Sesame Care is a telehealth platform that may help manage concerns such as long wait times, confusing insurance billing, and limited access to personalized care. It may do so by helping you connect with board-certified providers across multiple specialties via online or in-person visits.
The platform’s services cover various categories, including urgent care, mental health (therapy and psychiatry), dermatology, prescription refills, and fitness. It claims to simplify healthcare access by offering transparent, upfront pricing without reliance on insurance.
In this review, we cover various aspects of Sesame Care, including its service offerings, user experiences, advantages, and potential brand limitations. It also discusses the specific factors on which we evaluated the brand.
About Sesame Care
Co-founded by David Goldhill, Michael Botta, and John Fontein, Sesame Care claims to simplify access to personalized healthcare and make it more affordable. You may schedule in-person appointments or virtual consultations with licensed healthcare providers on the platform.
According to the official site, the platform offers access to 380+ services across 35+ specialities, including dermatology, urgent care, mental health, pediatrics, weight management care, and menopause. The platform provides access to same-day doctor consultation, whether online or in-person, at a price range between $34 and $47.
Based on a detailed assessment of your fitness history and specific needs, the licensed doctors offer prescriptions for medications to help tackle multiple concerns, such as acid reflux, diabetes, insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
For added cost savings and benefits, the brand offers a Plus Membership program. As per the official site, as a member of the Plus Membership program, you are eligible for a $10 discount on all visits, free lab testing, and continuous support from a dedicated support team.
Sesame Care Services
Medications for Refill
Medications for the Refill service from the brand may simplify the process of managing ongoing prescriptions, alongside guidance and dosing recommendations from licensed healthcare providers. During a virtual appointment, doctors will review your prescription needs and, if appropriate, approve refills, ensuring continuity of personalized care.
As per the official site, the service covers prescriptions and refills for multiple health concerns, including anxiety, diabetes, acid reflux, migraine, insomnia, high blood pressure, and cold sores.
As per the official site, the licensed providers on the platform may typically assist with refilling 1-2 existing prescriptions during a prescription refill appointment. It is important to note that the providers do not prescribe controlled substances, which include opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines.
Specialties
According to the official site, the Sesame Care platform provides healthcare services across 35+ specialties. Under the weight management care specialty, the platform offers the Success by Sesame program under which licensed providers may prescribe compounded or brand-name GLP-1 medications (such as Wegovy and Zepbound).
In the dermatology specialty, the platform may connect you with licensed dermatologists for virtual consultations addressing a range of skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, hair loss, rashes, and warts.
As part of the psychiatry specialty, the brand may connect you with board-certified psychiatrists who may conduct talk therapy, psychiatric evaluations, or behavioral health consultations, based on your needs.
The platform may further provide access to hormonal and non-hormonal means to tackle the discomfort and symptoms associated with menopause or perimenopause as part of the menopause specialty.
Licensed providers may provide tailored guidance to tackle common menopausal signs, like night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue.
Beyond these categories, the platform also covers other specialities, including urgent care, pediatrics, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infections, and women’s health.
Symptoms
Sesame Care may help connect you with your assigned licensed healthcare providers, offering tailored guidance and condition management plans based on your specific symptoms and needs.
The platform could help you discuss your symptoms through online consultations, which may cover back pain, asthma, sore throat, anxiety, acne, ear infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and signs of depression.
For skin problems such as acne or eczema, the dermatologist may assess your symptoms, including blackheads, whiteheads, papules, nodules, and cysts.
During consultations, they will review your skin condition, medical history, lifestyle factors, and potential triggers to develop a personalized plan.
When screening for depression, providers may look for symptoms like persistent sadness, fatigue, and changes in appetite to guide an appropriate program.
In screening for anxiety, the providers may ask for symptoms like excessive sweating, heart palpitations, tremors, or chills. Based on these symptoms, they may suggest options such as psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral strategies, anxiolytic medications, or beta-blockers.
The platform’s focus on symptom-specific care may ensure that you receive timely, targeted interventions. It may help evaluate the root causes of symptoms, consider medical history, and provide recommendations that may include lifestyle adjustments, medications, or ongoing monitoring.
Sesame Care Advantages
Wide Range of Services
Sesame Care provides a diverse range of services, which may cover multiple needs and symptoms. As per the official site, the platform offers access to 380+ services across more than 35 specialities. For urgent care, the platform offers same-day appointments that cover non-emergency issues, such as minor injuries or infections.
As part of its mental health and psychiatry services, the platform may connect you with licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. These providers may suggest behavioral therapy, psychiatric consultations, or medications.
Under its dermatology offerings, the platform provides access to board-certified dermatologists who may evaluate your skin conditions and provide appropriate plans to minimize skincare concerns like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or hair loss.
The brand’s service offerings further include specialist consultations, birth control consultations, and diagnostic services like X-rays and MRI referrals. Such a diverse range of service offerings may provide convenience and cover various needs under a single telehealth platform.
Comes With an Integrated App-Based Ecosystem
Sesame Care’s telehealth platform integrates an app-based ecosystem to support more streamlined healthcare access. Through the Sesame mobile app, you may schedule same-day appointments with licensed providers across different specialties such as mental health, dermatology, and endocrinology. The app further supports prescription tracking, medication refills, and real-time updates for test results. It can also be accessible on both Android and IOS platforms, which may potentially enhance convenience.
The brand’s integrated app-based ecosystem may translate into accessible and efficient care that adapts to your specific needs. The app brings all aspects of your healthcare into a single, user-friendly platform.
Pros
- Accepts HSA/FSA reimbursements to provide some flexibility in purchases.
- The platform’s service offerings cover 380+ services across 35+ specialities.
- Offers a dedicated app-based ecosystem that provides access to prescription management, consultations, and progress tracking.
Cons
- Lack of insurance coverage may contribute to out-of-pocket costs.
- Some consumers have experienced delays in shipment delivery and unresponsive support.
Sesame Care Limitation
Lack of Insurance Integration
According to the official site, Sesame Care operates on a self-pay cash model, and its offerings are not eligible for insurance reimbursements. The brand emphasizes transparent, upfront pricing for its services and medications.
However, the absence of insurance integration may reduce accessibility, especially if you rely on insurance to cover out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. It may contribute to added financial strain and lead to elevated cost of prescriptions and the brand’s service offerings, thereby reducing the likelihood of using services offered by the brand.
Sesame Care Alternatives
Amwell
When comparing Amwell and Sesame Care, the platforms differ in several nuanced ways. Amwell integrates with health systems and insurers, emphasizing coordinated, whole-person care beyond just on-demand visits. It centers its model on providing 24/7 access to board-certified providers, positioning itself as a consistent extension of traditional healthcare.
Amwell highlights partnering with many health plans and employers to provide virtual care as a covered benefit and supports over 55 major insurance providers, including United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield of multiple states, and other regional plans.
Coverage might vary by plan and service, as some plans require a service key code to access copays or benefits. Even if a plan is not listed, virtual care may still be reimbursable based on individual coverage, with receipts available through the user portal.
Virtual care services include urgent care visits, specialty visits, and behavioral health, with copays and coverage details varying per service and plan. Payment is typically upfront, with copays or fees applied according to insurance coverage.
Sesame Care, meanwhile, operates strictly as a direct-pay marketplace outside traditional insurance structures, with transparent pricing and no insurance accepted for visit payments (though some prescriptions filled via Sesame may still be covered by insurance at pharmacies). All visits are out-of-pocket, with payments accepted via credit card, HSA, or FSA funds.
Sesame Care offers a “Sesame Plus Membership” for $10.99/month or $99/year, providing additional discounts on appointments, labs, prescriptions, and specialists. Membership cannot be combined with insurance or Medicare.
Sesame Care emphasizes affordability, transparency, and patient independence, highlighting over $50 million in savings for users. Its model prioritizes quick access, with many same-day appointments, though it does not operate as a full 24/7 on-demand service. The platform highlights transparent pricing, no surprise bills, and a streamlined booking process designed for ease.
In terms of services, Amwell provides urgent care, behavioral health, dermatology, women’s health, and chronic care management, available nationwide. Sesame Care offers a broader portfolio, with over 383 services across 36+ specialties, including urgent care, preventive health, prescription refills, dermatology, and mental health support for conditions such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety. This distinction highlights Amwell’s streamlined approach versus Sesame Care’s expansive options, which include both virtual and in-person visits. Amwell’s mobile app, available on iOS and Android, allows users to initiate visits, communicate with providers, and manage prescriptions conveniently from home.
Sesame Care emphasizes speed and affordability with same-day video appointments starting at $34, prescription tracking, and in-app treatment adjustments. Its mobile app allows you to book same-day appointments, track prescriptions, adjust service in-app, communicate with clinicians, and access membership benefits for discounted services.
Provider type and structure also differ. Amwell features a mix of family physicians, dietitians, psychiatrists, and other specialists, emphasizing board certification and experience. Sesame Care connects you with independently operated clinicians, including psychiatrists, therapists, and nurse practitioners, across its wide range of specialties.
Thus, Amwell focuses on a coordinated, integrated approach with a streamlined set of services, insurance support, and nationwide telehealth access. Sesame Care emphasizes broad specialty coverage, transparent pricing, affordability, and accessible, quick care outside traditional insurance structures.
PlushCare
Both PlushCare and Sesame Care are telehealth platforms that provide access to virtual consultations and personalized care across different health needs. However, the platforms diverge in aspects like their core focus, range of service offerings, and insurance coverage.
PlushCare offers a virtual care model that emphasizes continuity, broad coverage, and insurance integration. The brand’s service offerings include online consultations for urgent care (non-emergency) services, including asthma, bacterial vaginosis, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and rashes.
As part of its mental health services, the platform offers consultation access to licensed therapists and mental health professionals who may screen for and provide plans/medications to tackle different needs, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, or panic disorders. Under its weight management care category, the providers at PlushCare may offer compounded and brand-name GLP-1 medications to support fitness goals and suppress appetite.
Meanwhile, Sesame Care’s telehealth model is broader and covers around 380+ services across different specialties and symptoms. Some specialities covered by the brand include weight management care, menopause, pediatrics, urgent care, dermatology, and mental health.
The brand’s service model also covers same-day consultations with licensed providers and prescriptions/refills to manage different symptoms, such as anxiety, eczema, migraine, back pain, asthma, acne, and sore throat.
Insurance integration is another point of difference between the brands. PlushCare accepts insurance coverage for most major U.S. health plans, including Aetna, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield, and Humana. It may allow you to use existing insurance coverage and often lead to reduced out-of-pocket costs.
On the other hand, Sesame Care operates without insurance billing, instead offering a direct-pay model that accepts HSA/FSA payments. Lack of insurance integration may result in higher upfront expenses.
How Did We Evaluate?
Brand Credibility
To assess Sesame Care’s brand reputation, we considered both its operational background and ratings across established review platforms.
The brand positions itself as a telehealth service that emphasizes affordability and transparency, as its digital model may help reduce barriers to personalized care.
On Trustpilot, the brand holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating from more than 3,350+ reviews, reflecting mostly positive user feedback, with some reviews indicating dissatisfaction with scheduling appointments with the providers.
Meanwhile, the brand holds BBB accreditation and an “A” rating on Better Business Bureau, although the presence of multiple complaints may indicate problems with the brand’s service consistency and issue resolution practices.
Taken together, such ratings may suggest that the brand has built a credible reputation, particularly in terms of affordability and ease of access, while still facing challenges in maintaining uniform customer experiences.
Real Consumer Feedback
For evaluating Sesame Care, we examined firsthand experiences with the brand shared by real users on Reddit threads between 2024 and 2025.
The feedback indicates that while the platform offers accessible telehealth appointments and a transparent pricing model, many users faced challenges when relying on the service for ongoing or chronic care.
Some users appreciated the ease of scheduling and the ability to access online care without visiting an office. A prominent concern among reviewers was the short duration of prescriptions.
For instance, one user received only 30-day refills for anti-depressive medications, which contribute to repeated telehealth appointments.
One user noted having to request an extra refill multiple times, while another expressed frustration at having to pay for quarterly appointments to maintain prescriptions.
Prescription fulfillment and customer support also emerged as consistent pain points. Multiple users described delays in prescriptions reaching pharmacies, a lack of communication from support staff, and challenges obtaining refunds even after extended wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the platform could provide access to various specialists, including dermatologists, therapists, and dentists. However, provider availability might vary by location, and not all specialties are accessible in every area.
No, prescription costs are separate and not included in the consultation fee charged by the brand. The platform operates on a direct-pay model, and prescription services are cash-pay only.
No, the platform does not offer a portal for record access. While the platform may retain some of your health data, you are responsible for maintaining your own medical records.
Conclusion
Sesame Care has positioned itself in the modern healthcare marketplace, emphasizing convenience, accessibility, and personalized care. The platform’s service offerings range from prescription refills to specialty consultations and symptom-specific care, without the typical delays or high costs associated with standard clinic visits.
However, the brand operates on a self-pay cash model, with no insurance coverage. While pricing is transparent and communicated upfront, the absence of insurance reimbursement may increase out-of-pocket costs for consultations and prescriptions.
Making sure a platform suits you depends on a few practical considerations as how you like to consult, whether prescriptions are needed, and what fits your budget. These factors might help make your experience smoother and more effective.
- About the Author
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Alisha Matthew has been a practicing nutritionist since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of IOWA. She is a staunch believer in improving the human health index by educating people about nutrition and the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and happy life. Her long-term goal is to keep educating people on general health and keep herself updated with the latest trends in the field of health.