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Is TeleDirectMD a better telehealth option than Doctor on Demand?

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). Doctor on Demand (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; Doctor on Demand 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. Doctor on Demand: 2026 Comparison

Doctor on Demand is one of the few major telehealth platforms accepting Medicare Part B. TeleDirectMD's published cash-pay price is about 20% lower, with a named-MD guarantee.

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

Doctor on Demand

doctorondemand.com

$99 per visit

Who you see
Board-certified MDs + NPs (urgent care)
Insurance
Yes; BCBS plans, UHC, select Humana plans, Medicare Part B, others
Coverage
All 50
Membership
No (free account; pay per visit)

The short answer

TeleDirectMD is $79 flat. Doctor on Demand charges $99 per urgent care visit cash-pay (Doctor on Demand) and offers therapy at $134 (25 min) and psychiatry at $299 initial. Doctor on Demand accepts Medicare Part B (DoD) plus a broad commercial network. Both are HIPAA-compliant. TeleDirectMD has the lower published cash-pay visit price (about 20% less). Doctor on Demand lists $0 visits for some health plans and employer benefits, which can make it the better deal for covered patients. Doctor on Demand wins on Medicare, mental health, and 50-state reach.

Side by side

TeleDirectMD vs. Doctor on Demand, point by point

Ten things that matter when you pick a telehealth service. Every Doctor on Demand claim links to its source.

What you're comparingTeleDirectMDDoctor on Demand
Cash-pay urgent care visit$79 flat$99/visitsource
Mental health (cash-pay)Not offered$134 (25-min therapy); $299 psych initialsource
Insurance acceptedAetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states)Yes; BCBS plans, UHC, select Humana plans, Medicare Part B, otherssource
States covered40+ statesAll 50source
Hours / availabilitySame-day; evenings & weekends24/7 urgent care; mental health scheduledsource
PrescriptionsSame-day; pharmacy of your choiceSent to the pharmacy you choosesource
Advertised wait timeNot published; same-day appointments<5 min (urgent care)source
Provider typeMD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified)Board-certified MDs + NPs (urgent care)source
Membership required?NoNo (free account; pay per visit)source
HSA / FSA acceptedYesYes (HSA/FSA debit card)source

Which to choose

An honest call: each one wins somewhere

Choose TeleDirectMD if

  • Lower published cash-pay price. $79 flat vs. $99 at Doctor on Demand.
  • Named MD only. TeleDirectMD = Dr. Bhavsar. Doctor on Demand uses MDs and NPs per its FAQ.
  • Predictable pricing. Flat $79 vs. tiered per-service pricing.

Choose Doctor on Demand if

Quick picks

  1. On Medicare Part B?Doctor on Demand — TeleDirectMD does not accept Medicare.
  2. Need therapy or psychiatry?Doctor on Demand — TeleDirectMD doesn't offer mental health.
  3. Cash-paying in one of TeleDirectMD's 40+ states?$79 flat is about 20% below Doctor on Demand's published $99 cash price.
  4. Want a named MD on every visit?TeleDirectMD's MD-only model with Dr. Bhavsar provides continuity Doctor on Demand cannot.

The details

Price, providers, prescriptions and coverage

Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs

Cash-pay urgent care: TeleDirectMD $79 flat; Doctor on Demand $99/visit per Doctor on Demand. Difference: $20 per visit.

Mental health: $134 / 25-min therapy; $299 psychiatry initial. TeleDirectMD doesn't offer mental health.

Medicare: Doctor on Demand accepts Medicare Part B; TeleDirectMD does not currently accept Medicare. For Medicare beneficiaries, Doctor on Demand is the right call. Its cost page also lists $0 visits for some commercial plans and employer benefits.

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.

Doctor on Demand: board-certified MDs and NPs for urgent care per its FAQ. Provider type is not patient-selectable.

Prescription Handling

TeleDirectMD: same-day e-prescription to your pharmacy of choice. No controlled substances.

Doctor on Demand: prescriptions go to the pharmacy you choose per its FAQ; refills are limited to medications its own clinicians prescribed. No controlled substances.

TeleDirectMD
$79
Doctor on Demand
from $99

Published cash-pay visit price. Doctor on Demand per source; insured patients may pay a lower copay at either service.

Parth Bhavsar, MD, board-certified family medicine physician

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

4.97 from 173 verified reviews on Google, Zocdoc, WebMD and Healthgrades

★★★★★
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.
C.E. · Google
★★★★★
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.
V.D. · Google
★★★★★
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.
D.H. · Zocdoc

How it works

A $79 visit in three steps

  1. 1

    Book online

    Pick a same-day or next-available time. Pay $79, use HSA/FSA, or apply in-network insurance where accepted.

  2. 2

    Video visit

    Join a secure video visit with Dr. Bhavsar from your phone or computer. No app download.

  3. 3

    Treatment plan

    Get a written summary and, when clinically appropriate, an e-prescription sent to your pharmacy.

FAQ

TeleDirectMD vs. Doctor on Demand: common questions

Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than Doctor on Demand?

Yes for cash-pay urgent care: $79 vs. $99 per Doctor on Demand. That's about 20% less at TeleDirectMD. Doctor on Demand lists $0 visits for some health plans and employer benefits, so check your coverage first.

Does Doctor on Demand use real doctors?

A mix — board-certified MDs and NPs for urgent care per Doctor on Demand's FAQ. TeleDirectMD is MD-only with Dr. Parth Bhavsar.

Does Doctor on Demand accept Medicare?

Yes — Doctor on Demand accepts Medicare Part B per its website. TeleDirectMD does not currently accept Medicare.

Does Doctor on Demand cover all 50 states?

Yes. Doctor on Demand's FAQ says it is available across the United States, but not in Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. TeleDirectMD covers 40+ states.

Can I switch from Doctor on Demand to TeleDirectMD?

Yes. Bring your medication list and recent labs. Book at teledirectmd.com/book-online for the $79 flat rate. No paperwork carries over from Doctor on Demand.

Does Doctor on Demand have mental health?

Yes — therapy at $134 (25 min) and psychiatry at $299 initial per Doctor on Demand. TeleDirectMD does not offer mental health.

How fast is Doctor on Demand?

Under 5 minutes for urgent care per Software Finder. TeleDirectMD offers same-day evenings/weekends without a published wait-time guarantee.

Is Humana accepted at TeleDirectMD?

No. Doctor on Demand lists select Humana plans on its website. TeleDirectMD currently accepts Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare in select states.

$79, a real MD, same-day.

Evenings and weekends in 40+ states. Book in about two minutes.

References

  1. Doctor on Demand — Cost & insurance
  2. Doctor on Demand — FAQs
  3. Doctor on Demand — Homepage
  4. Software Finder — Doctor on Demand pricing
  5. Hello Klarity — Sesame alternatives

Disclaimer and verification

This page is an informational comparison between TeleDirectMD and Doctor on Demand. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Doctor on Demand. Doctor on Demand pricing, feature, and coverage claims come from Doctor on Demand's public materials and third-party reviews listed above. Prices and features change; check current rates on the Doctor on Demand website (https://doctorondemand.com) before booking.

Updated October 13, 2026. Doctor on Demand 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.

$79 Flat FeeInsurance accepted in select states
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