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 MDLIVE?
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). MDLIVE (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; MDLIVE 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. MDLIVE: 2026 Comparison
TeleDirectMD optimizes for cost and physician continuity; MDLIVE optimizes for breadth (mental health, dermatology, 50-state coverage).
MDLIVE
$85 per visit
About $85/visit (third-party; MDLIVE shows exact price before visit)
- Who you see
- Board-certified, state-licensed doctors; avg 15+ yrs experience
- Insurance
- Yes — Cigna, Humana, BCBS, Regence, others
- Coverage
- All 50 + Puerto Rico
- Membership
- No
The short answer
TeleDirectMD is $79 flat with a single named MD across 40+ 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 has the lower reported cash-pay visit price (about 7% to 11% less; MDLIVE shows your exact price before the visit). If your health plan or employer covers MDLIVE, visits can cost as little as $0 (MDLIVE FAQ). MDLIVE wins on reach, dermatology, and mental health.
Reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD, Board-Certified Family Medicine. Updated October 13, 2026; MDLIVE facts verified against official materials and cited sources on October 13, 2026.
Side by side
TeleDirectMD vs. MDLIVE, point by point
Ten things that matter when you pick a telehealth service. Every MDLIVE claim links to its source.
What you're comparingTeleDirectMDMDLIVE
Cash-pay urgent care visit$79 flatAbout $85/visit (third-party; MDLIVE shows exact price before visit)source
Insurance acceptedAetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states)Yes — Cigna, Humana, BCBS, Regence, otherssource
PrescriptionsSame-day; pharmacy of your choicePreferred pharmacy; short-term renewals availablesource
Provider typeMD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified)Board-certified, state-licensed doctors; avg 15+ yrs experiencesource
Which to choose
An honest call: each one wins somewhere
Choose TeleDirectMD if
- Lower reported cash-pay price. $79 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.
Choose MDLIVE if
- 50 states + Puerto Rico. MDLIVE covers all 50 states + Puerto Rico; TeleDirectMD covers 40+ states.
- 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.
Quick picks
- 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 TeleDirectMD's 40+ states?Cash-pay $79 is about 7% below MDLIVE's reported $85.
- Want a named MD on every visit?TeleDirectMD's MD-only model with Dr. Bhavsar guarantees continuity MDLIVE doesn't.
The details
Price, providers, prescriptions and coverage
Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs
Cash-pay urgent care: TeleDirectMD $79 flat; MDLIVE $85/visit per Healthline (Mira Health reports $89). Difference: about $6–$10 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, and MDLIVE says visits can cost as little as $0 depending on your plan or 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, board-certified Family Medicine, NPI 1104323203.
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.
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.
State coverage
TeleDirectMD is licensed in 40+ states. MDLIVE: All 50 + Puerto Rico.
Check whether TeleDirectMD serves your state. If it doesn't, MDLIVE 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. MDLIVE: common questions
Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than MDLIVE?
Yes for cash-pay urgent care: $79 vs. about $85 per Healthline's MDLIVE review (MDLIVE shows your exact price before the visit). If your health plan or employer covers MDLIVE, a visit can cost as little as $0, so check your benefits first.
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 40+ 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 $79 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.
$79, a real MD, same-day.
Evenings and weekends in 40+ states. Book in about two minutes.
References
- MDLIVE FAQ — provider info
- MDLIVE state coverage
- Healthline — MDLIVE review
- ChoosingTherapy — MDLIVE review
- Mira Health — telehealth comparison
Disclaimer and verification
This page is an informational comparison between TeleDirectMD and MDLIVE. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by MDLIVE. MDLIVE pricing, feature, and coverage claims come from MDLIVE's public materials and third-party reviews listed above. Prices and features change; check current rates on the MDLIVE website (https://www.mdlive.com) before booking.
Updated October 13, 2026. MDLIVE 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.