Sesame Online Doctors Review

Breadth of Services

Sesame doesn't speak about the services it provides in general terms, such as primary care, chronic disease management, or mental health services. Rather it provides a list of symptoms patients might experience that its providers can address. These include dizziness, earache, cold and flu symptoms, skin problems, anxiety, and depression. The company also offers video dental consults, which is unusual among the services we've reviewed. You can also book appointments specifically for medication refills. This list probably isn't exhaustive, since many of the doctors affiliated with Sesame are general practitioners who, by definition, can address a wide range of health problems. For the time being, it looks like the universe of doctors who partner with Sesame is small. Depending on where you live, that may make it difficult to find a specialist to treat your condition.

Professional Credentials and Licensures

Sesame works with licensed doctors, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers, who must provide licensures and other credentials in order to participate on the Sesame platform. Most of its MD providers appear to practice family medicine, a broad area of care. You can search for providers by service or symptom, but the site doesn't require you to describe the health problem you're experiencing in depth before matching you with a provider. Some people may appreciate having less red tape to go through. Before selecting a provider, you should read about his or her educational background, licensures, and area of specialty if applicable. 

Price

Sesame is the least expensive telehealth service we've reviewed and, from a marketing perspective, it positions itself first and foremost as an affordable healthcare option. According to the company's website, nationwide, patients pay an average of $30 for a 15-minute appointment with an MD. When we searched for a physician licensed to practice in a medium-sized midwestern city, the site delivered a choice of six doctors and prices quoted were between $41 and $55.

Screenshot from sesamecare.com 2/27/2021

The amount charged by each physician was prominently displayed near his or her name. We appreciated Sesame's transparency around pricing, however, it's important to note that you must pay up front when booking an appointment through Sesame.

Screenshot from sesamecare.com 2/27/2021

Patients pay directly for Sesame services without any subscription fees. Neither the company nor the doctor you see will bill your health insurance company. If your insurance includes a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use your funds from these accounts to pay for care on Sesame. Some health plans cover telemedicine visits, particularly now in the COVID-19 era. If you wish to be reimbursed for Sesame services, check with your insurance company or benefits manager to see if yours is one of them.

Customer Experience

Sesame offers a very straightforward online experience. From the homepage of its website, you can immediately search for a doctor according to your location. The website uses location technology to narrow your choices to physicians who can practice in your state. You can sort physician recommendations according to price, appointment availability, languages spoken, and type of visit requested: in-person or virtual. After you have selected a provider and appointment time, you'll be asked to enter payment information and can proceed with booking. Appointments last 15 minutes. As is the case with many telehealth services, in the event that you require a follow-up visit, there's no guarantee you'll be able to see the same doctor you saw the first time. But if you are willing to wait for an appointment, chances are pretty good that you can.

Sesame services are delivered via video, in person, or in a few instances by phone. The company doesn't offer a mobile app at this time. Sesame is A-rated by the Better Business Bureau. Consumers on Trustpilot give the company 2.8 out of 5 stars, but the rating is based on just a handful of reviews.