Finding affordable healthcare can be difficult, especially when traditional appointments involve long waits, complicated insurance processes, or unexpected costs. Sesame Care takes a different approach by offering cash-pay healthcare services that can be booked online with upfront pricing.
From virtual doctor appointments and prescription services to mental health care, labs, imaging, dentistry and specialist visits, Sesame provides access to a broad range of healthcare services through its online marketplace.
But is Sesame Care actually worth using? This review looks at how the platform works, its pricing model, available services, benefits, limitations and what to consider before booking.
What Is Sesame Care?
Sesame Care is a healthcare marketplace that connects patients with licensed healthcare providers for both virtual and in-person services.
Unlike traditional healthcare platforms that bill insurance, Sesame primarily uses a cash-pay model. Patients can browse available providers, compare prices and book services directly through the platform.
Sesame currently advertises more than 380 services, with appointments starting at around $34, although the actual cost depends on the provider, service and location.
This model can be particularly useful for people without insurance, people with high deductibles, or anyone who prefers knowing the price before scheduling an appointment.
How Does Sesame Care Work?
Using Sesame is designed to be relatively straightforward:
- Search for a healthcare service, condition or specialty.
- Compare available providers and appointment prices.
- Select a date and time.
- Pay for the appointment online.
- Complete any required health information.
- Attend the virtual appointment or visit the provider in person.
Sesame says patients pay upfront when booking, and payment options can include credit cards, debit cards, HSA and FSA funds where eligible. Sesame does not bill health insurance for its appointments.
Sesame Care Services
One of Sesame’s biggest advantages is the variety of services available through one platform.
Virtual Doctor Visits
Telehealth appointments can be useful for certain common healthcare needs when an in-person examination isn’t necessary. Sesame offers virtual consultations for a variety of conditions and services.
Prices vary by provider, but Sesame currently lists online doctor visits starting at $34.
Prescription Refills
Sesame also offers online prescription and refill appointments. Providers can prescribe medication when medically appropriate, although prescriptions are always subject to the clinician’s assessment.
The platform states that controlled substances such as stimulants, opioids and benzodiazepines cannot be prescribed through its online prescription-refill service.
Mental Health Services
Depending on location and availability, Sesame provides access to services involving mental health and medication management.
The platform also offers ongoing prescription programs for certain conditions, giving eligible patients an alternative to arranging every appointment individually.
Labs and Imaging
Sesame also connects patients with laboratory and imaging services. Depending on the service, a provider may be able to order testing or provide a referral.
This can make Sesame useful for people who want to coordinate several parts of their healthcare without relying entirely on a traditional primary-care system.
Dental and Specialist Care
Sesame isn’t limited to general medical appointments. Its marketplace also includes specialists and dental services, although availability and pricing depend on where you live.
Sesame Plus members can receive additional discounts on eligible specialist and dental appointments.
Sesame Plus Membership
For people who expect to use Sesame regularly, the optional Sesame Plus membership may provide additional value.
At the time of this review, Sesame lists membership at $10.99 per month or $99 per year.
Benefits advertised by Sesame include:
- $10 off eligible telehealth and primary-care visits
- $10 off eligible in-person specialist and dental visits
- One free eligible lab or blood test each year with an annual membership
- Member pricing on a wide range of healthcare services
The free annual lab benefit has some restrictions, including availability limitations in Washington State. Sesame also states that Sesame Plus is not a replacement for health insurance.
For occasional users, paying for individual appointments may make more sense. Frequent users may find the membership more attractive if their expected savings exceed the membership cost.
Prescription Services Through Sesame
Prescription-related care is another area where Sesame aims to simplify access.
The platform currently advertises online visits for new prescriptions and refills starting at $34. Patients don’t need insurance to book the appointment, although the medication itself may be subject to the patient’s pharmacy and insurance arrangements.
Sesame also offers Everyday Rx, an ongoing prescription service with plans starting at $29 per month when paid annually. The service advertises $1 medications for more than 350 commonly prescribed medicines, subject to eligibility and availability.
As with any prescription service, a clinician must determine whether a medication is medically appropriate.
What Makes Sesame Care Different?
The main difference is its emphasis on upfront, cash-pay healthcare.
Traditional healthcare billing can make it difficult to know what an appointment will cost before receiving care. Sesame lets patients view prices before booking, which can make comparison shopping easier.
The platform also doesn’t require patients to use insurance for its appointments. That can be useful for people who are uninsured or who have plans with high deductibles.
However, cash-pay care isn’t automatically cheaper for every person. If your insurance covers a particular service at a low copay, using your insurance may still be the better financial option.
Pros and Cons of Sesame Care
Pros
- Upfront pricing before booking
- No insurance required for Sesame appointments
- Virtual and in-person care options
- Large selection of healthcare services
- Prescription and refill services
- Optional Sesame Plus membership
- Convenient online booking
- HSA/FSA payment options for eligible services
Cons
- Sesame appointments generally aren’t billed to insurance
- Prices vary between providers and locations
- Not every medical condition can be handled through telehealth
- Prescription decisions remain at the provider’s discretion
- Certain medications and services have restrictions
- Membership isn’t a substitute for health insurance
Is Sesame Care Legit?
Sesame Care is an established healthcare marketplace connecting patients with healthcare providers and currently advertises more than 10,000 board-certified providers and more than 1 million patients.
That said, healthcare platforms should be evaluated differently from ordinary shopping websites. Availability, provider credentials, state regulations, appointment type and medical appropriateness can all affect the experience.
Before booking, check the provider’s qualifications, the exact service being purchased, the cancellation terms and what is included in the quoted price.
How to Save Money With Sesame Care
If you’re considering Sesame, a few strategies can help you keep costs under control.
Compare Providers
Don’t automatically choose the first available appointment. Sesame allows users to compare providers and prices, so check several options when your schedule allows.
Check Insurance First
Although Sesame doesn’t bill insurance for its appointments, your health plan may offer a cheaper option for certain services. Compare the total cost before paying out of pocket.
Consider Sesame Plus
If you expect to book several eligible services, calculate whether the membership’s discounts could outweigh the monthly or annual fee.
Look at Prescription Options
For recurring medications, compare the cost of a standard Sesame appointment with an ongoing prescription program such as Everyday Rx.
Review the Total Cost
A low appointment price doesn’t necessarily mean your entire healthcare expense will be low. Consider medication, laboratory, imaging or follow-up costs before choosing a treatment route.
Final Verdict: Is Sesame Care Worth It?
Sesame Care can be a convenient option for people who want transparent, cash-pay access to healthcare.
Its biggest strengths are upfront pricing, online booking, telehealth availability and a broad selection of healthcare services. It can be particularly appealing to uninsured patients, people with high deductibles and those who value convenience.
However, Sesame shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for health insurance or traditional medical care in every situation. Some conditions require an in-person examination or more comprehensive care, and insurance may provide better value for certain services.
Overall, Sesame is worth considering if price transparency, convenience and direct access to healthcare providers are your priorities. Before booking, compare the Sesame price with your insurance benefits and check exactly what the selected service includes.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes and isn’t medical advice. Healthcare needs vary from person to person. For urgent, severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms, seek appropriate emergency medical care rather than relying on an online appointment.
