TeleDirectMD
Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD
$79 flat per visit
- Who you see
- The same board-certified MD, every visit
- Insurance
- Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare in select states
- Coverage
- 40+ states
- Membership
- None
Is TeleDirectMD a better telehealth option than Amwell?
TeleDirectMD charges $79 flat per visit with no membership required and always connects you with the same board-certified MD (Parth Bhavsar, MD, NPI: 1104323203). Amwell (variable, typically at or above TeleDirectMD’s flat $79) typically routes patients to a rotating pool of MDs, NPs, and PAs. Both platforms cover common urgent-care conditions (UTI (women only), sinus infection, strep, pink eye, ear infection), prescription refills, and basic E/M evaluations; Amwell additionally offers some service lines TeleDirectMD does not (24/7 access, integrated mental-health, or pediatrics depending on the competitor). For evergreen acute and chronic-refill care, Penn Medicine, JAMA Network Open (2026) found telehealth visits cost roughly five times less than in-person primary care ($96 vs $509 mean). Insurance-covered visits with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare commercial plans are accepted in participating states.
Medically reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD · Updated May 19, 2026
Head-to-head · Prices checked October 2026
TeleDirectMD vs. Amwell: 2026 Comparison
Amwell is the broadest insurer-network telehealth platform; TeleDirectMD matches its $79 cash-pay and adds a named-MD guarantee.
Amwell
$79 per visit
- Who you see
- Board-certified doctors; psychiatrists + licensed therapists (MH)
- Insurance
- Yes — 55+ plans incl. Aetna, BCBS, UHC, Beacon, Emblem
- Coverage
- All 50
- Membership
- No
The short answer
TeleDirectMD is $79 flat with a single named board-certified MD; Amwell is $79/visit cash-pay as reported by Mira Health (2025); Amwell shows your exact price before the visit. Amwell has the broadest insurer network reviewed — 55+ commercial plans including Aetna, BCBS, UHC, Beacon, and Emblem (ChoosingTherapy) — and serves all 50 states with mental health. Both are HIPAA-compliant. TeleDirectMD matches Amwell on cash-pay price ($79 vs. $79) and wins on the named-MD-only model. Amwell wins on insurance breadth, mental health, and 50-state reach.
Reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD, Board-Certified Family Medicine. Updated October 13, 2026; Amwell facts verified against official materials and cited sources on October 13, 2026.
Side by side
TeleDirectMD vs. Amwell, point by point
Ten things that matter when you pick a telehealth service. Every Amwell claim links to its source.
What you're comparingTeleDirectMDAmwell
Insurance acceptedAetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states)Yes — 55+ plans incl. Aetna, BCBS, UHC, Beacon, Emblemsource
PrescriptionsSame-day; pharmacy of your choiceSent to the pharmacy you choose; no published fill timesource
Advertised wait timeNot published; same-day appointments<10 min (urgent care); next-day (therapy)source
Provider typeMD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified)Board-certified doctors; psychiatrists + licensed therapists (MH)source
Which to choose
An honest call: each one wins somewhere
Choose TeleDirectMD if
- Same cash-pay price, named MD. $79 flat at both. TeleDirectMD guarantees a single named board-certified MD; Amwell connects you with an available provider from its network.
- Named MD on every visit. Dr. Bhavsar — vs. Amwell's rotating provider panel.
- Predictable, simple pricing. One product, one price.
Choose Amwell if
- 55+ insurance plans. Amwell has the broadest commercial-plan footprint reviewed (ChoosingTherapy). TeleDirectMD accepts 3.
- All 50 states. Amwell covers all 50 states; TeleDirectMD covers 40+ states.
- Mental health (therapy + psych). Therapy is $142 per 45-minute session and psychiatry $292 initial per ChoosingTherapy. TeleDirectMD doesn't offer mental health.
- Sub-10-min wait. <10-min urgent care wait per Mira Health.
Quick picks
- Need mental health (therapy or psychiatry)?Amwell — $142 therapy / $292 psychiatry. TeleDirectMD doesn't offer mental health.
- Insurance is Beacon, Emblem, or another less-common payer?Amwell's 55+ plan network is the broadest. TeleDirectMD accepts 3 (Aetna, BCBS, UHC).
- In one of TeleDirectMD's 40+ states and paying cash?Same $79 as Amwell — pick TeleDirectMD if you want a single named MD, or Amwell if you want mental health included.
- Insurance is Aetna, BCBS, or UHC?Both platforms accept all three. Compare specific plan copays.
The details
Price, providers, prescriptions and coverage
Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs
Cash-pay urgent care: TeleDirectMD $79 flat; Amwell $79/visit as reported by Mira Health (2025); Amwell shows your exact price before the visit. Same cash price per visit.
Mental health: $142 (45-min therapy) / $292 (psychiatry initial). TeleDirectMD doesn't offer mental health.
Insurance: Amwell's 55+ plan network is the broadest of any platform reviewed — ChoosingTherapy. If you have an in-network plan there but not on TeleDirectMD's shorter list, Amwell will likely produce the lower copay.
Visit fees don't include medication at either service. Any prescription is filled and paid for at your pharmacy. See what a visit plus a generic prescription costs.
Provider Quality Deep-Dive
TeleDirectMD: MD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar.
Amwell: MDs and licensed physicians for psychiatry; MDs and licensed therapists for mental health per ChoosingTherapy. Provider type varies by service line.
For acute primary care, both deliver clinically appropriate care. The differentiator at TeleDirectMD is continuity — same MD every visit.
Prescription Handling
TeleDirectMD: e-prescription to your pharmacy of choice within ~30 min of the visit ending.
Amwell: prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy per ChoosingTherapy; same-day timing not explicitly guaranteed.
Neither platform prescribes controlled substances.
State coverage
TeleDirectMD is licensed in 40+ states. Amwell: All 50.
Check whether TeleDirectMD serves your state. If it doesn't, Amwell or another platform may be a better fit.
The doctor you see
One physician, not a rotating panel
Every TeleDirectMD visit is with Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician licensed in 40+ states. Not a physician assistant, not a chatbot.
- Board-certified, Family Medicine
- NPI 1104323203, verifiable in NPPES
- LegitScript-certified practice
- HIPAA-compliant video and records
I had a virtual health visit with Dr. Parth Bhavsar on New Year's Eve and had an extremely positive experience. Incredibly responsive his office was — they replied within minutes and were amazingly flexible and patient. He listened carefully to my concerns and was genuinely empathetic.
Wonderful experience! Got off a cruise with a sinus infection and knew I needed antibiotics. Super easy to book, quick appointment, inexpensive, and I got my prescription the same day as well. It was really convenient for me to go this route since I was out of my healthcare network.
It was good & I'm thankful for the service. I have a very busy life, so having easy access like this to Doctors & healthcare, from the comfort of home is amazing. Didn't feel rushed & Dr sent a needed prescription to the pharmacy right away.
How it works
A $79 visit in three steps
- 1
Book online
Pick a same-day or next-available time. Pay $79, use HSA/FSA, or apply in-network insurance where accepted.
- 2
Video visit
Join a secure video visit with Dr. Bhavsar from your phone or computer. No app download.
- 3
Treatment plan
Get a written summary and, when clinically appropriate, an e-prescription sent to your pharmacy.
Commonly treated at the $79 visit
UTI (adult women)Sinus infectionSore throatPink eyeBlood pressure refillsAsthma refillsAll 60+ conditions
Insurance accepted in select states
FAQ
TeleDirectMD vs. Amwell: common questions
Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than Amwell?
No. Cash-pay is $79 at both, based on Mira Health's 2025 comparison; Amwell shows your exact price before the visit. Pick TeleDirectMD if you want a single named MD; pick Amwell if you also need mental health or want the broadest commercial-insurance network.
Does Amwell use real doctors?
Amwell says its visits are with board-certified doctors; for mental health it uses board-certified psychiatrists and licensed psychologists or master's-level therapists per ChoosingTherapy. TeleDirectMD is MD-only.
Does Amwell accept my insurance?
Amwell accepts 55+ commercial plans including Aetna, BCBS, UHC, Beacon, and Emblem per ChoosingTherapy. TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, BCBS, and UHC in select states.
Does Amwell have mental health services?
Yes. Without insurance, therapy is $142 per 45-minute session and psychiatry is $292 for the initial visit per ChoosingTherapy (January 2026). TeleDirectMD does not offer mental health.
Is Amwell available in all 50 states?
Yes per ChoosingTherapy. TeleDirectMD is in 40+ states.
How long is the wait at Amwell?
Under 10 minutes for urgent care per Mira Health's telehealth comparison. TeleDirectMD offers same-day appointments without a published wait-time guarantee.
Can I switch from Amwell to TeleDirectMD?
Yes. Bring your medication list and any recent labs to your first visit. Book at teledirectmd.com/book-online for the $79 flat rate.
Is HSA/FSA accepted at both?
Yes — both Amwell and TeleDirectMD accept HSA/FSA. Use the same HSA/FSA card you would at any qualified medical visit.
$79, a real MD, same-day.
Evenings and weekends in 40+ states. Book in about two minutes.
References
- Amwell — Patient FAQ (24/7, board-certified doctors)
- Amwell — ChoosingTherapy review
- Mira Health — telehealth comparison
Disclaimer and verification
This page is an informational comparison between TeleDirectMD and Amwell. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amwell. Amwell pricing, feature, and coverage claims come from Amwell's public materials and third-party reviews listed above. Prices and features change; check current rates on the Amwell website (https://amwell.com) before booking.
Updated October 13, 2026. Amwell facts verified against official materials and cited sources on October 13, 2026. TeleDirectMD provides telehealth for non-emergency conditions in adults 18+ physically located in one of our 40+ licensed states at the time of the visit. We do not prescribe controlled substances. In an emergency, call 911.
Prescribing limits: before you book
Can TeleDirectMD prescribe IV medications or IM shots?
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe intravenous (IV) medications or intramuscular (IM) medications, except EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) refills when clinically appropriate. This includes IV fluids and infusions, and IM antibiotic or steroid shots. We cannot issue these prescriptions for administration at another clinic or by another provider.
How long can a TeleDirectMD prescription last, including refills?
Every TeleDirectMD prescription, including all refills, covers no more than a 90-day supply. To continue a medication beyond 90 days, you need a new visit. There are no exceptions.