What a telehealth subscription actually is
A telehealth subscription is a monthly or annual membership that lets you see a doctor, nurse, or therapist over video, phone, or messaging without going to an office. You pay a flat fee upfront—usually $10 to $50 per month—and then either see providers at no extra cost or pay a smaller per-visit fee on top. The subscription covers the platform itself: the app, the scheduling system, and access to the network of doctors who participate.
This is different from your regular health insurance. Your insurance pays for in-person visits and hospital care. A telehealth subscription is something you buy separately, usually for routine problems that don't need an exam: a sore throat, a rash, a prescription refill, anxiety, or birth control. Some people use it as a faster alternative to urgent care. Others use it because they live far from a doctor or because their insurance has a high deductible and they want to avoid big bills.
Key Takeaways
- Telehealth subscriptions cost $10 to $50 per month and let you see doctors by video or phone, usually within hours or a day.
- Most subscriptions cover routine problems like colds, rashes, and prescription refills, but not emergencies or conditions that need a physical exam.
- Some subscriptions include unlimited visits for one flat fee; others charge per visit on top of the membership.
- Your health insurance may not cover telehealth visits through a subscription service, so you pay out of pocket.
- Telehealth doctors cannot prescribe controlled substances like opioids or stimulants in most states, and they cannot order imaging or lab work in some cases.
How the pricing works
Telehealth companies use two main pricing models. The first is unlimited visits for a flat monthly fee—you pay $20 or $30 a month and can see a provider as many times as you want with no extra charge. Companies like Ro, Amazon Care (now closed), and some regional services use this model. The second is pay-per-visit with optional membership—you pay $5 to $15 per visit, or you can buy a monthly pass for $30 to $50 that reduces the per-visit cost or waives it entirely.
Most subscriptions do not include prescription costs. If a doctor prescribes antibiotics or birth control, you pay the pharmacy separately—usually $5 to $30 depending on your insurance and the drug. Some telehealth companies partner with pharmacies to offer discounts, but this is not the same as insurance coverage. If you have health insurance, your telehealth visit may not be covered by it, meaning you pay the subscription fee and the prescription cost out of pocket.
A few employers and health insurance plans now cover telehealth visits as part of the plan, so the subscription is free or heavily discounted to you. Check your insurance card or call the number on the back to ask whether telehealth is included.
What telehealth can and cannot treat
Telehealth works well for problems a doctor can diagnose by talking to you and looking at your throat or skin on camera. Common uses include cold and flu symptoms, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, acne, eczema, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and prescription refills for medications you have taken before. Many telehealth services also offer birth control, allergy medication, and treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Telehealth cannot handle emergencies—chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or thoughts of suicide require a 911 call or emergency room visit. It also cannot replace a physical exam for conditions that need one: a doctor cannot diagnose appendicitis or a broken bone over video. Some telehealth providers cannot order blood tests or imaging, and most cannot prescribe opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants due to state and federal rules.
If a telehealth doctor thinks you need an in-person exam or emergency care, they will tell you to see a local doctor or go to the ER. This is a safety measure, not a limitation of the service.
How to choose a telehealth subscription
Start by deciding what you need. If you want to see the same doctor regularly for mental health care, look for services that let you pick a specific therapist and schedule recurring visits—companies like Talkspace and BetterHelp focus on this. If you want quick visits for acute problems, choose a service with short wait times and a large network of doctors. Check the company's website for average wait times; many advertise "same-day" or "within 2 hours."
Next, compare pricing. Add up the monthly cost plus the average per-visit fee if there is one, then multiply by how many times you think you will use it in a year. A $30 monthly subscription makes sense if you will use it at least twice a month; otherwise, pay-per-visit may be cheaper. Read the fine print about what is included: some subscriptions cover mental health visits but not primary care, or vice versa.
Check whether the service is available in your state. Telehealth laws vary by state, and some services do not operate in all 50 states. Look at user reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot or Google Reviews, not just the company's own testimonials. Pay attention to complaints about wait times, prescription denials, and whether doctors actually listen.
What happens during a telehealth visit
After you sign up and read the app, you create a profile with your medical history, current medications, and insurance information. When you book a visit, you choose a time slot and a provider if the service lets you. At the appointment time, you open the app and click to start the video call. The doctor appears on screen and asks about your symptoms, just like an in-person visit but without the waiting room.
The visit usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes. If the doctor thinks you need a prescription, they send it electronically to a pharmacy you choose—often within minutes. If they think you need an in-person exam or lab work, they will refer you to a local doctor or urgent care. After the visit, you get a summary of what was discussed and any instructions in the app.
Some services let you message a doctor between visits for follow-up questions. This is usually included in the subscription, though response times vary from a few hours to a day.
Telehealth versus urgent care and your regular doctor
Telehealth is faster and cheaper than urgent care for straightforward problems. An urgent care visit costs $100 to $300 out of pocket even with insurance, and you have to drive there and wait. A telehealth visit costs $20 to $50 and takes 10 minutes from your couch. However, urgent care can do things telehealth cannot: take blood pressure, do a throat culture, give a shot, or order an X-ray on the spot.
Your regular doctor knows your full medical history and can coordinate your care over time. Telehealth doctors see you once and have only what you tell them. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease, your regular doctor is the right person to manage it. Telehealth is best for one-off problems or for people without a regular doctor.
Some people use telehealth as a bridge: they see a telehealth doctor for a quick diagnosis, then follow up with their regular doctor if needed. Others use it because they do not have a regular doctor and cannot get an appointment. Neither approach is wrong; it depends on your situation.
Privacy and data security
Telehealth companies must follow the same privacy laws as in-person doctors: HIPAA, which protects your medical information. This means your visit notes, prescriptions, and health history are encrypted and not sold to advertisers. However, the company can use your data for its own business purposes—improving the app, training doctors, or analyzing trends—as long as it is de-identified (your name removed).
Before you sign up, read the privacy policy. Look for whether the company uses end-to-end encryption for video calls, whether it stores your data in the US or overseas, and what happens to your data if the company is bought by another company. Some telehealth services are owned by larger health companies or insurance firms; others are independent startups. Neither is inherently safer, but the privacy policy tells you what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my health insurance cover a telehealth subscription?
Most health insurance plans do not cover standalone telehealth subscriptions. However, many plans now cover telehealth visits through their own network or through partners. Call your insurance company or check your plan documents to ask. Some employers offer telehealth subscriptions as a free or discounted benefit; ask your HR department.
Can a telehealth doctor prescribe antibiotics or pain medication?
Yes to antibiotics. Most telehealth doctors can prescribe common antibiotics for infections. No to most pain medication: they cannot prescribe opioids like hydrocodone or morphine in most states. They can prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and some can prescribe muscle relaxers or topical creams. Ask the service what it can and cannot prescribe before you book.
What if the telehealth doctor thinks I need to see someone in person?
The doctor will refer you to an urgent care, emergency room, or your regular doctor depending on how urgent it is. You then have to find and pay for that visit separately. This is not a failure of telehealth; it is the doctor being safe. If you think you might need in-person care, urgent care or your regular doctor may be a better first choice.
Can I use telehealth if I do not have a regular doctor?
Yes. Telehealth is designed for people without a regular doctor or for people who cannot get an appointment quickly. However, telehealth is not a substitute for ongoing care. If you have a chronic condition or take multiple medications, you should eventually see a regular doctor who knows your full history.
How long does it take to get a prescription after a telehealth visit?
Most telehealth doctors send prescriptions to the pharmacy within minutes to a few hours. The pharmacy then fills it, which usually takes a few hours to a day depending on the drug and the pharmacy's workload. If you need medication urgently, ask the telehealth service whether it can send the prescription to a pharmacy near you that has fast turnaround.