Health Insurance

Are there Alternatives to K Health?

Kendra Bean
Kendra Bean12 Dec 2022

K Health is a popular healthcare subscription service offering text-based telehealth, among many other benefits. Alternatives to KHealth include Mira, Doctor on Demand, MD Live, and Plushcare. These alternatives vary in services they offer if they require a subscription and the availability and location of care. Affordable and high-quality health care is essential to everyone. These companies work towards bridging the gap between affordability and quality in healthcare.

What is K Health?

As mentioned above, K Health is a virtual healthcare platform that works toward providing its members with low-cost medical care. Its slogan is “Healthcare without the system,” highlighting the company’s increased autonomy to access health services and receive care. No insurance is necessary to sign up and use KHealth. Through memberships of $29/month, members have access to:

  • Unlimited text-based visits with board-certified clinicians
  • 24/7 Online Chatting with Physicians for Primary Care and Urgent Care
  • Free Pediatrics for kids ages 3-17
  • Easy prescription management and renewals

You need not be a K Health member to receive virtual care through the company. Without a membership, you can access a one-time visit, consisting of online chatting with a physician, that costs $35. This cost includes three days of follow-up but does not include any supplementary medical services such as labs, equipment, or the cost of medication. K Health also offers many beneficial health resources for free to anyone who comes across their site. These include:

Symptom Tracker

This feature allows you to check the symptoms you are experiencing against millions of medical records, providing evidence-based treatment suggestions and plans. The Symptom Tracker asks you to input basic demographics and describe the current symptoms you are experiencing. After which, you will receive personalized medical advice based on millions of similar diagnoses and treatment plans. This can be done online here or by downloading the K Health app. 

K Health created the Symptom Tracker to curtail the challenges and risks of self-diagnosis. The website states that this feature can help you decide if:

  • you should take over-the-counter meds or need a prescription
  • your kid has a standard cold or should see a pediatrician
  • your headache is just a headache
  • you can be treated remotely by a K-affiliated clinician
  • you should see someone in-person

The Second Opinion

The Second Opinion is a collection of regularly-updated health articles written by board-certified physicians. Topics range from men's health to pediatric care and everything in between. It is an excellent resource to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of a health topic from a reliable source. The page also features credible videos explaining various conditions and offers a weekly health newsletter you can sign up for.

Health Guides

The Health Guides offered by K Health are similar to the Second Opinion in that they provide credible health information written by board-certified physicians. However, the Health Guides listed are intended to be a resource for deciphering and treating specific conditions. The website contains an index of health guides about common symptoms, conditions, medications, and treatments you might be experiencing.

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Get doctor visits, lab tests, prescription, and more. Affordable copays. Available in 45+ states. Only $45/month on average.

KHealth Alternatives 

Many alternatives to K Health feature the same or similar services. Popular telemedicine healthcare subscriptions include Mira, Doctor on Demand, MD Live, and Plushcare.

Company

Services Offered

Price

Location and Accessibility 

K Health

Text-based telehealth

Discounted prescriptions

Mental Health Support


 

$35 for a once-off visit

$29/month for a subscription

24/7 virtual care in all 48 contiguous states
Mira

Preventative Care

Virtual care

Urgent care

Lab testing

Discounted prescriptions

Gym discounts

Mental health Support

Navigation referral for services not offered

$25 - $60 for a subscription based on plan type

Over 1,100 clinics

24/7 Virtual care in all 50 states

Doctor on Demand

Virtual Care

Urgent Care

Chat-Based Coaching

Mental health Support


 

$54 for 15 min consultation

*No subscription, pay per visit

24/7 Virtual care in all 50 states
MD Live

24/7 Virtual visits

Short-term prescription refills

Mental health support

Dermatology services

Price provided up front per service 

*No subscription, pay per visit

 

24/7 Virtual care in all 50 states
Plushcare

Virtual care

Behavioral Health

Prescription Management

$14/month for a subscription

$129 for the first visit, $69 for repeat visits

24/7 Virtual care in all 50 states

As the previous table shows, K Health has multiple alternatives depending on your health needs and budget. All of the companies listed above offer telehealth capabilities, which have increased in popularity over the years, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mira and K Health

Mira is an exceptionally budget-friendly alternative to health insurance. With Mira, doctor’s visits are billed at a flat rate of $49 to $99, depending on your plan. Mira and K Health harbor many similarities, such as discounted prescriptions, virtual care, and mental health support. However, Mira has partnerships with over 2,000 clinics across the United States where its members can receive selected services. Mira members can receive care at these locations, whereas K Health members receive care virtually exclusively. 

K Health Alternatives Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Consider this additional information when it comes to alternatives to K Health.

What Are The Benefits of Telehealth?

There are many pros and fewer cons to utilizing telemedicine. Pros include convenience and far-reaching access, whereas cons include lack of suitability for emergencies and necessary physical touch for some exams. Telehealth can not replace emergencies but can be extremely useful for seeking medical advice and treatment as soon as possible. 

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Virtual care for only $25 per visit

Virtual primary care, urgent care, and behavioral health visits are only $25 with a Mira membership.

Is One Healthcare Subscription Better Than the Rest?

There is no straightforward answer to this question as your healthcare needs may differ from those of the next person. One may require coverage that allows for in-person visits, whereas one may just be looking to be covered virtually. The same goes for if you need specific prescriptions, as subscribing to a company that gives a more significant discount on your prescription may be the best option. This article compares select companies’ health subscriptions and categorizes which company is best for particular situations (e.g., cost-effectiveness, mental health services, etc.)

Can I Pair My Current Insurance With a Healthcare Subscription?

Yes, you can! Healthcare subscriptions can be paired with individual insurance plans, employer-sponsored health insurance, and more. Mira recommends pairing a catastrophic health plan with its membership to ensure both preventive and emergency care are covered. You should always know what is covered under your chosen healthcare subscription so that you may supplement it with another insurance plan or subscription that covers what is missing. 

Bottom Line

Numerous healthcare subscriptions are available for you based on your health needs. K Health is a great health insurance alternative, but there are many other options, including Mira, Live MD, Doctor on Demand, Plushcare, and much more. Many of these healthcare models overlap with services offered and location capabilities, but there are many differences, including price range and accessibility. It is important to assess your individual needs and find healthcare coverage that matches them. 

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to health insurance, Mira might be a great fit. For an average of $45 per month, members get access to low-cost urgent care visits, affordable lab testing, and discounted prescriptions at up to 80% off. Sign up today to start saving!

Kendra Bean

Kendra Bean is from Maui, Hawaiʻi. She is currently enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, specializing in Epidemiology. She is passionate about improving health literacy and access to care, specifically in rural areas.