Sesame Care Review: Everything You Should Know

Sesame Care offers a streamlined approach to healthcare, connecting you directly with psychiatrists, therapists, and other specialists through a transparent, cash-pay model. Unlike traditional healthcare systems, it removes insurance hurdles, referrals, and long wait times, providing upfront pricing for both virtual and in-person consultations. You can access mental health services, therapy, skincare, and sexual health consultations on demand. This exclusive Sesame Care review evaluates whether Sesame Care delivers on its promises or not.

About Sesame Care

Sesame Care connects you with doctors and specialists across the United States. You can schedule virtual or in-person appointments. Sesame offers primary care, urgent care, mental health support, dermatology, OB/GYN, cardiology, and pediatrics. This platform offers clear and upfront pricing, with virtual primary care visits starting at $29. Since doctors set their own rates and availability, the cost may be lower compared to traditional healthcare. To save more, you can join the Sesame Plus membership program, which costs $10.99 per month or $99 per year. As a member, you can get $10 discounts on virtual and in-person visits, special pricing on services, and a free yearly lab test worth $65. Sesame also offers a Sesame @ Work program that helps businesses provide healthcare to employees, whether they have insurance or not. Companies like DoorDash, Sittercity, and Marsh use Sesame to provide their teams with access to medical care.

With a network of over 10,000 doctors and specialists covering 36+ specialties and 380+ services, Sesame offers inclusive care. You’ll have access to providers who speak 40+ languages and are trained to serve diverse communities.

Sesame Care Services

1. Specialties

   Sesame Care provides a range of healthcare specialties to meet various needs. If you’re looking to manage weight, the platform connects users with professionals who can provide you with personalized plans like their Success by Sesame program. For those needing dermatology care, Sesame Care offers access to experienced dermatologists who can help with skin-related issues. The platform also focuses on mental health, offering consultations with specialists in psychiatry, therapy, and counseling. Families can access pediatric care for their children’s health concerns, while urgent care is available for quick, non-emergency medical attention. Sesame Care also offers services related to women’s health, covering a broad range of health issues. With these specialties, Sesame Care aims to provide accessible healthcare solutions through the convenience of online consultations.

2. Medications for Refill

   Sesame Care simplifies the process of managing your prescriptions without requiring in-person visits. Through the platform, you can book a video consultation with a health expert who will assess your needs and prescribe or refill medications such as Finasteride, a generic Propecia for hair loss, Metformin for managing type 2 diabetes, and Sildenafil(generic Viagra) for erectile dysfunction. To ensure a seamless refill experience, Sesame Care recommends having proof of a prior prescription. This could include a photo of an old pill bottle or details from a previous prescription. This helps the provider confirm your medication and expedite the refill process. In some cases, providers may also access national pharmacy systems to view prescriptions from other healthcare providers, offering more flexibility when managing the medications.

3. Symptoms

   Sesame Care provides convenience and accessibility for a variety of symptoms, enabling you to consult the doctor from your home. Whether you’re dealing with acne, anxiety, asthma, back pain, depression, ear infections, or urinary tract infections (UTIs), Sesame Care allows you to discuss your symptoms with a licensed provider. This telehealth service provides timely medical attention without in-person visits, which can sometimes be difficult or inconvenient to arrange.

   For concerns like acne, you can connect with dermatologists who can recommend treatment plans like the Skincare Rx program or prescribe medications to help manage the condition. If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, Sesame Care offers access to mental health professionals who can provide therapy and prescribe medication through their Mental Health Rx subscription.

   For chronic conditions such as asthma or back pain, healthcare providers can assess your symptoms, guide your treatment options, and suggest medications or lifestyle changes.

   Sesame Care also supports more immediate health concerns, such as ear infections or UTIs. Providers can diagnose these conditions and prescribe appropriate treatments, like antibiotics, to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.

Sesame Care Advantages

1. Transparent and Affordable Pricing

   Sesame Care provides upfront, transparent pricing for medical services, allowing you to know the cost before booking an appointment. This approach can eliminate unexpected bills and hidden fees. For example, urgent care consultations are available at prices ranging from $36 to $110. Their medical services can help with flu and UTIs. The medical experts at Sesame Care can prescribe medications like antibiotics and antivirals under urgent care with clear mention of the pricing of their sessions.

2. Convenient Online Booking and Telehealth Options

   Sesame Care can help you book appointments online seamlessly, offering a streamlined process to connect with healthcare providers. You can select the type of service you need, choose from a list of available providers with transparent pricing and patient reviews, and schedule an appointment at your convenience. These appointments can be conducted via video call, phone call, or, in some situations, in person, providing flexibility and minimizing the need for physical visits.

3. Access Different Healthcare Services

   Sesame Care provides access to different healthcare options that can be accessed from home. The platform offers appointments for specialties like weight loss, dermatology, mental health, and urgent care, allowing you to address different health concerns. It also enables the request of prescriptions and refills for medications such as fluoxetine, metformin, and prednisone, making it easier for you to manage ongoing medicines. The services cover anxiety, acne, UTIs, and back pain. Sesame Care also offers health appointments, specialist consultations, and diagnostic services like X-rays and MRIs.

4. Patient-Centric Experience

   The Sesame Care platform offers free cancellations up to 24 hours before the appointment time and provides confirmation and reminder notifications via email and text. Multiple options are available to join virtual appointments, including direct links in emails and text messages or through your Sesame Care account.

Sesame Care Limitations

1. Limited to Non-Emergency Issues

   Sesame Care primarily offers non-emergency medical concerns meant for virtual consultations, prescription refills, and general health management. However, it does not help with urgent or life-threatening situations, such as severe injuries, strokes, heart attacks, or other medical emergencies. If you experience a critical health issue, you must seek immediate medical help at an emergency room or urgent care center, as Sesame Care’s providers are not equipped to handle such cases remotely.

2. No Direct Insurance Billing

   Sesame Care works on a direct-pay model, meaning you must pay out of pocket for services at the time of booking. While this model promotes transparency by eliminating hidden fees and unexpected insurance charges, it may not be suitable for people who rely on health insurance for medical expenses. If you want to use insurance, then you must manually submit claims for reimbursement, which could lead to delays or potential denials, depending on the coverage plan.

How Did We Evaluate Sesame Care?

1. Value For Money

   The evaluation compares Sesame Care’s pricing with similar products from Found and FuturHealth to assess its cost-effectiveness. Sesame Care offers on-demand healthcare with same-day doctor visits starting at $34 and a membership option at $79 per month, which includes discounted visits and free annual lab work. This pricing makes it a cost-effective option for individuals seeking general, non-emergency healthcare. In contrast, Found and FuturHealth focus on weight loss programs priced at $99 per month. Both platforms offer virtual consultations, prescription treatments, and personalized nutrition plans, providing support for weight management.

2. Customer Reviews

   Sesame Care has mixed feedback from users, with both positive and negative experiences shared across Reddit. Many users raised concerns about prescription issues, such as medications being filled at pharmacies they did not select, leading to confusion and frustration. Long wait times, unhelpful responses, and difficulty obtaining refunds were commonly reported as part of the customer service experience. Some users also pointed out hidden fees, such as unexpected membership charges and additional costs for prescription refills, which were not clearly communicated upfront.

   Many users appreciated the convenience that Sesame Care provides. The ability to book appointments quickly and receive prescriptions online for minor health issues was seen as a significant advantage. This service saved time and effort compared to in-person visits. Some users found Sesame Care to be a more affordable option than traditional healthcare services, particularly for short consultations or prescription refills.

   Sesame Care holds a TrustScore of 4.5 out of 5, based on 2,910+ reviews. A significant portion of these reviews are 5-star ratings, reflecting a high level of customer satisfaction. Many users appreciate the professionalism and efficiency of the healthcare providers, highlighting the positive experiences with their care. On the other hand, there are some reviews mentioning challenges with customer service and prescription-related issues. A few users have also expressed concerns regarding the subscription fee and the difficulty in obtaining a refund.

3. Brand Reputation

   Sesame Care offers affordable services aimed at non-emergency consultations. Although it lacks the extensive history and broad recognition of established telehealth providers like FuturHealth and Found, Sesame Care provides quick medical care. The company focuses on making healthcare more accessible, transparent, and affordable, offering clear pricing for both consultations and prescriptions to meet the increasing demand for remote healthcare.

   Sesame, Inc., the company of Sesame Care, is a doctor referral service based in New York and has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since December 27, 2022, currently holding an A rating. Many customers reported receiving incorrect prescriptions, leading to dissatisfaction with the service. Others mentioned frustrations with accessing promised services, like lab tests and facing difficulties with reimbursements. There have been complaints regarding customer service, billing, and order-related issues. While Sesame has addressed many of these complaints, some customers felt their issues were not fully resolved.

   Despite Sesame Care’s cost-effectiveness, reviews on platforms like Trustpilot are mixed. Many users appreciate the ease of access and affordable care, but concerns around prescription errors, hidden fees, and customer service issues have also been raised.

Sesame Care Alternatives

1. FuturHealth

   Both Sesame Care and FuturHealth offer telehealth services, but they cater to different needs. Sesame Care provides access to a wide range of healthcare services, including consultations with licensed providers for various health concerns such as general wellness, mental health, and prescriptions. It focuses on affordability and flexibility, allowing patients to schedule on-demand visits for a variety of medical issues.

   On the other hand, FuturHealth specifically supports weight management. The platform combines telehealth consultations with personalized treatment plans that include medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are clinically supported for weight loss. It also offers customized nutrition plans from dietitians, providing a more focused and comprehensive approach for those aiming to manage their weight.

   While Sesame Care is a more general healthcare platform offering a variety of medical services, FuturHealth focuses exclusively on weight management, making it more specialized for individuals with specific weight loss goals.

2. Found

   Found is a weight care platform that provides a personalized approach to weight management. Launched in 2019, it combines medication and support for behavior changes to help you lose weight over the long term. The program can suit people with a body mass index of 30 or those people who have ea BMI of 27 who have health conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Found focuses on diet, exercise, and prescription medications when needed and also takes into account factors like sleep, stress, genetics, and hormones.

   On the other hand, Sesame Care focuses on providing accessible healthcare services for a wide range of health needs. It lets you consult healthcare providers for general wellness, mental health support, and prescriptions. Found, however, specifically helps people looking for a more structured weight management plan with medical supervision.

   While Sesame Care covers a broad range of healthcare services, Found specializes in weight management, offering a more focused program with treatments and lifestyle changes to help you manage your weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use Sesame Care if I have insurance?
   Yes, you can use Sesame Care even if you have health insurance. However, Sesame Care does not accept or process insurance claims. Patients pay directly for services at transparent, upfront prices, which can sometimes be more affordable than using insurance for certain visits.
2. Does Sesame Care offer prescription services?
   Yes, Sesame Care allows doctors to prescribe medications during virtual or in-person consultations. You can pick up the prescriptions at your preferred pharmacy.
3. Is Sesame Care available in all U.S. states?
   Sesame Care is technically available in all 50 states, but provider availability varies by location. Some states may have fewer doctors and specialists than others, so users should check service availability in their area before booking.

Conclusion

Sesame Care offers a simple and accessible healthcare platform with clear pricing and a variety of services. By not using insurance, it makes healthcare more affordable, especially for people with high-deductible plans or no insurance.

However, there are some drawbacks, such as fewer provider options and the need for better matching between patients and providers, which can affect the quality of care. Wait times for some services can also be long, and the platform mainly focuses on general care, which may not be ideal for people who need specialized or ongoing treatment.

It’s important to note that Sesame Care services do not replace immediate medical care, and its services do not guarantee accurate results. While Sesame Care services can work well for basic healthcare needs, those seeking more specialized care should seek medical help from experts as they can provide them with a want to explore other options that offer more tailored services.