Alternatives to Plushcare
Nowadays, there are many innovative ways to access healthcare services, both in person and through telemedicine. Plushcare is an app-based platform that provides members instant access to medical professionals for non-urgent and chronic conditions and everyday care for $14.99 a month. Pushcare can be a great add-on option for someone with a traditional health plan, and is looking for more robust telemedicine services. This article will discuss the features and cost of Plushcare and how it compares to Mira’s services.
About Plushcare
Plushcare is a virtual app and web-based platform that allows members to make appointments with physicians and receive instant care via video chat. Plushcare aims to provide members with high-quality care from the comfort of their homes by only allowing physicians from the top 50 institutions to operate on their platform.
Plushcare doctors can diagnose, recommend treatment, and prescribe medications for non-emergency medical issues, routine care, and chronic ongoing conditions. The chart below shows some of the conditions included in PlushCare services.
Conditions That Plushcare Treats
| Non-Urgent Conditions | Chronic Conditions | Everyday Care |
|---|---|---|
| Cold | Diabetes | PrEp |
| Flu | Hypertension | Birth Control |
| Urinary Tract Infections | Asthma | Hair Loss |
| Sinus Infections | Depression | Prescription Refills |
| Pink Eye | Anxiety | Online Therapy |
| Bacterial Infections | Thyroid Disorders | Mental Health |
| STDs | ||
| Sore Throat | ||
| Bacterial Vaginosis |
Cost
Plushcare is a membership-based service that provides all members unlimited in-app messaging with the care team. Giving support before, after, and in between visits. Along with billing specialists and online same-day appointment booking.
Plushcare breaks its membership down into two options: Insured and Uninsured. Insured planning is for individuals with health insurance through the marketplace, employer-based plans, or other public options. In contrast, the uninsured plan is for individuals without additional insurance coverage. Both plans are similar in features and what the plan covers, but varies in price and out-of-pocket cost. The chart below provides a comparison of the two plans.
Cost of Plushcare Plans
| Insured Plan | Uninsured Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Membership Cost | $14.99 per month OR $99.99 per year | $14.99 per month OR $99.99 per year |
| First Visit Cost | Your Insurance Copay | $129 |
| Follow-Up Visit Cost | Your Insurance Copay | $69 |
| Plan Features |
|
|
Get Mira - Health Benefits You Can Afford.
Get doctor visits, lab tests, prescription, and more. Affordable copays. Available in 45+ states. Only $45/month on average.
Additional Cost: Online Therapy and Virtual Counseling
Plushcare also offers additional online therapy and virtual counseling. Licensed therapists through the Plushcare platform can also provide prescription medications for mental health management. Through Plushcare, members can book a free 15-minute consultation with a therapist. Weekly sessions after the consultation are $149 or $169 for a single session.
Comparison: Plushcare vs. Mira
Mira and Plushcare are both healthcare subscriptions that allow members to pay a fee to access healthcare services. However, Mira and Plushcare differ in monthly cost, provided services, care coverage, and where you can access care. The chart below compares the differences between Mira and Plushcare:
Plushcare vs. Mira
| Plan | Services Offered | Locations | Price | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mira |
| Over 1,100 clinics
Virtual care in all 50 states and in-person care in 45+ states
| Average of a month $25-$60 based on the plan | App and personalized user health hub
Member care team assists in helping you find services and providers near you |
| Plushcare |
| Available and all 50 states | $14.99 per month or $99 per year + Copay for visits | App
Care team chat via the app |
Cost
With Plushcare, you pay $14.99 per month or $99 per year in addition to your copay or out-of-pocket amount for all of your physician visits. If you’re worried about surprise costs or additional copays for your care, with a Mira membership, your plan has a copay that stays the same every time. For example, the copay you would pay at each visit would be $49 or $99, depending on the plan you select.
Virtual care for only $25 per visit
Virtual primary care, urgent care, and behavioral health visits are only $25 with a Mira membership.
Services Included
Mira provides members with access to comprehensive care and providers. With both virtual and in-person care, Mira members have access to urgent care, lab testing, and discounted prescriptions. Additionally, Mira’s plan provides lifestyle and wellness benefits, such as discount gym members and low-cost mental health services. With Plushcare, you have access to non-urgent and chronic conditions and everyday care management strictly through video chat.
Locations
Both Mira and Plushcare offer virtual care in all 50 states. However, Plushcare does not include the option to visit a doctor in person. With Mira, members have the option to utilize virtual care or access in-person care at clinics across 45 states.
Mental Health Services
Both Mira and Plushcare offer virtual behavioral and mental health services as plan add-ons at an extra cost. With Plushcare, you can access mental health services for $149 for weekly sessions or $169 for a single session. Mira members get access to mental health services for just $25 per session in addition to their membership plan.
Bottom Line
Plushcare is an innovative approach to virtual care and telemedicine and allows individuals to build upon their traditional health insurance and increase access to care. Plushcare is a great option for someone who does not need a comprehensive health plan or subscription, the cost to access full benefits and mental health services is high.
Mira, however, gives you the best of both worlds; low-cost subscription plans, comprehensive health services, in-person, and virtual appointments, and accessible physicians nationwide. Additionally, Mira’s care team has a dedicated white-glove level of services and is available to assist you in finding the right services or providers. If you are looking for a way to save money without sacrificing high-quality and accessible healthcare, Mira might be right for you. Learn more.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Alexandra is currently getting her Master's in Public Health with a health policy certificate at Columbia University. One of her life goals is to own her own art gallery!
