12 Best Telehealth Platforms — Ranked by Cost and Doctor Access

8. Sesame - Direct-Pay Transparency and Competitive Pricing

Sesame has disrupted the traditional healthcare pricing model by offering completely transparent, direct-pay telehealth consultations starting at $30 for basic visits and ranging up to $150 for specialist consultations. The platform's revolutionary approach eliminates insurance complications and hidden fees, providing patients with upfront pricing for all services and enabling them to compare costs across different providers within the network. Sesame's physician network includes board-certified doctors across multiple specialties, with detailed profiles showing credentials, patient reviews, and exact pricing for different types of consultations. The platform's accessibility varies by provider and location, but most offer same-day or next-day appointments, with some providing evening and weekend availability to accommodate working patients. What distinguishes Sesame is its marketplace approach, allowing patients to shop for healthcare services based on price, provider credentials, and availability, similar to other consumer service platforms. The platform's commitment to price transparency has attracted both cost-conscious patients and healthcare providers seeking to offer affordable care without insurance overhead. Sesame's model is particularly beneficial for patients with high-deductible health plans or those without insurance, as the direct-pay prices are often lower than traditional insurance copayments and deductibles. The platform's growth has been driven by its ability to make healthcare pricing transparent and predictable, addressing one of the most significant pain points in the American healthcare system.