The Best Online Doctors for a Telehealth Visit

(Ad) When you’re stuck at home with Covid symptoms or an uncomfortable rash, the last thing you want to do is sit in a doctor’s office.

These days, you can take your doctor visit online, with a video or phone consult with a licensed medical practitioner to help you assess and treat common medical conditions — all from home.

Online doctor visits are increasingly common, increasingly affordable, and increasingly useful. The best online doctor platform for your situation will have a variety of features that make diagnosis, treatment, and even ongoing management of health conditions accessible, simple, and affordable.

Remote care is a great option for the diagnosis and treatment of non-emergency medical concerns and conditions like:

• Infections (styes, pink eye, sinus infections, UTIs, yeast infections, and more)
• Colds, coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, and more
• Minor rashes and other skin concerns such as acne and eczema

It’s also a great way to manage chronic or ongoing conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders.

But how do you know which is the best online doctor for you?

The Basics of Getting the Best Telehealth Visit

Telehealth allows a patient and healthcare provider to communicate and connect without the need for a physical in-person visit.

Many platforms use a combination of synchronous telehealth (live exchange of patient information by phone or video, for example) and asynchronous telehealth (where the patient shares information through an intake form or messaging system and the healthcare provider reviews the information at a later time) to provide an incredible virtual doctor visit.

Here are some of the most important features we look for when it comes to talking to a doctor online:

• Service for a variety of health conditions. Whether it’s providing a diagnosis or a treatment plan, an online doctor visit should be able to address a range of urgent, primary, and chronic care needs.
• Affordable pricing. A telehealth consultation with a doctor is typically less expensive and more convenient than an in-person visit. The best online doctor visits will be complete and comprehensive — and at a price that’s affordable for the patient.
• Prescriptions or refills. A big benefit of telemedicine is patients being able to get initial prescriptions or refills written without leaving home. A great online doctor visit will provide patients with the written prescription they need so they can fill it at their local pharmacy, or in the case of some telemedicine platforms, get the medication delivered to their door.
• Lab orders. Regular blood and urine testing helps identify red flags like vitamin deficiencies, signs of disease, and more. A good online doctor provider will allow patients to get a lab order written, and some telemedicine companies even offer the option for a phlebotomist to come to a patient’s home.
• A smooth, secure, hassle-free communication experience. Essential for an appointment to be meaningful and productive, an online doctor platform should ensure an easy connection when needed.
• Follow-up from the doctor after the appointment. The patient-doctor communication shouldn’t end when the appointment is over. If there are labs to be ordered, prescriptions to be written, or additional instructions, these things should happen in a timely manner after the appointment to close the loop from the visit. Ideally a patient will have access to a portal with all of their visit information and notes.

The 4 Best Platforms Right Now for an Online Doctor Visit

We looked at some of the most popular telehealth platforms today and compared their offerings, the patient experience, pricing, and their specialization.

Our picks for the best online doctors:

1. Best Online Doctor for Overall Experience: LifeMD
2. Best Online Doctor for Using Insurance: Plushcare
3. Best Online Doctor for Online Therapy: BetterHelp
4. Best Online Doctor for Non-Urgent Health Concerns: HealthTap

#1 Top Doctor Online for Overall Experience: LifeMD

LifeMD provides patients with all the benefits of an easy telehealth appointment, with U.S.-based board-certified doctors as well as the ability to get prescriptions, lab orders, and more. LifeMD members get 24/7 messaging access with a dedicated team of medical professionals.

LifeMD is an American Board of Telehealth certified member, the gold standard in telehealth.

What We Like About LifeMD

• Board-certified doctors and licensed nurse practitioners
• Doctors can order labs, and LifeMD members can save up to 95%
• Doctors can also prescribe medications (no controlled substances), and LifeMD members can save as much as 92% with the Prescription Discount Card
• 24/7 messaging with a medical team through the dedicated, secure LifeMD app or website
• No insurance required
• Transparent pricing per visit ($49), or unlimited appointments and follow-up for $99/month

What Could Be Improved About LifeMD

• Doesn’t take insurance. Rather than a copay, patients pay a flat fee or reasonable monthly membership.
• Doesn’t currently offer prescription delivery, but medications can be picked up locally.

Click Here to Get a Diagnosis Now

The overall experience at LifeMD is unrivaled, according to patient reviews, and for most minor diagnoses, management of chronic conditions, and even visits that can avoid urgent care, it’s a great option. LifeMD is our pick for overall care and experience when it comes to the best doctors online.

#1 Top Doctor Online for Using Insurance: Plushcare

Plushcare provides virtual solutions for primary care concerns, and they work with insurance providers. Plushcare’s model is good for those who know that their insurance works with Plushcare or who can get reimbursed by their insurance company for this kind of care.

What We Like About Plushcare

• Works with most major insurance companies
• Doctors can order labs and write prescriptions for medications (no controlled substances)
• Also provides mental health services

What Could Be Improved About Plushcare

• Uninsured visit costs can be pricey depending on the reason for the visit and your budget.
• Does not accept insurance for therapy.

#1 Top Doctor Online for Therapy: BetterHelp

BetterHelp has become the go-to among doctors online for therapy and counseling, offering access to licensed and accredited psychologists (PhD/PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW/LMSW), and professional counselors (LPC) — from anywhere. It’s more affordable than most in-person counseling visits, and BetterHelp became especially popular at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

What We Like About BetterHelp

• Provides a great experience for those looking specifically for therapy
• Sessions can occur through a multitude of formats, such as messaging, live chat sessions, live phone sessions, and live video sessions

What Could Be Improved About BetterHelp

• Services on the site are typically not covered by insurance, and if they are, neither BetterHelp nor its therapists submit claims; patients must do this on their own.
• While the licensed professionals can provide therapy and counseling, they are not authorized to prescribe medications.

#1 Top Doctor Online for Non-Urgent Health Concerns: HealthTap

HealthTap allows patients to ask health questions online to a network of U.S. licensed physicians for free. Patients are offered the option to immediately connect to — or schedule an appointment with — a doctor for a consultation via video conference, phone call, or text chat. Doctors can write or refill prescriptions, order lab tests, and more.

What We Like About HealthTap

• No insurance required
• Patients can get personalized answers to anonymous health questions (a free account allows for this, as well as access to a symptom checker)
• Patients and doctors can connect through a variety of mediums: video conference, phone call, or text chat

What Could Be Improved About HealthTap

• Patients may experience longer wait times for an answer from a doctor compared to some other telehealth platforms

Benefits of an Online Doctor Visit

With the advent of telehealth and the ability to meet with an online doctor instead of trekking to an appointment, patients can more easily check off key tasks related to their health.

Online doctor visits can help patients:

• Keep up with prescriptions. Because of the hassles involved in getting a prescription or refill, patients may let their prescriptions lapse — or never get the medications they need to begin with. This could result in serious health consequences for both acute and chronic health conditions. An online doctor visit can change all this because online doctors can write initial prescriptions or refills for many medications — and the patient can skip the trip to the doctor’s office.
• Have labs done regularly. Keeping up with lab work is important in helping to track key markers related to overall health. Most online doctors can write lab orders. Patients can then go to a facility that’s convenient for them. Some telehealth platforms also offer the option for a phlebotomist to come to the patient's home for a quick blood draw.
• Be seen by a doctor quickly. When patients know they won’t have to sit endlessly in a waiting room or feel forgotten in a cold exam room, they may be more apt to make or keep regular telehealth appointments.
• Stay far away from waiting-room germs. Who knows what germs are lurking in waiting rooms? With telehealth visits, patients can be in their own space and not have to worry about picking something up from the people around them.
• Save money. When it comes to actually having to go to the doctor’s office, the costs of travel, childcare or eldercare, and taking time off of work can really add up. With an online doctor visit, patients can speak to a doctor from anywhere and then get on with their day — no extra expenses incurred.

Common Questions About Doctor Visits Online

What is the best online doctor?

We've rated LifeMD the best overall on-demand doctor due to the transparent pricing and the overall ease and convenience of using the platform, whether patients are talking to a board-certified doctor online, receiving a prescription or lab order, or sending a message through the secure portal.

Can I text a doctor online for free?
The method of communication differs among online doctors, and some platforms offer multiple options. With BetterHelp, for example, patients can use messaging (like text) as well as real-time chats, voice calls, and video sessions as part of their membership.

Can I get Adderall online?
Some online doctors may prescribe Adderall and other controlled substances — but this approach to telehealth has gotten pushback from regulators and consumer advocates due to the addictive nature of controlled substances. The majority of online doctors do not provide prescription initiations or prescription refills on controlled substances.

How can I get a doctor’s note online?
The policy will vary across online doctors, but at LifeMD, for example, qualifying patients can receive a doctor’s note for up to two days maximum of short-term work absence. Regarding jury duty release forms, FMLA forms, or letters that qualify patients for an emotional support animal: this will also differ among telehealth platforms.

Does Medicaid cover online doctor visits?
For online doctors who work with insurance, some telehealth visits may be wholly or partially covered by Medicaid. The coverage policies will also vary by state.

How do online doctor visits work?
With an online doctor visit, patients can schedule a telehealth appointment at a time that’s convenient for them. They can attend their appointment using their smartphone, computer, or tablet. The online doctor can typically make a diagnosis, recommended treatment or management options, and write any necessary prescriptions or lab orders. Sometimes patients share information through a portal or form, and the healthcare provider reviews the information at a later time.

Final Note on Online Doctor Reviews

While the telehealth companies we looked at offer a lot of similar benefits, key characteristics set each of them apart.

When it comes to general care for common ailments, we like LifeMD for its overall convenience, prices, and quality app. It’s easy to connect with a board-certified doctor, get treated for common health issues, and even get prescriptions filled and lab orders written.

Whether you wake up with a sore throat, are running out of prescription refills, or have a chronic condition like diabetes that needs regular monitoring, a telehealth appointment may be just what the doctor ordered.

Click Here to Start An Online Doctor Visit Right Now

*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice nor to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, and may or may not be peer reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using a natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.