TeleDirectMD vs. MDLIVE — short answer:
TeleDirectMD is $49 flat with a single named MD across 41 states. MDLIVE is $85/visit cash-pay (Healthline) — or $89 per Mira Health — and serves all 50 states + Puerto Rico (MDLIVE) with dermatology, therapy, and psychiatry. Both are HIPAA-compliant. TeleDirectMD wins on price (~42% cheaper). MDLIVE wins on reach, dermatology, and mental health.
TeleDirectMD vs. MDLIVE: 2026 Comparison
TeleDirectMD optimizes for cost and physician continuity; MDLIVE optimizes for breadth (mental health, dermatology, 50-state coverage).
MDLIVE has 50-state coverage plus Puerto Rico, board-certified providers averaging 15 years of experience per MDLIVE FAQ, and offers urgent care, dermatology, mental health therapy, and psychiatry. TeleDirectMD focuses on doing one thing — adult primary and urgent care — at the lowest published flat rate.
- $49 vs. $85 — TeleDirectMD is ~42% cheaper cash-pay
- Named MD on every visit (Dr. Bhavsar) — MDLIVE rotates through a panel
- No mental health, dermatology, or pediatrics at TeleDirectMD — MDLIVE covers those
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, UHC; MDLIVE has Cigna, Humana, BCBS, Regence and others
- Same-day evenings/weekends; MDLIVE is 24/7
Comparison guide last updated 2026-04-26. Last verified against MDLIVE official pricing on 2026-04-26. Reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD — Board-Certified Family Medicine · NPI 1245687134 · LegitScript Certified · HIPAA-Compliant.
Quick Answer
- Cheaper urgent care: TeleDirectMD ($49 vs. $85)
- Bigger reach: MDLIVE (50 + PR vs. 41 states)
- Dermatology: MDLIVE only
- Mental health: MDLIVE only
- Named MD on every visit: TeleDirectMD only
- Insurance: both accept major plans
5.0 ★ from 125 verified patient reviews across Google, Zocdoc, WebMD, and Healthgrades.
TeleDirectMD vs. MDLIVE — Side-by-Side
10 dimensions, head-to-head. Every MDLIVE claim links to its source. Verified against MDLIVE official materials on 2026-04-26.
| Feature | TeleDirectMD | MDLIVE |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-pay urgent care visit | $49 flat | $85/visit · source |
| Mental health (cash-pay) | Not offered | $179 initial therapy; $299 initial psych · source |
| Insurance accepted | Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states) | Yes — Cigna, Humana, BCBS, Regence, others · source |
| States covered | 41 | All 50 + Puerto Rico · source |
| Hours / availability | Same-day; evenings & weekends | 24/7 · source |
| Prescriptions | Same-day; pharmacy of your choice | Preferred pharmacy; short-term renewals available · source |
| Advertised wait time | Not published; same-day appointments | ≤15 min for urgent care · source |
| Provider type | MD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified) | Board-certified MDs; avg 15 yrs experience · source |
| Membership required? | No | No · source |
| HSA / FSA accepted | Yes | Yes · source |
All MDLIVE pricing and feature claims sourced from MDLIVE public materials and third-party reviews; see the References section for full citations.
Where Each Platform Wins
Where TeleDirectMD wins
- ~42% cheaper cash-pay. $49 flat vs. $85 at MDLIVE.
- Single named physician. TeleDirectMD = Dr. Parth Bhavsar on every visit. MDLIVE rotates through its provider panel.
- Predictable, simple pricing. One product, one price.
Where MDLIVE wins
- 50 states + Puerto Rico. MDLIVE covers all 50 states + Puerto Rico; TeleDirectMD is 41.
- Integrated dermatology. MDLIVE has a dedicated dermatology service line per its FAQ. TeleDirectMD does not.
- Mental health (therapy + psych). Therapy at $179 initial / $140 follow-up per ChoosingTherapy; psychiatry at $299 initial. TeleDirectMD does not offer mental health.
- 24/7 availability. MDLIVE is staffed 24/7. TeleDirectMD is same-day with evenings and weekends but not overnight.
- Broader insurer network. MDLIVE accepts Cigna, Humana, and Regence; TeleDirectMD does not.
Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs
Cash-pay urgent care: TeleDirectMD $49 flat; MDLIVE $85/visit per Healthline (Mira Health reports $89). Difference: ~$36 per visit.
Mental health: TeleDirectMD doesn't offer it. MDLIVE therapy is $179 initial / $140 follow-up; psychiatry $299 initial.
Dermatology: MDLIVE offers a separate dermatology service line; TeleDirectMD does not.
Insurance: MDLIVE's network includes Cigna, Humana, BCBS, and Regence; TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, BCBS, and UHC. If you have Cigna or Humana, MDLIVE may be in-network where TeleDirectMD isn't.
Provider Quality Deep-Dive
TeleDirectMD: MD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar, board-certified Family Medicine, NPI 1245687134.
MDLIVE: board-certified providers averaging 15 years of experience, but the FAQ does not explicitly restrict to MDs only. Provider type may vary by service line.
For specialty needs (dermatology, psychiatry), MDLIVE has dedicated specialists. For adult primary and urgent care from a single named MD, TeleDirectMD is the simpler choice.
State Coverage: TeleDirectMD vs. MDLIVE
TeleDirectMD is licensed in 41 states. MDLIVE state coverage is listed in the comparison table above (with source). If your state isn\'t on the TeleDirectMD list below, MDLIVE or another platform may be a better fit.
Prescription Handling
TeleDirectMD: e-prescription to your pharmacy of choice within ~30 min of the visit ending. No controlled substances.
MDLIVE: prescriptions sent to your preferred pharmacy; short-term renewals available. No controlled substances.
Why TeleDirectMD: A Real Doctor, Not an Algorithm
When you visit TeleDirectMD, you see Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD — a board-certified Family Medicine physician licensed in 41 states. Not a panel of rotating providers, not a physician assistant, not a chatbot.
- Board-certified Family Medicine — University of Mississippi Medical Center
- NPI 1245687134 — verifiable in the NPPES NPI Registry
- 5.0 ★ across 125 verified reviews (Google, Zocdoc, WebMD, Healthgrades)
- LegitScript-certified telehealth practice
- HIPAA-compliant platform — encrypted video, secure records, no data resale
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare in select states
Patient Reviews — 5.0 / 5 Across 125 Verified Reviews
Verified patient ratings of Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD aggregated from independent third-party review platforms:
Conditions Commonly Treated at the $49 Visit
The same flat $49 visit covers any of these adult conditions:
Insurance Accepted (Select States)
TeleDirectMD is in-network with three major insurers. Your standard telehealth copay applies in place of the $49 self-pay fee.
Don\'t see your plan? View all insurance options or book the flat $49 self-pay visit.
Real Patient Scenarios
Marcus — sinus infection (FL)
TeleDirectMD: $49 visit + $9 amoxicillin = $58. MDLIVE: $85 + $9 = $94.
TeleDirectMD saves $36.
Lara switched from MDLIVE — eczema (CA)
Initially used MDLIVE for derm. Now uses TeleDirectMD for primary care and stays on MDLIVE for derm follow-ups.
Best of both — $49 for primary, MDLIVE for derm-specific.
Aaron — Cigna-insured (TX)
Cigna is not in-network with TeleDirectMD. MDLIVE is. He uses MDLIVE for in-network rate; TeleDirectMD's $49 cash is still an option if his deductible is unmet.
Compare both — depends on plan benefits.
Compare TeleDirectMD to Other Telehealth Platforms
Related Cost Guides
How Much Does an Online Doctor Visit Cost in 2026? · Sinus Infection Cost
How a $49 TeleDirectMD Visit Works
Book online
Pick a same-day or next-available appointment at teledirectmd.com/book-online. Pay $49 at checkout (or use HSA/FSA, or apply your in-network insurance).
Connect by video
At your appointment time, click the link to start a secure video visit with Dr. Bhavsar. No app download. Most visits take 10–15 minutes.
Get treated, fill the script
Receive a diagnosis, a written visit summary, and an e-prescription routed to your pharmacy of choice — usually within 30 minutes of the visit.
Which One Fits Your Situation?
Need dermatology, therapy, or psychiatry?
Choose MDLIVE — TeleDirectMD does not offer those service lines.
Have Cigna or Humana insurance?
MDLIVE is in-network with both. TeleDirectMD currently is not.
Live in one of the 41 TeleDirectMD states?
Cash-pay $49 beats MDLIVE's $85 by ~42%.
Want a named MD on every visit?
TeleDirectMD's MD-only model with Dr. Bhavsar guarantees continuity MDLIVE doesn't.
Who Fits Which Platform
Choose TeleDirectMD if…
- You want the lowest cash-pay rate from a board-certified MD
- You're in one of the 41 states
- You only need adult primary/urgent care
- You value seeing the same physician every visit
Choose MDLIVE if…
- You need dermatology, therapy, or psychiatry
- You're in AK, HI, Puerto Rico, or a state TeleDirectMD doesn't cover
- You need overnight 24/7 access
- Your insurer is Cigna or Humana (not currently TeleDirectMD-supported)
$49 Flat. HSA / FSA Accepted.
- Board-certified MD video consultation
- E-prescription to any US pharmacy
- HSA / FSA-eligible
- No facility fees, no surprise billing
- Receipt suitable for travel-insurance reimbursement
Cash-Pay Cost vs. MDLIVE
MDLIVE pricing per source. TeleDirectMD published flat rate.
Frequently Asked Questions — TeleDirectMD vs. MDLIVE
Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than MDLIVE?
Yes for cash-pay urgent care: $49 vs. $85 per Healthline's MDLIVE review. That's a ~42% discount at TeleDirectMD.
Does MDLIVE use real doctors?
MDLIVE advertises board-certified providers averaging 15 years of experience per its FAQ but does not explicitly restrict to MDs only across all service lines. TeleDirectMD is MD-only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar.
Does MDLIVE cover all 50 states?
Yes — all 50 states plus Puerto Rico per MDLIVE's FAQ. TeleDirectMD covers 41 states.
Can I switch from MDLIVE to TeleDirectMD?
Yes. TeleDirectMD is a separate platform; bring your medication list and any recent labs to your first visit. Book at teledirectmd.com/book-online for a $49 flat-rate visit.
Does TeleDirectMD have dermatology like MDLIVE?
No. MDLIVE offers a dedicated dermatology service. TeleDirectMD focuses on adult primary and urgent care — not dermatology, therapy, or psychiatry.
Which has the shorter wait?
MDLIVE advertises ≤15 min wait for urgent care per Healthline. TeleDirectMD offers same-day evenings/weekends without a published wait-time guarantee.
Does MDLIVE accept HSA/FSA?
Yes — both platforms accept HSA/FSA per Healthline's MDLIVE review. Use the same HSA/FSA card you would at any qualified medical visit.
Is MDLIVE in-network with my insurance?
MDLIVE accepts Cigna, Humana, BCBS, Regence, and others per Healthline. TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare in select states. Compare your specific plan.
$49. Live MD video. 41 states. Same-day evenings & weekends.
If TeleDirectMD fits your situation per the comparison above, book a visit in under two minutes.
Disclaimer & Verification
This page is an informational comparison between TeleDirectMD and MDLIVE. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by MDLIVE. All MDLIVE pricing, feature, and coverage claims are sourced from MDLIVE\'s public materials and third-party reviews; see the References section for citations. Pricing and features change — always verify current rates on the MDLIVE website (https://www.mdlive.com) before booking.
Comparison guide last updated 2026-04-26. Last verified against MDLIVE official pricing on 2026-04-26. TeleDirectMD provides telehealth services for non-emergency conditions in adults 18+ physically located in one of our 41 licensed states at the time of the visit. We do not prescribe controlled substances. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.