Telemedicine can be an affordable option if you don’t have health insurance. In many cases, paying out-of-pocket for a virtual visit costs far less than an urgent care or ER bill. Below is a comparison of leading telemedicine providers, plus some newer platforms serving uninsured patients. For each, you’ll find pricing, key features, and standout offerings, with direct links to sources.
Quick Comparison Table
| Service | Cost per Visit (General/Urgent Care) | Membership / Monthly Cost | Specialties Included | Unique Features | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoodRx Care | $19–$49 (varies by membership) | Optional: $9.99/month (Gold) | Primary Care, Preventive, Prescriptions | Same-day appts, ties to GoodRx prescription discounts | GoodRx Care |
| MDLive | $89 (General Medical) $95 (Derm) $179 (Therapy) $299 (Psychiatry) | None | Primary Care, Urgent Care, Derm, Therapy, Psychiatry | 24/7 on-demand, broad network, often used by major insurers | MDLive |
| Teladoc | $89 (General Medical) $119 (Therapy) $299 (Psych. initial) | None | Urgent Care, Primary Care, Nutrition, Mental Health | No time limit on visits, 24/7 availability, large clinician network | Teladoc |
| Amwell | $79 (Urgent Care) $99–$130 (Therapy) | None | Urgent Care, Women’s Health, Behavioral Health, more | Quick visits (< 10 mins wait), phone or video consults, 24/7 | Amwell |
| Doctor On Demand | $99 (15-minute Urgent Care) $129+ (Longer) | None | Urgent Care, Primary Care, Therapy, Psychiatry | Only board-certified MDs/DOs, choose favorite doctor for continuity | Doctor On Demand |
| Mira | $25 copay per visit (with membership) | ~$45/month | Virtual + In-person Primary Care, Urgent Care, Rx Discounts, Labs | Flat membership for multiple services, 2000+ clinic network | Mira |
| Sesame Care | $40–$70 (average range for general telehealth) | Optional: $10.99/month (Sesame Plus) | Urgent Care, Primary Care, Therapy, Psychiatry, Specialty | Marketplace model with up-front prices, can book in-person or virtual visits | Sesame Care |
| PlushCare | $129 initial, $99 follow-up visits (membership) | $19.99/month (membership) | Virtual Primary Care, Therapy, Rx, Weight Management | Ongoing virtual PCP relationship, board-certified physicians | PlushCare |
| HealthTap | $129 (no membership) $44 (with membership) | $15–$20/month (HealthTap Prime) | Primary Care, Urgent Care, Pediatrics, Basic Mental Health | 90,000+ doctor Q&A for free, choose your PCP, AI symptom checker | HealthTap |
| K Health | $35–$49 (one-time urgent care chat) | $49–$69/month (unlimited visits) | Primary Care, Urgent Care, Text-based Mental Health | Text-based, AI-driven symptom checker, unlimited chat with membership | K Health |
Established Telemedicine Services (No Insurance Needed)
GoodRx Care
GoodRx Care integrates telehealth with discount pharmacy services.
- Cost & Membership
- Pay $49 per visit if you’re not a GoodRx Gold member.
- With GoodRx Gold ($9.99/month individual; $19.99/month family), visits can drop to $19.
- Services
- General primary care, common conditions, birth control, UTI treatment, and ED treatment.
- Same-day appointments often available. Prescriptions can be sent to any pharmacy.
- Standout Features
- Ties seamlessly into GoodRx’s prescription discount platform, saving up to 80% on meds.
- High app ratings (5.0 on iOS, 4.9 on Google).
- Source: GoodRx Care
MDLive
MDLive offers a range of specialties, from urgent care to psychiatry.
- Cost
- $89 for a general medical visit.
- $95 for dermatology, $179 for therapy, $299 for psychiatry.
- Services
- 24/7 urgent care, dermatology (photo-based), therapy, psychiatry.
- Upfront pricing and easy to schedule.
- Standout Features
- MDLive’s network is used by many major insurers, so it’s well-established.
- Providers average 10+ years of experience.
- Source: MDLive
Teladoc
A pioneer in telehealth, Teladoc has expanded to broad services.
- Cost
- $89 for general medical, $119 for therapy, $299 for initial psychiatry.
- Services
- Urgent care, primary care, nutrition counseling, mental health.
- No time limit on appointments. Available 24/7, 365 days/year.
- Standout Features
- Large network of doctors nationwide.
- Known for quick connections (< 20 minutes).
- Source: Teladoc
Amwell
Amwell is known for transparent pricing and fast access.
- Cost
- $79 per urgent care visit, $99–$130 for therapy.
- Services
- Urgent care, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, nutrition.
- Phone or video options.
- Standout Features
- Often no appointment needed; connect in under 10 minutes.
- 24/7 availability.
- Source: Amwell
Doctor On Demand
Doctor On Demand uses only board-certified doctors (MD/DO).
- Cost
- $99 for a 15-minute urgent care session, $129+ for extended visits.
- Therapy starts around $134 for 25 minutes; $179 for 50 minutes.
- Services
- Urgent care, chronic care, mental health (therapy, psychiatry).
- 24/7, prescriptions to local pharmacy.
- Standout Features
- You can choose the same doctor for continuity.
- Highly rated (4.9 on iOS, 4.9 on Google).
- Source: Doctor On Demand
Mira
Mira is a membership-based platform offering both virtual and in-person care discounts.
- Cost & Membership
- Approximately $45/month membership.
- $25 copay per visit (telemedicine).
- $99 at in-person urgent care clinics.
- Services
- Virtual primary care, urgent care access (2000+ sites), labs (1600+ labs), plus Rx discounts (60,000 pharmacies).
- Covers preventive, chronic condition management, mental health, and more.
- Standout Features
- Mira functions like an alternative to insurance, bundling low-cost visits, labs, and prescriptions.
- Quick sign-up, no waiting period.
- Source: Mira
Newer Top-Rated Telemedicine Services for Uninsured Patients
Sesame Care
Sesame is an online marketplace for healthcare services with transparent pricing.
- Cost
- Often $40–$70 for a general telehealth visit (varies by provider).
- Specialist visits can be $80–$150.
- Membership
- Sesame Plus is $10.99/month ($99/year) for $10 off every visit + 1 free lab test/year.
- Services
- Wide range: urgent care, primary care, therapy, psychiatry, specialty consults, and in-person visits.
- Can filter providers by location, rating, and price.
- Standout Features
- Upfront pricing.
- Book same-day or next-day appointments, video or in-person.
- Source: Sesame Care
PlushCare
PlushCare resembles a virtual primary care practice.
- Cost
- $129 for the first visit, $99 for follow-ups (with membership).
- Membership
- PlushCare membership is $19.99/month (covers booking convenience, messaging, and discounted visits).
- Services
- Primary care, therapy, prescription refills, chronic condition management.
- Board-certified physicians, same or next-day availability.
- Standout Features
- Choose one doctor and stick with them for continuity.
- Emphasizes quality, thoroughness.
- Source: PlushCare
HealthTap
HealthTap focuses on affordable primary care via video or text.
- Cost
- $129 per video visit for non-members.
- $44 per video visit with HealthTap Prime ($15–$20/month).
- Services
- 24/7 primary care, urgent care, pediatrics, basic mental health support.
- Free Q&A with 90,000+ doctors plus AI symptom checker.
- Standout Features
- Ability to follow up with the same doctor as your PCP.
- Large free knowledge base for quick advice.
- Source: HealthTap
K Health
K Health uses AI-driven text-based chats with doctors.
- Cost
- $35–$49 for a single urgent care chat.
- $49–$69/month for unlimited memberships (including family or mental health).
- Services
- Urgent care, primary care, mental health (some medication management).
- 24/7 chat-based with photo upload.
- Standout Features
- AI symptom checker plus unlimited texting with docs under membership.
- Over 9 million users.
- Source: K Health
Telemedicine Services: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why should I use telemedicine?
Using telemedicine can lower healthcare costs, especially without insurance. You save on transportation, avoid long waits, and can often connect with a provider 24/7.
Other benefits:
- Less time off work
- On-demand availability
- Access to specialists who may not be in your local area
2. What exactly is telemedicine?
Telemedicine uses technology—like video, phone, or chat—to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients remotely. It’s essentially a virtual doctor’s visit.
3. How do I know if I should utilize telemedicine?
If you have non-emergency health concerns—like minor illnesses, infections, or mental health check-ins—telemedicine can be ideal. It’s cost-effective and convenient.
For hands-on procedures (e.g., vaccinations, pap smears, physical exams), in-person visits are necessary.
Bottom Line
Telemedicine offers an accessible, cost-effective way to see doctors without insurance. While pricing varies, it’s often far less expensive than brick-and-mortar clinics. The top services—including GoodRx Care, MDLive, Teladoc, Amwell, Doctor On Demand, Mira, and newer entrants like Sesame Care, PlushCare, HealthTap, and K Health—all provide a range of urgent care, primary care, and mental health solutions at transparent cash prices.
Choosing the right service depends on your specific needs, from low membership costs (Mira, K Health) to text-based convenience (K Health) or a consistent PCP (PlushCare). Evaluate whether you want pay-per-visit vs. membershipmodels, and consider the scope of services offered. With many platforms now offering 24/7 access, same-day appointments, and prescription discounts, telemedicine can be the best route for quick, affordable care—no insurance required.