Here’s a concise guide to affordable telehealth options in the U.S., approximate costs, and practical tips to keep visits cheap.

Low-cost / widely available telehealth platforms

• Teladoc — large network, often included through employers/insurers (visits can be $0 with coverage). Self-pay urgent-care visits typically listed around $75–$89; mental-health visits higher. (teladochealth.com)
• Doctor on Demand (included under “Included Health”/Partnerships) — many plans make visits $0; self-pay urgent/medical visits often in the ~$50–$100 range; therapy/psychiatry priced separately. (doctorondemand.com)
• Amwell — commonly offered through insurers; some employer/plan partnerships list very low copays (example: $15/visit in some plans). (cigna.capitalhealth.com)
• PlushCare — membership options (monthly or annual) plus copays vary; many insured patients pay ~ $25–$30; self-pay visits often listed ~$129. Membership discounts and prescription savings available. (PlushCare.com)
• GoodRx Care — low-cost single visits start around $19 for GoodRx Gold members (higher without membership, typically $39–$70+). Good for straightforward conditions and prescriptions. (Note: GoodRx has had past privacy enforcement actions; consider privacy practices if that matters to you.) (GoodRx.com)
• Lemonaid Health — inexpensive consultations often listed around $25 (medication cost separate); many services are cash-pay and not billed to insurance. Good for prescription-based care (birth control, UTI, ED, etc.). (support.lemonaidhealth.com)
• Other lower-cost options to consider: 98point6 (text-based primary care model), local health system telehealth portals (many offer low copays if you’re an insured member), and retail clinics that provide telehealth (prices vary).

Notes on cost and coverage

• If you have employer-based insurance, Medicare Advantage, or other commercial coverage, many telehealth platforms are included at low or no cost — check your plan’s telehealth benefits or the platform’s “check your plan” tool before booking. Without insurance, self-pay rates vary widely by provider and type of visit. (Teladoc.com)
• Medicare/Medicaid rules have changed multiple times since the pandemic; some expanded telehealth coverage has been temporary or limited by plan type (Medicare Advantage plans may still offer broader telehealth than traditional Medicare). If you’re on Medicare, check your specific plan for current telehealth coverage. (kiplinger.com)

Ways to lower telehealth costs

• Use the platform your insurer or employer provides (often lowest or $0 copay). (teladochealth.com)
• Look for membership discounts (e.g., GoodRx Gold, PlushCare memberships) only if you’ll use the service frequently enough to justify the fee. (PlushCare.com)
• Use text/async visit options when available (often cheaper than live video).
• Choose platforms that bundle meds/tests at discounted rates (GoodRx, PlushCare partnerships, Cost Plus/telehealth collaborations for medications). Recent partnerships have also reduced costs for some high-priced drugs via telehealth channels. (reuters.com)
• Use HSA/FSA/HRA funds for telehealth visits when eligible.

How to pick the best option for you

• If you have insurance: log in to your insurer’s portal or call customer service and ask which telehealth partners are in-network and what copays apply. Many platforms let you check coverage after creating an account. (teladochelpcenter.zendesk.com)
• If you don’t have insurance or want very low out-of-pocket cost: compare GoodRx Care, Lemonaid, 98point6, and platform self-pay pages for per-visit prices and membership options. (GoodRx.com)

Caveats

• Prices change and vary by state, plan, and service type; the numbers above are typical ranges from provider pages and partner plan examples as of recent public listings. If you need the very latest prices for a specific plan or state, I can look them up now for the platforms you’re most interested in. (PlushCare.com)

If you’d like, tell me whether you have insurance (or Medicare/Medicaid), whether you need general urgent care, primary care, mental health, or medication management, and I’ll pull the most cost-effective options and exact prices for your situation.