The Best Telemedicine Apps
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- Best overall: MDLIVE
- Best for prescription delivery: Lemonaid
- Best for budget: LiveHealth
- Best for all-around medical care: PlushCare
- Best for It is easy to use.: Doctor on Demand
- Best for on-demand care: Amwell
- Best for therapy: Talkspace
- Best for specialists: Teladoc
- Best for Blue Cross members: BCBSM Online
- Best for working with your regular doctor: Spruce
“You need to see a doctor but can’t find the time to do it, or you’re in a location that makes it difficult Sound familiar? Telemedicine may be the answer for non emergency concerns.”
Telemedicine apps allow you to receive healthcare services from a doctor without going to their office. We searched for the best telemedicine apps that were rated high in user ratings, quality and reliability.
Telemedicine is a way to get healthcare appointments with doctors, psychiatrists, or nurses on the internet. These appointments are usually video calls through an app or platform.
- Online chat.
- Email support.
- Telephone calls.
Telemedicine is not to replace clinic visits with a doctor. They should complement regular healthcare. People may use telepresence.
- If you need a physical appointment, talk to a doctor.
- Request or renew a prescription.
- Minor health conditions should be assessed and treated.
- Access therapy and other mental health services.
Additionally, many telemedicine apps are making strides to become primary care providers for folks rather than just acute visits.
Telemedicine can provide benefits over traditional doctor visits.
People who work full time may appreciate being able to schedule appointments with doctors outside of business hours. It may be more convenient for people with children who need to find sitters.
Telemedicine improves access to care for people living in isolated areas. It can be helpful for people who frequently travel and for people who forget their medication.
There is no need for travel, which can save time, money, stress, and frustration. It is more tempting to look for and attend a telemedicine appointment from the comfort of home.
Depending on your health insurance, a clinic visit may be more economical than a TelePresence.
“Telemedicine isn’t the ideal fit for everyone and it has some disadvantages.”
- Insurance coverage. Your insurance may not cover telemedicine appointments. It’s only a requirement for insurers to cover or reimburse telemedicine costs in 26 states. That said, laws change continually, and more states may require insurers to limit cost-sharing in the future.
- Internet access. You’ll need reliable internet and access to a computer or smartphone for your appointment. People living in areas with poor internet coverage may find telemedicine challenging.
- Data protection. If you access telemedicine through an unencrypted channel or on a public network, there’s a risk of hackers or others accessing your information unlawfully. Additionally, your data could become corrupt, compromised, or lost.
- Emergency care. Telemedicine isn’t suitable for emergency care or more serious mental health or physical conditions requiring a healthcare professional’s in-person assessment.
- Certain prescriptions can’t be filled. Some apps can’t prescribe or refill controlled substances or certain anxiety medications.
We chose the best apps for the situation.
- Customer reviews and ratings.
- price
- accessibility
- It is easy to use.
- They can help people who are uninsured if they accept insurance.
A note on price
“All of the apps in our list are free, meaning that you don’t have to pay to download them. Each app has its own fees for consultations, appointments, and other services, and some may have different prices.”
Best overall
MDLIVE
iPhone rating: 4.7 stars
Android rating: 4.6 stars
Insurance: MDLIVE accepts insurance. Depending on your policy, urgent care appointments are under $82, dermatology appointments are under $95, and psychiatry appointments are $284 or less.
MDLive allows you to connect to adult and child doctors and access behavioral health therapy services whenever you need them. MDLIVE is designed to give you quick and easy access to a doctor for non emergency issues when your primary care physician is unavailable.
MDLIVE doctors are board certified. Doctors need a state license to practice medicine. Board certification is an additional qualification that shows a doctor has gone above and beyond the required training and certification.
It takes 15 minutes to set up your secure account. You can schedule an appointment for a time that is convenient for you, or you can see a doctor right away.
Pros
- The doctors on the app can provide a variety of services.
- You can see doctors immediately.
Cons
- It takes a little while to set up an account.
Best for prescription delivery
Lemonaid
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 4.2 stars
Insurance: The Lemonaid mail-order pharmacy service does not take insurance. However, if you’d prefer to use your insurance coverage, you’ll need to confirm with your insurance provider and ask Lemonaid to send your meds to a local pharmacy.
The Lemonaid app can be used to get a diagnosis and receive treatment. You can get free, fast delivery from the Lemonaid Pharmacy if you pay a doctor consultation fee.
“Select a service and ask health questions. You can get a doctor’s review within 24 hours if you pay a fee, but you may need a brief video consultation in some states. You can get your prescription sent to a pharmacy or delivered to your door.”
Lemonaid doctors can prescribe a lot of different drugs.
“They don’t prescribe controlled substances and write prescriptions only when safe and appropriate because the services are online. If your doctor thinks you should see a healthcare professional in person, they will give you a refund.”
Pros
- Birth control and blood pressure management are some of the common medications that can be prescribed by doctors on the app.
- “You will get a doctor’s review within 24 hours.”
- If you need to see a doctor in person for a prescription, you will be able to get a refund.
Cons
- Doctors can only prescribe certain drugs through the online platform.
Best for budget
LiveHealth
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 4.5 stars
Insurance: LiveHealth accepts health insurance. If you don’t have a plan, visits cost $59 or $175 for an initial psychiatry appointment and $75 for follow-ups.
“LiveHealth has qualified doctors who can help you whenever you need them. You can choose the right doctor by signing up. You don’t need to make an appointment LiveHealth states that you can connect with a doctor through private and secure video in 10 minutes or less.”
The app has doctors who can provide care for a wide range of illnesses. The app has licensed therapists, lactation consultants, and other healthcare professionals.
Pros
- LiveHealth accepts insurance.
- “You don’t need to make appointments through the app, just sign in when you need care and you’ll be connected within 10 minutes.”
- Doctors can see you for a variety of conditions.
Cons
- “If you don’t have insurance, it’s expensive to go to the psychiatrists.”
Best for all-around medical care
PlushCare
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 4.8 stars
Insurance: PlushCare works with a number of insurance companies, including most Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of California, and United Health Care PPO plans. If you don’t have insurance, appointments are $119 plus $14.99 a month or $99 for an annual membership. If you don’t want to become a member, future visits are $59.
You can get prescriptions for a variety of conditions with PlushCare. Add insurance information, and you can get connected to a doctor or therapist.
“Antibiotics, birth control, blood pressure meds, and some mental health meds can be filled by PlushCare. They can’t prescribe or refill controlled substances.”
Pros
- The app offers services for a variety of conditions.
- You can get prescriptions for certain medications.
Cons
- The providers can not prescribe certain drugs.
Best for It is easy to use.
Doctor on Demand
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 3.7 stars
Insurance: Doctor on Demand works with many health insurers, and your costs vary by plan. Without insurance, you’ll pay:
- A $75 medical consultation.
- A 25-minute mental health consultation costs $129.
- A mental health consultation costs $179.
- $299 for an initial consultation with a Psychiatrist.
- $129 for follow-up appointments.
If you have insurance, you can get face-to-face appointments with a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist. The app has licensed physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists who can treat hundreds of issues online. Your doctor will discuss your history and symptoms with you.
Pros
- You can get appointments even if you have insurance.
- The providers can offer treatment for a lot of conditions.
Cons
- The service is expensive if you are seeking specialized care.
Best for on-demand care
Amwell
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 3.7 stars
Insurance: Amwell works with many insurance providers. Before insurance, Amwell services vary between $79 or less for urgent care and up to $279 for an online psychiatry visit.
Amwell offers quality medical care for conditions like flu, headaches, and strep throat. They provide a variety of services, including breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, and therapy.
Doctors are available around the clock once you enroll. You can schedule a convenient appointment or see a doctor quickly.
Pros
- Common conditions like headaches, strep, and cold sores can be seen.
- The service has support for breastfeeding, nutrition counseling, and mental health issues.
- Sometimes you can get an appointment within minutes.
Cons
- If you need psychiatric care, the service can be expensive.
Best for therapy
Talkspace
iPhone rating: 4.7 stars
Android rating: 2.5 stars
Insurance: According to Talkspace, 40 million people are covered for their services through insurance, but you should check with your insurance provider to confirm whether you’re covered.
Talkspace is an effective way to improve your mental health.
You can send unlimited text, audio, picture, or video messages to your therapist. You will hear back at least once a day, 5 days a week, but you may have to wait for a reply if you send messages at night. You may not always get replies 24/7. You can add live video sessions to their plans.
There are no contracts for the plans that cost between $260 and $396 per month. You can add the services for a fee of $199 for the initial evaluation and $125 for follow-ups.
Pros
- You can send your therapist unlimited text, audio, and video messages.
- The app accepts insurance.
- It is a convenient way to get mental health care.
Cons
- The app is expensive.
- The app only guarantees you will get a response daily, while you can message 24/7.
Best for specialists
Teladoc
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars
Android rating: 4.4 stars
Insurance:Teladoc accepts insurance. Your appointment cost depends on your coverage, and you can check after you create an account. Without insurance, medical visits are $75, and therapy visits are $0–$99. First-time psychiatry visits are $299, and follow-ups are $119.
Teladoc lets you talk with a variety of medical specialists using your existing healthcare plan, no matter what kind of medical issue you have or specialization you need. You can request a specialist and talk with your doctor over the phone or video. They can give expert medical advice and write prescriptions.
Pros
- You can speak with specialists in a variety of areas.
- Doctors can give medical advice.
- The app accepts insurance.
Cons
- Psychiatry visits are expensive without insurance.
Best for Blue Cross members
BCBSM Online
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 4.6 stars
insurance: This app is exclusively for people with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan healthcare coverage. Your costs depend on your plan.
“The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has an app that helps you see your doctor. It allows you to manage your health needs when you can’t get to the doctor. Ask your doctor to provide physical and mental health services for you and your child.”
Pros
- The app is free.
- “You can see doctors for your child’s health issues as well.”
Cons
- The app is only for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan members.
Best for working with your regular doctor
Spruce
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars
Android rating: 4.8 stars
Insurance: The costs depend on your doctor’s fees and your insurance.
“standard telemedicine services are not provided by the platform of Spruce. It is an app that gives healthcare professionals and patients a dashboard for keeping on top of medical needs even if they can’t get to the doctor’s office. Your doctor or clinic will most likely invite you to join the platform.”
Through the use of secure video, audio, and text messaging tools, Spruce protects your private medical information. It also offers the convenience of filling out health questionnaires or sending prewritten message templates to help address a variety of medical needs without leaving your home.
Pros
- The app allows you to stay in touch with your medical providers, which can potentially address a variety of medical questions without going into the office.
- You can fill out questionnaires before you get to the office.
Cons
- “The app doesn’t offer traditional services.”
| App | Accepts insurance | Formats |
| MDLIVE | yes | video |
| Lemonaid | no | video (as needed) |
| LiveHealth | yes | video |
| PlushCare | yes | video |
| Doctor on Demand | yes | video |
| Amwell | yes | video |
| Talkspace | yes | unlimited messages and options to add video appointments |
| Teladoc | yes | video or audio chat |
| BCBSM Online | yes | video |
| Spruce | yes | video, audio, and text messaging |
Can online doctors prescribe medication?
Online doctors can prescribe antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, and more. Adderall, narcotics, and certain psychiatric medications are not allowed to be prescribed by your online doctor.
If a doctor cannot help you with your online visit, they will give you a refunds. You can see a doctor in person if you want.
What happens if I need a blood or other lab test?
Telemedicine platforms can forward orders for everything from lab tests to diagnose and treat your medical condition.
You should check your insurance to make sure that it works with billing for these services, as you may need to use approved healthcare professionals and approved telemedicine platforms.
Are telemedicine doctors qualified?
Yes. Doctors who wish to practice medicine in the United States must have attended medical school and be licensed by the state licensing board where they are practicing. The patient must be located in the same state where the doctor is licensed to practice medicine. Licensing means you can trust the doctors who care for you.
Can I do telemedicine on my phone?
“Yes! We recommend most of the apps to work on the phones. You want to make sure that you have a stable connection so that the videos don’t lag or cut out.”
If you are speaking with a provider over audio, make sure you have good reception to avoid issues with the call dropping.
Are telehealth visits confidential?
“Don’t worry, you can keep information between you and your doctor during appointments. Private settings are where healthcare providers will usually call from.”
If you are worried about others listening in, you can take the appointment in a private space in your home, car, or outdoors. Regardless of where you meet with your provider, make sure you have a good connection and feel comfortable speaking openly.
If you want to get a quick, convenient, and cost-effective medical attention from your own home, telemedicine is a good option.
Online therapy can be good alternative to office appointments.
“Telemedicine is not suitable for emergencies and can’t replace standard hands-on care from a doctor. Think of it as a complement to your regular healthcare.”
Zia Sherrell is a health copywriter and digital health journalist with over a decade of experience covering diverse topics from public health to medical cannabis, nutrition, and biomedical science. Her mission is to empower and educate people by bringing health matters to life with engaging, evidence-based writing.
