demand (via Included Health), and pharmacy-linked services (e.g., CVS Virtual Care).**[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[2]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-apps-2026/)\n\nThese stand out due to large user bases (especially via employer/insurance benefits), high visibility in reviews and rankings, market presence, and patient satisfaction data. Teladoc is frequently noted as the largest pure-play provider with the broadest reach.[[3]](https://builtin.com/articles/telemedicine-companies)[[4]](https://www.healthcarewebwire.com/u-s-telehealth-companies-ranked-by-market-share-2024/) Many Americans access these through insurance or employer plans (often at low or $0 copays), while cash-pay options like Sesame appeal for transparency and affordability without coverage.\n\n### Key Recommendations by Use Case\nHere’s a breakdown of the most popular and highly rated options based on recent comparisons, insurance integration, costs, wait times, and user feedback:\n\n- **Teladoc Health** — Best overall for most people, especially with insurance or employer benefits. It offers 24/7 urgent/primary care, mental health, dermatology, chronic care management, and more across all 50 states. It has one of the widest insurance networks (hundreds of plans, tens of millions of members) and fast waits (often under 10 minutes for urgent care). Cash prices are typically around $75–$95 per visit without coverage. It ranks highly in satisfaction studies and market leadership.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[2]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-apps-2026/)[[2]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-apps-2026/)\n\n- **MDLIVE** — Strong for 24/7 urgent care, behavioral/mental health (therapy + psychiatry), dermatology, and primary care. It has broad insurance acceptance (e.g., Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross plans) and is popular through employer plans. Cash visits often run $82+. It’s praised for comprehensive services and round-the-clock access.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[2]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-apps-2026/)\n\n- **Amwell** — Good for specialists, mental health/psychiatry, and integration with health systems or employers. It supports urgent care, primary care, and a range of specialties. Insurance coverage is common; cash prices start around $69–$109+ depending on the service. It performs well in enterprise and specialty contexts.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[5]](https://www.selecthub.com/c/telehealth-platforms/)\n\n- **Sesame Care** — Best transparent cash-pay option (no insurance required). It’s a marketplace for video visits with upfront pricing, often $29–$99 per visit (sometimes lower with membership). Ideal for affordable self-pay urgent/primary care or when avoiding insurance hassles. It frequently tops “best value” lists for uninsured users.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)[[6]](https://subrupt.com/best/telehealth)\n\n- **PlushCare** — Excellent for ongoing/virtual primary care relationships, with membership options (~$17/month) plus visits. It accepts major insurers (UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, Humana) in-network and supports labs/prescriptions. Popular for longitudinal care rather than one-off visits.[[6]](https://subrupt.com/best/telehealth)\n\n**Other notable mentions**:\n- **Doctor on Demand** (Included Health): High patient satisfaction scores; good for continuity and employer plans.[[7]](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/telehealth/top-10-telehealth-platforms/)\n- **Amazon Clinic**: Quick messaging-based consults for simple issues, with pharmacy tie-ins; competitive cash pricing.[[1]](https://dailygenius.com/health/best-telehealth-services-2026/)\n- **Niche/specialty**: Hims & Hers or Ro for men’s/women’s health, weight loss, or subscriptions; Brightside or dedicated platforms for mental health focus; GoodRx Care or CVS for low-cost refills/prescriptions.[[6]](https://subrupt.com/best/telehealth)\n\n### Quick Comparison Factors\n- **Insurance/Employer Coverage**: Teladoc, MDLIVE, and Amwell dominate here—check your plan first, as many offer $0 copays.\n- **Cash-Pay Affordability**: Sesame leads for transparency and low prices; others range $75–$130+ per visit.\n- **Speed/Access**: Most offer on-demand or same-day; Teladoc often fastest for urgent needs.\n- **Satisfaction**: J.D. Power data (recent cycles) highlights strong scores for Doctor on Demand, Teladoc, and others in convenience/trust.[[8]](https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-telehealth-satisfaction-study/)\n- **Limitations**: Availability can vary by state/specialty (controlled substances have extra rules); quality is generally high but can feel rushed at scale on big platforms. Mental health telehealth remains very popular and stable.[[9]](https://www.ajmc.com/view/telemental-health-now-serves-1-in-4-outpatients)\n\n**Tips for choosing and using**: Start by logging into your insurance portal or employer benefits site to see covered options (this is how most people access these services at low cost). Compare based on your needs (e.g., one-time urgent care vs. ongoing primary/mental health). All major ones are HIPAA-compliant and available nationwide. Verify current pricing, wait times, and provider availability directly on the apps/websites, as they fluctuate. For the latest user experiences, check recent reviews on sites like J.D. Power or consumer reports.\n\nTelehealth has stabilized post-pandemic as a convenient complement to in-person care, with strong adoption for mental health and routine needs.[[10]](https://www.healthcapital.com/hcc/newsletter/02_26/HTML/TELE/hcc_telehealth_utilization.php) If you have specific needs (e.g., mental health, a certain condition, or insurance details), provide more info for tailored suggestions! Always consult a licensed provider for medical advice.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"MDLIVE","domain":"mdlive.com","position":2},{"name":"Amwell","domain":"amwell.com","position":3},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":null,"position":4},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":5},{"name":"Doctor on Demand","domain":"includedhealth.com","position":6},{"name":"Amazon Clinic","domain":null,"position":7},{"name":"CVS Virtual Care","domain":"cvs.com","position":8},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":"himshers.com","position":9},{"name":"Ro","domain":null,"position":10},{"name":"Brightside","domain":null,"position":11},{"name":"GoodRx Care","domain":"goodrx.com","position":12}]},{"provider":"openai","run":1,"model":"gpt-5.5-2026-04-23","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"As of **October 2026**, my practical U.S. shortlist is:\n\n## Quick recommendation\n\n| Best for | Pick | Why |\n|---|---|---|\n| **Most people with insurance/employer coverage** | **Teladoc Health** | Big, widely offered through health plans/employers; strong for urgent care, dermatology, mental health, chronic-care add-ons. Teladoc projected about **98.5–100.5 million U.S. Integrated Care members** for 2026, which is a strong signal of real-world usage. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1477449/000147744926000036/tdoc-20260630xexx991.htm)) |\n| **Cigna/Evernorth members or employer benefits** | **MDLIVE by Evernorth** | Very widely embedded in benefits; MDLIVE reports **53M members**, 2,000+ providers, urgent care, primary care, behavioral health, dermatology. ([evernorth.com](https://www.evernorth.com/our-solutions/mdlive?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Cash-pay / no insurance / transparent pricing** | **Sesame Care** | Marketplace-style telehealth with upfront prices, no insurance needed, and visits advertised “from $37.” Good for simple urgent-care issues, refills, labs, imaging referrals in many states. ([sesamecare.com](https://sesamecare.com/service/telehealth-visit?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Ongoing virtual primary care** | **PlushCare** | Better if you want repeat visits, same/next-day primary-care style appointments, prescription refills, and insurance support; Medicaid generally not accepted. ([plushcare.com](https://plushcare.com/primary-care?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Hybrid online + in-person primary care** | **Amazon One Medical** | Good if you’re a Prime user or live near One Medical offices; offers membership-based primary care plus pay-per-visit telehealth for common conditions. Amazon says Prime members can get One Medical membership for **$9/month or $99/year**; One Medical membership/on-demand care is not billed to insurance. ([aboutamazon.com](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/introducing-amazon-one-medical?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Flexible urgent + mental health visits** | **Doctor On Demand by Included Health** | No membership fee; used through many employer/plan benefits; offers urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, and sometimes primary care. ([doctorondemand.com](https://doctorondemand.com/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **If your health plan points you there** | **Amwell** | Often white-labeled through insurers/health systems; good for urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, women’s health, pediatrics; no membership model. ([patients.amwell.com](https://patients.amwell.com/how-it-works/insurance-coverage?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Mental health with insurance** | **Talkspace** | Best-known therapy/psychiatry platform that works with many major insurers, EAPs, employers, and Medicare-related coverage. ([talkspace.com](https://www.talkspace.com/coverage/insurance?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Finding an in-network virtual doctor** | **Zocdoc** | Not a telehealth provider itself, but useful for booking local doctors who offer video visits and take your insurance. |\n\n## My ranked “top brands people actually use”\n\n### 1. **Teladoc Health**\nBest default if it’s offered through your employer, insurer, or benefits portal. It’s especially strong for **one-off urgent care**, dermatology, mental health, second opinions, chronic-care programs, and general medical visits. Teladoc is also one of the few virtual-care companies with massive reported U.S. access: its 2026 outlook listed **98.5–100.5M U.S. Integrated Care members**. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1477449/000147744926000036/tdoc-20260630xexx991.htm))\n\n### 2. **MDLIVE by Evernorth**\nA very strong pick if you have **Cigna/Evernorth** or an employer plan that includes it. It covers urgent care, virtual primary care, behavioral health, and dermatology; MDLIVE says it has **53M members** and a national provider network. ([evernorth.com](https://www.evernorth.com/our-solutions/mdlive?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 3. **Sesame Care**\nBest for people who are uninsured, underinsured, on a high-deductible plan, or just want to know the price before booking. Sesame is direct-pay and advertises **no insurance needed**, no membership required, and telehealth visits starting around **$37**; Healthline also named Sesame its 2026 “best overall” telehealth pick. ([sesamecare.com](https://sesamecare.com/service/telehealth-visit?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 4. **PlushCare**\nA good option for people who want **virtual primary care**, recurring visits, and prescription refills rather than a one-time “urgent care” model. PlushCare works with many major insurers, does not require insurance, and positions itself around ongoing primary-care-style video visits. ([plushcare.com](https://plushcare.com/primary-care?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 5. **Amazon One Medical**\nBest if you like Amazon’s ecosystem, are a Prime member, want both **telehealth and in-person primary care**, or live near a One Medical office. Amazon One Medical offers pay-per-visit telehealth for common conditions and a membership model for ongoing primary care; the Prime member price is listed as **$9/month or $99/year**. Note: Amazon says One Medical membership and on-demand care are not billed to insurance, though prescriptions may still be covered separately. ([aboutamazon.com](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/introducing-amazon-one-medical?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 6. **Amwell**\nGood when it’s the platform your insurer or health system already uses. Amwell is strong for urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, pediatrics, women’s health, and general medical visits. Healthline selected Amwell as its 2026 “best for mental health” telehealth company, while Innerbody called it a runner-up for one-off immediate care. ([healthline.com](https://www.healthline.com/health/best-telemedicine-companies))\n\n### 7. **Doctor On Demand by Included Health**\nGood for people who want to choose between **walk-in-style visits and scheduled appointments**, especially if it’s covered through their employer or insurer. It covers urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, chronic-condition support, and sometimes primary care; Doctor On Demand says there is no membership fee. ([doctorondemand.com](https://doctorondemand.com/?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 8. **Talkspace**\nBest mental-health-specific pick if you want therapy or psychiatry and hope to use insurance. Talkspace says it partners with many major U.S. insurers and accepts coverage through health plans, employers, EAPs, and out-of-pocket payment. ([talkspace.com](https://www.talkspace.com/coverage/insurance?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 9. **Zocdoc**\nUse this when you want a **real local doctor or specialist**—not a national telehealth doctor pool—and want to filter by insurance, specialty, and video availability. It’s especially useful for dermatology, psychiatry, primary care, OB-GYN, and specialist appointments where continuity matters.\n\n### 10. **GoodRx Care / Lemonaid / Hims & Hers**\nThese are not the best general-purpose “doctor visit” platforms, but they’re useful for **specific routine needs**: birth control, acne, hair loss, ED, migraine, allergies, UTIs, smoking cessation, simple refills, and medication delivery. I’d treat them as **condition-specific telehealth**, not as a primary-care replacement.\n\n## How I’d choose\n\n- **Have insurance?** Start with your insurer/employer portal. Your cheapest option is often **Teladoc, MDLIVE, Amwell, or Doctor On Demand** through your plan.\n- **No insurance or high deductible?** Start with **Sesame** or **Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit** for simple problems.\n- **Need ongoing primary care?** Look at **PlushCare** or **Amazon One Medical**.\n- **Need therapy/psychiatry?** Check **Talkspace**, **Amwell**, **Doctor On Demand**, **Teladoc/BetterHelp**, or your insurer’s behavioral-health network.\n- **Need a specialist or continuity with a local doctor?** Use **Zocdoc** or your health system’s patient portal.\n\n## Important caveats\n\nTelehealth is best for **non-emergency** issues: cold/flu symptoms, sinus infections, UTIs, rashes, allergies, pink eye, medication refills, therapy, mild dermatology, and routine follow-ups. It is **not** appropriate for chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe shortness of breath, major injuries, severe abdominal pain, suicidal intent, or anything that needs a physical exam, imaging, labs immediately, or emergency care.\n\nAlso, telehealth privacy varies by company. For mental health in particular, read the privacy policy and insurance billing details; for example, the FTC finalized an order in 2023 requiring BetterHelp to pay **$7.8M** and restricting its sharing of sensitive health data for advertising. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2023169-betterhelp-inc-matter?utm_source=openai))","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc Health","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"MDLIVE by Evernorth","domain":"evernorth.com","position":2},{"name":"Sesame Care","domain":"sesamecare.com","position":3},{"name":"PlushCare","domain":"plushcare.com","position":4},{"name":"Amazon One Medical","domain":null,"position":5},{"name":"Doctor On Demand by Included Health","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":6},{"name":"Amwell","domain":null,"position":7},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":"talkspace.com","position":8},{"name":"Zocdoc","domain":null,"position":9},{"name":"GoodRx Care","domain":null,"position":10},{"name":"Lemonaid","domain":null,"position":10},{"name":"Hims & Hers","domain":null,"position":10}]},{"provider":"perplexity","run":1,"model":"sonar","capturedAt":"2026-10-03T04:53:59.300Z","text":"If you want the **best telehealth brands people in the U.S. actually use**, the strongest widely used names are **Teladoc**, **Amwell**, **Doctor On Demand**, **Sesame**, **One Medical**, **Talkspace**, **BetterHelp**, **Nurx**, and **Brightside**.[2][3][7][13][16][18]\n\nHere’s the most practical way to think about the top options:\n\n- **Best overall for broad medical telehealth: Teladoc** — widely used for general medical care and virtual visits, and it is frequently included in top telemedicine company roundups.[3][16]\n- **Best for affordable urgent care: Sesame** — often highlighted for low-cost, cash-pay virtual visits and urgent care needs.[1][2]\n- **Best for primary care and ongoing care: One Medical** — a strong choice if you want virtual care tied to a primary care model.[8]\n- **Best for standard on-demand doctor visits: Doctor On Demand** — offers urgent care and mental health services, with a clear consumer-facing telehealth offering.[7][8][13]\n- **Best for online therapy: BetterHelp** — one of the most recognizable therapy platforms, especially for messaging and live counseling.[17][20]\n- **Best for therapy with insurance options: Talkspace** — commonly recommended for insurance-based online therapy and psychiatry.[18][19]\n- **Best for psychiatry/med management: Brightside** — often singled out for anxiety/depression-focused online psychiatry.[16]\n- **Best for women’s health and birth control: Nurx** — frequently listed as a top telehealth option for contraception and related care.[1]\n- **Best for low-cost access without insurance: GoodRx telehealth-style options and Sesame** — GoodRx notes many telehealth services use low-cost flat-rate pricing, which can be attractive if you’re paying out of pocket.[15][1][11]\n\nIf you want a simple shortlist by use case, I’d recommend:\n\n- **General doctor visit:** Teladoc or Doctor On Demand[3][7][13]\n- **Cheapest urgent care:** Sesame[1][2]\n- **Primary care / ongoing relationship:** One Medical[8]\n- **Therapy:** BetterHelp or Talkspace[17][18][19]\n- **Psychiatry:** Brightside or Teladoc[16]\n- **Birth control / women’s health:** Nurx[1]\n\nA couple of important notes:\n- Many telehealth services differ by **insurance acceptance**, **state availability**, and whether you need **urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, or primary care**.[2][3][15][18]\n- “Best” depends a lot on your goal: some platforms are strongest for **fast same-day visits**, while others are better for **ongoing care** or **mental health**.[4][7][16]\n\nIf you want, I can turn this into a **ranked top 5** for either **cheap urgent care**, **primary care**, or **mental health**.","extractedBrands":[{"name":"Teladoc","domain":"teladoc.com","position":1},{"name":"Amwell","domain":null,"position":2},{"name":"Doctor On Demand","domain":"doctorondemand.com","position":3},{"name":"Sesame","domain":null,"position":4},{"name":"One Medical","domain":null,"position":5},{"name":"Talkspace","domain":null,"position":6},{"name":"BetterHelp","domain":null,"position":7},{"name":"Nurx","domain":null,"position":8},{"name":"Brightside","domain":null,"position":9},{"name":"GoodRx","domain":"goodrx.com","position":10}]}]}