This medical treatment website hires certified nurse practitioners to diagnose most patients’ symptoms to help keep costs down. According to Virtuwell, the company has saved $148 (on average) for each treatment; it has diagnosed and treated more than half a million patients and has saved users on average $57 million total in healthcare costs.
Striving to reinvent the insurance healthcare system created in the 1950s, founders Kevin Palattao and Kris Johnson created a new online healthcare platform in 2010 to replace the outdated model. Both the children of family physicians, Kris and Kevin decided to recreate the modern doctor’s visit by hiring nurse practitioners with friendly bedside manners and a focus on customer service.
Virtuhealth’s first incarnation was only available to Minnesota residents but is now available to customers in 13 states.
Is Virtuwell Right For You?
Virtuwell offers simple pricing and a high level of attention and care. Unlike most doctors, Virtuwell doesn’t charge for an appointment if your symptoms can’t be treated through the platform. This online doctor is perfect for anyone who wants:
- Easy-to-follow treatment plans
- Free follow-up care
- Doctor or nurse availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Health care on the go
- Little-to-no wait to see a doctor
- Online appointment scheduling
- Treatment within an hour
- Prescriptions sent right to their pharmacy
- Doctors and nurse practitioners that follow rigorous clinical protocols
You don’t need a smartphone, either. You can call, message, or video chat — whatever works best.
Is Virtuwell Credible?
Founder Kevin Palattao has over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry.
All doctors and certified nurse practitioners are U.S. state medical board-certified and create custom treatment plans for each patient. The medical team at Virtuwell has over 300 collective years of experience in medicine.
Doctors specialize in:
- General care
- Family medicine
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Women’s health
- Dermatology
Most visits to a doctor’s office can be handled by certified nurse practitioners. These practitioners:
- Diagnose and treat symptoms
- Prescribe medications
- Offer a holistic approach to medicine
- Hold a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing
- Possess clinical knowledge
- Demonstrate competency through state medical board examinations
- Collaborate with primary care physicians, specialists, and lab experts
- Diagnose common illnesses on Virtuwell
- Determine the right prescription
- Offer convenient, high-quality care
- Assess symptoms
- Determine appropriate care
- Screen patients
- Refer patients to specialists and healthcare providers
- Offer nutritional advice
- Assess condition severity
- Educate users on health risks, lifestyle choices, and preventative care
Virtuwell keeps all patient information secure within the platform. All information is encrypted to the highest security standards and all passwords are also encrypted.
The platform stores credit card info on a secure server (separate from your personal information).
The site uses Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) and is Norton Secured; all information is encrypted and cannot be seen or stolen by hackers or intruders.
Of course, virtuwell doesn’t sell, share, or exchange any information. If you want your info shared with your other doctors, you need to provide written consent to do so.
All appointments are backed by a customer satisfaction guarantee.
Healthcare Conditions Treated by Virtuwell
Virtuwell treats a long list of conditions. Almost anything that can be diagnosed and treated through an online health care provider can be treated by Virtuwell doctors. Just some of the health care conditions treated by doctors and nurses include:
- Acne (patients ages 12 and older)
- Angular cheilitis
- Allergies
- Athlete's foot
- Bacterial vaginosis (patients ages 26 and older)
- Bed bugs
- Birth control (patients ages 18 to 39)
- Bladder infection (UTI)
- Boil
- Breast infection (mastitis)
- Bronchitis
- Canker sore
- Cellulitis
- Chickenpox
- Chlamydia
- Chronic and preventive care
- Clogged duct
- Cold sores
- Common colds
- Common warts
- Cuts or scrapes
- Deer tick bites
- Dermatitis
- Diaper rashes
- Ear infections (patients ages 5 and older)
- Eczema
- Emergency contraception (patients ages 18 and older)
- Eye and ear problems
- First-degree burns
- Flu (seasonal)
- Folliculitis
- Genital herpes
- Gonorrhea
- Hand foot and mouth disease
- Hives
- Impetigo
- Ingrown nails
- Insect bites
- Intertrigo
- Jock itch
- Keratosis pilaris
- Kids’ health
- Laryngitis
- Lice
- Molluscum
- Nail infections
- Perioral dermatitis
- Pet allergies
- Pink eye
- Pityriasis rosea
- Plantar warts
- Poison ivy
- Poison oak
- Rash
- Ringworm
- Rosacea
- Scabies
- Seasonal allergies
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Second-degree burn
- Sexual health
- Shingles
- Sinus, cough, and allergy
- Sinus infections
- Skin rashes
- Styes
- Sunburns
- Swimmer's ear (patients ages 5 and older)
- Tinea versicolor
- Trichomoniasis
- Women's health conditions
- Yeast infections
COVID-19 Testing and Care
Virtuwell has partnered up with HealthPartners and Park Nicollet clinics to offer drive-up COVID-19 testing in Minnesota. This service is offered on an as-needed basis with the following terms of service:
- By appointment only
- Covered by most insurance
- Drive-up testing only
- Expert medical advice
- Online test results and next steps
- Personalized treatment plan
- Testing, personalized care, and free follow-up
- Thorough clinical assessment
Anyone who uses Virtuwell who is not a Minnesota resident is encouraged to find testing facilities in their state or community. The state health department websites are usually a great resource for finding local testing facilities.
How Does Virtuwell Work?
Signing up for Virtuwell is extremely easy. All it takes is three simple steps, and you’re on the road to recovery! To start your online visit, simply:
- Fill out a short questionnaire regarding health history, symptoms, medications, and allergies to start your ‘treated episodes’.
- Get a diagnosis from nurse practitioners and doctors (humans, not bots!); get your treatment plan and prescription sent right to your pharmacy; if you don’t need a prescription, your provider will recommend over-the-counter medications and future prevention tips as well as any subsequent care.
- Pay for your appointment by credit card and/or insurance; Virtuwell submits all insurance claims for you.
The best part? Your relationship with Virtuwell doesn’t end there. You’ll get a free follow-up and additional adjustments to your plan — all covered under your original fee. You can message through the app or call the toll-free number.
Access your electronic health record (or treated episodes as Virtuhealth calls them) right through the app, and share it with your other doctors and/or specialists.
Virtuwell Does NOT treat Some Conditions
This telemedicine provider treats more conditions than we knew existed! (Just kidding.) The list of treatable conditions might be longer than a kid’s birthday wish list, but sadly Virtuwell isn’t for every health condition, including:
- Emergencies (heart attack, stroke, etc.)
- Sutures
- Broken bones
- Annual physicals
- Legally-mandated doctor’s notes
- Mental health care
- Controlled substances prescriptions
Some conditions require traditional care settings; if your doctor or nurse practitioner can’t treat your symptoms, you won’t be charged for the visit.
We recommend heading to the website or app to get a consultation if you’re not sure if your symptoms can be treated. If you’re experiencing an emergency, Virtuwell recommends calling 911 or heading directly for the nearest emergency room, as doctors on the platform cannot treat emergencies.
While nurse practitioners on the platform do treat minors, some conditions cannot be treated in younger patients. Virtuwell recommends contacting a family practitioner or primary care physician for such treatments (though the consultation with Virtuwell is free, so it’s always best to check with a nurse practitioner on the platform first.
Even if the doctors and nurses can’t treat a condition, they might be able to offer advice on where to turn for appropriate care.
Pricing: How Much Does Virtuwell Cost?
One of our favorite parts about this platform is its no-nonsense pricing. The cost for an online visit is $49.
That fee includes follow-up communication and any additional related questions (consultations are always free!). The company also has a satisfaction guarantee. If doctors or nurses can’t treat you, you don’t pay a penny.
Pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Debit) or with an insurance plan or HSA.
Virtuwell also bills most health insurance companies — and submits your claim for you. Some of the insurance companies that work with Virtuwell include:
- Aetna
- Americas PPO
- Anthem
- Assurant
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative
- EssentiaCare
- GHC-SCW
- Humana
- McLaren Health Plan Community
- Medica
- Olmsted County
- Preferred One
- UCare Choices
- UMR
- United Healthcare
- WPS
What Do We Think About Virtuwell?
Virtuwell has done a fantastic job of disrupting the outdated healthcare industry methods and creating a platform that is easy to use and inexpensive. The use of certified nurse practitioners lowers the costs of traditional medical care and offers complete transparency for patients and users.
We love the simple pricing that Virtuwell offers (one price point for everyone!) and that doctors treat such a long list of conditions. The only thing we wish we could get from this telehealth platform is — well, more of it. We can’t wait for developers to add more conditions to the list of treatments and add a mental health component, too.
Since Virtuwell takes most insurance plans, this platform is also ideal for users who have access to traditional healthcare settings but simply want to get symptoms diagnosed online and without long wait times.
If you’re experiencing unusual symptoms and want to chat with a doctor and/or certified nurse practitioner for one low fee, we recommend heading over to Virtuwell to get a health treatment plan in under an hour.
FAQs
What is the best online virtual doctor? ›
- Best overall: MDLIVE.
- Best for prescription delivery: Lemonaid.
- Best for budget: LiveHealth.
- Best for all-around medical care: PlushCare.
- Best for ease of use: Doctor on Demand.
- Best for on-demand care: Amwell.
- Best for therapy: Talkspace.
- Best for specialists: Teladoc.
If you do not have health insurance, the best services for acquiring telemedicine include GoodRx Care, MDLive, Teladoc, Amwell, Doctor on Demand, and Mira. Mira offers virtual care options with a $25 co-pays.
Can an online doctor prescribe antibiotics? ›What Can Online Doctors Prescribe? Online doctor prescriptions are the same as the prescriptions you'd get from any other healthcare provider. Online doctors can prescribe medications such as antibiotics, daily medication for depression and anxiety, medicated creams, eye and ear drops, and others.
Are online doctors reliable? ›Receiving diagnoses, medical advice, and prescriptions through online doctors is an increasingly popular option for patients seeking the convenience of an internet service; however, there are risks involved with online medicine. Not all doctors are reputable or scrupulous and illegitimate services are prevalent.
What is the best site for doctor reviews? ›- Google My Business.
- Healthgrades.
- ZocDoc.
- RateMDs.
- Doctor.com.
- Wellness.com.
- CareDash.
- RealPatientRatings.
What is the most used telehealth platform? Zoom dominates the telehealth space with a market share of 32.32%. Since COVID-19, Zoom has become a ubiquitous form of communication across people's personal and professional lives.
Are online doctors cheaper? ›Saves you money. In general, telehealth tends to be less expensive than an in-person office visit. Costs vary between telehealth services and can depend on what type of insurance you have. One 2017 study reported that people spent an average of $79 on a telehealth visit for an acute respiratory infection.
How do I choose a doctor online? ›Click on the 'Find a Doctor' button on the homepage of the website/app, select a specialty or type the name of the doctor directly. Once you select a doctor, you can click on the “Consult Now' button to start the online consultation.
What does Teladoc not prescribe? ›Teladoc does not prescribe DEA-controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs, and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. Teladoc physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services.
Is there a way to get antibiotics without seeing a doctor? ›Other than a few topical over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointments, there is no other legal way to obtain oral antibiotics. A primary care provider must prescribe your antibiotics for several reasons.
What is the strongest antibiotic for bacterial infection? ›
Vancomycin 3.0 is one of the most potent antibiotics ever created. It is used to treat conditions like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-induced meningitis, endocarditis, joint infections, and bloodstream and skin infections.
Can online doctors prescribe amoxicillin? ›Get an online amoxicillin prescription
Think you have an infection and require antibiotics? Access the medication you need when you need it and connect with an online doctor, for an amoxicillin prescription, at a time that suits you at Tia Health.
How important are these reviews for doctors? Very! The majority of patients are reading online reviews and ratings, so doctors cannot ignore the impact of the reviews.
How do I know if my doctor is credible? ›Go to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website to check the basics with their DocInfo.org search function. You will find the doctor's board certifications, education, states with active licenses, and any actions against the physician.
How do you know if a doctor is legitimate? ›To determine a doctor's status, go to the Medical Board's website or call (800) 633-2322 and someone at the Medical Board will look up the doctor for you. To use the website, click on “License Search” on the home page.
What is the most accurate medical website? ›The National Institutes of Health website is a good place to start for reliable health information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is another one. As a rule, health websites sponsored by federal government agencies are accurate sources of information.
What site is better than WebMD? ›We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to WebMD ONE, including Weave, Solutionreach, Vantage Fit, and NextGen Healthcare EHR.
What is the physician Compare website? ›Currently, Physician Compare is a website that allows consumers to search for, and obtain information about, physicians and other healthcare professionals who provide Medicare services.
Do telehealth doctors call you? ›If an appointment is to be delivered via telehealth, you will be sent the details of the time, and what you will need to have with you during the appointment. If the appointment will be via a phone call, they will let you know the time they will call you.
Is telehealth good or bad? ›However, many doctors do not believe telemedicine allows them to deliver quality care in all situations, with 58% of physicians saying that the care they provide virtually is not on par with in-person care. Additionally, the second pain point for doctors using telemedicine is related to patient expectations.
Who is teladoc owned by? ›
Teladoc was founded in 2002 in Dallas, Texas by G. Byron Brooks EE MD and Michael Gorton. Billing itself as the oldest telemedicine company in United States, Teladoc's initial business model allowed patients to remotely consult with state-licensed doctors at any time.
What are the disadvantages of virtual medicine? ›Disadvantages of Telemedicine for Healthcare Providers
This lack of physical exams is one of the biggest drawbacks of telemedicine. In addition, seeing patients in person allows doctors to learn more about their condition than they can via video or phone.
It isn't possible to do every type of visit remotely. You still have to go into the office for things like imaging tests and blood work, as well as for diagnoses that require a more hands-on approach. The security of personal health data transmitted electronically is a concern.
What are the disadvantages of online doctor consultation? ›There can be a problem of miscommunication where the patient might not be able to give the accurate details of the symptoms as he or she is not aware of them. This can make it difficult for the doctor to make a proper diagnosis. 3. With online consultation, it is difficult to evaluate the quality of doctors.
What is the best website to ask medical questions? ›MedlinePlus - Health Information from the National Library of Medicine.
When should I use an online doctor? ›- Follow-up visits after you've already seen your doctor.
- An exam of easy-to-see areas, like your eyes or skin.
- Counseling and other mental health services.
- Prescription refills.
- Monitoring chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma.
Yes, you can consult a doctor online.
Will Teladoc prescribe antibiotics? ›If you have a non-emergency condition such as a bacterial infection, acne flare-up, or seasonal allergies, Teladoc may be able to provide medically necessary prescriptions for antibiotics, antihistamines, and other medications.
Who is Teladoc biggest competitor? ›- Amwell.
- OneMedical.
- Sesame Care.
- PlushCare.
- Amazon Care.
- Walmart Health Virtual Care (formerly MeMD)
- HealthTap.
- MDLive.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), authorized providers can prescribe controlled substances via telehealth, without the need for an in-person medical evaluation.
What's the strongest natural antibiotic? ›
Honey. Honey tops the list of antibiotics and is known for its extensive healing properties. The presence of hydrogen peroxide in honey exhibits strong antibacterial properties. In addition, the high sugar content thwarts the growth of bacteria.
What is similar to amoxicillin over the counter? ›- Bacitracin (Neosporin)
- Polymyxin (Polysporin)
- Neomycin (Neosporin Plus Pain Relief)
- Pramoxine.
- Benzoyl peroxide (Proactiv)
The most deadly bacterial disease contracted by human beings is mycobacterium tuberculosis, the world's leading infectious disease with more than 1,700,000 deaths per year. As much as 13% of cases are resistant to most antibiotics, and about 6% are resistant or unresponsive to essentially all treatment.
What is the best all around antibiotic? ›- Augmentin.
- Flagyl, Flagyl ER.
- Amoxil.
- Cipro.
- Keflex.
- Bactrim, Bactrim DS.
- Levaquin.
- Zithromax.
The main types of antibiotics include: Penicillins - for example, phenoxymethylpenicillin, flucloxacillin and amoxicillin. Cephalosporins - for example, cefaclor, cefadroxil and cefalexin. Tetracyclines - for example, tetracycline, doxycycline and lymecycline.
How do I get antibiotics ASAP? ›If you run out of medicine while you're away from home, you may be able to have a consultation with a local GP and get a prescription for a limited supply of medicines. You'll then need to find a pharmacy that's open. You can also go to an NHS walk-in centre. They may be able to organise a GP consultation.
Can you buy penicillin or amoxicillin online? ›If you have a bacterial infection, you can get a prescription from a qualified healthcare provider and purchase amoxicillin online. However, you cannot purchase amoxicillin without a prescription.
Can I get a penicillin prescription online? ›Penicillin is not available over the counter, but licensed medical doctors can prescribe penicillin online.
Can doctors delete reviews? ›Just because doctors have a specific legal and ethical obligations that govern what information can be made public, does not mean that providers should accept fake reviews. Fake reviews, whether they're about a doctor or another business professional, can be removed from the Internet.
Can you leave a bad review for a doctor? ›It is perfectly legal to leave a negative review, even a scathing one. You must, however, ensure that the review is true. To protect yourself against claims of defamation: Ensure you use the right name for each provider.
Can doctors delete reviews on real self? ›
RealSelf is only able to remove reviews if they violate our Terms of Service. If you are a provider and you feel a review on RealSelf violates our Terms, please visit this link to learn more about the dispute process.
Can a doctor diagnose you wrong? ›Around 5% of patients are incorrectly assessed by their doctor. That means that most people are given reliable information about their health and physical condition. But if your condition or illness gets worse after receiving a diagnosis, you may have been misdiagnosed.
How do you know if a doctor misdiagnosed you? ›- Your Symptoms Overlap with Multiple Conditions. ...
- Your Doctor Didn't Get All Information. ...
- You Didn't Receive Proper Testing. ...
- Your Second Opinion Doesn't Match the Diagnosis. ...
- Your Treatment Is Ineffective.
- PubMed. ...
- UptoDate. ...
- MedScape. ...
- World Health Organization (WHO) ...
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) ...
- American Medical Association (AMA) ...
- ClinicalKey. ...
- Epocrates.
When it comes to prescriptions, our doctors make the call. Teladoc doctors are U.S. board-certified and licensed to practice medicine in your state. They can diagnose, treat and prescribe medication if medically necessary.
Is Teladoc any good? ›Teladoc is an excellent option for anyone looking for convenient, accessible healthcare. It's especially helpful for people who would prefer not to go to an in-person appointment or people with busy lifestyles that make it difficult to schedule in-person appointments. Teladoc also offers appointments 7 days a week.
Which is better telehealth or telemedicine? ›Telehealth? - Telehealth is similar to telemedicine but includes a wider variety of remote healthcare services beyond the doctor-patient relationship.
Will Teladoc give doctors notes? ›When you are talking with a Teladoc physician, and if in the doctor's judgment you are not able to work for the next 24 hours, the doctor may grant your request for an Off-Work Note.
Can telehealth prescribe Xanax? ›This means you won't be able to get prescriptions like Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, or Xanax through telehealth.
What medications does Teladoc prescribe? ›- Antidepressants: Asendin, Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor XR, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), Remeron, Trintellix (vortioxetine), Sinequan, Viibryd, Vivactil, Wellbutrin and Zoloft.
- Anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics: propranolol, Vistaril (hydroxyzine)
What conditions can be treated with telemedicine? ›
- Lab test or x-ray results.
- Mental health treatment, including online therapy, counseling, and medication management.
- Recurring conditions like migraines or urinary tract infections.
- Skin conditions.
- Prescription management.
- Urgent care issues like colds, coughs, and stomach aches.
What are some of the common conditions Teladoc treats? Common conditions include sinus problems, respiratory infections, allergies, urinary tract infections, cold and flu symptoms, and many other non-emergency illnesses.
Does Teladoc use real doctors? ›Are these “real” doctors? Absolutely. Every Teladoc doctor is based in the U.S. and licensed to practice medicine in their respective state. Our doctors average 20 years of experience, go through stringent vetting, and adhere to all HIPAA laws and regulations.
Which is better Teladoc or doctor on demand? ›At the end of the day it's going to come down to the same thing as everything else, price. If you are looking for access to more healthcare at a lower cost Teladoc is probably going to be your best bet. If you prefer less medical treatment at a higher cost Doctor on Demand will be your pick.
What is possibly the biggest disadvantage to telehealth? ›The largest downside to telehealth may be inequitable access. People without reliable internet or wireless service and those who do not have a computer, tablet, or smartphone cannot participate in telehealth.
What are the disadvantages of telehealth care? ›Downsides to telehealth
It isn't possible to do every type of visit remotely. You still have to go into the office for things like imaging tests and blood work, as well as for diagnoses that require a more hands-on approach. The security of personal health data transmitted electronically is a concern.