When does paying cash for a doctor visit make sense?
Sesame lists a price before you book, and you pay at checkout. For a quick, one-time problem such as a sinus infection, a prescription refill or a skin question, that can be simpler and faster than booking through insurance. Cash visits do not count toward any insurance deductible, so for expensive or ongoing care, check what your own coverage would pay first.
Sesame Care
A direct-pay telehealth marketplace — search providers by specialty and price, see the cost before booking, and skip insurance billing.
Key Features
- Visit prices start at $34 for telehealth appointments — all posted on provider profiles before you book, with no bill arriving afterward
- Same-day and next-day appointment slots across urgent care, primary care, mental health, and specialist visits — no referral required to access specialists directly
- 10,000+ independently licensed, board-certified providers across 383 service types — urgent care, primary care, mental health, dermatology, cardiology, women's health, and weight management among them
- Labs, imaging, and specialist referrals at transparent cash prices — typically a fraction of what insurance-billed rates run
- SesamePlus membership ($14.99/month) reduces per-visit costs further — 200+ common generics at $0 per fill, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes medications
- No insurance account required and no prior authorization
Best for
Seniors who want a quick visit with a licensed provider at a price posted before booking, with or without insurance.
Worth knowing
Cash-pay visits are not billed to insurance, so they do not count toward any deductible or out-of-pocket limit. For expensive or ongoing care, check what your own coverage would pay first. Sesame is most cost-effective for single, episodic visits, not as a substitute for long-term care management.
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How this works
Is telehealth worth it for seniors?
Sesame Care works like a marketplace: you search by specialty or condition, read provider profiles, see a posted price, and book — all without calling an office or navigating an insurance portal. There is no bill that arrives later and no explanation of benefits to decipher. Payment happens at booking, and what you pay is what was listed.
The platform draws two main groups: people without insurance who have no affordable path to a doctor, and insured patients who discover the cash price is lower than their copay or deductible.
Prices on Sesame are set by the providers themselves, not negotiated through an insurance network. That creates visible competition: providers on the same platform often charge different rates for identical service types, and the search function surfaces those differences before you book. For a specialist consultation, prices for the same appointment type can vary significantly between providers — something the insurance-billed system obscures entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All providers on Sesame are independently licensed and board-certified in their specialty. They are independent practitioners who use the Sesame platform — not Sesame employees. Each provider's credentials, training, and patient reviews are visible on their profile.
Yes, where clinically appropriate and legally permitted. Providers on Sesame can prescribe medications for conditions they assess during the visit — you receive the prescription and can fill it at any pharmacy. GoodRx coupons can be used to reduce prescription costs at the pharmacy.
Sesame covers a wide range of conditions — urgent care (cold and flu, sinus infections, UTIs, allergies), prescription refills, mental health (anxiety, depression, medication management), dermatology, women's health, weight management, and specialist consultations. Over 383 service types are listed on the platform. It is not appropriate for emergencies — call 911 or go to an ER for chest pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of stroke.
Where this information comes from
These sources offer further reading. I identify claims from the maker as manufacturer claims in the page text.
- Telehealth for Patients: U.S. HHS
You might also consider
A few more products for seniors worth a look.
| Product | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sesame Care This pick | $34–$149 | Seniors who want a quick visit with a licensed provider at a price posted before booking, with or without insurance. |
| Audien Atom Pro 2 OTC Hearing Aids | See Amazon | Seniors who want hearing help without managing an app, account, or smartphone pairing | An easy, low-pressure gift for a parent who's been putting off hearing aids because every option seemed too complicated. |
| Audien Atom X Touchscreen OTC Hearing Aids | See Amazon | Seniors who want hearing aid controls without a smartphone app | A practical gift for a parent who's hearing-test-avoidant but comfortable with a simple touchscreen. |
| Elehear Beyond Pro OTC Hearing Aids | See Amazon | Seniors who struggle most in noisy social settings — restaurants, family gatherings, crowded rooms — rather than quiet one-on-one conversation | A meaningful gift for a parent who's stopped going to noisy family events because keeping up with conversation has become exhausting. |
Prices are approximate ranges — check each retailer for today's price.
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Products on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before purchasing or using any health product.