TeleDirectMD vs. Sesame Care — short answer:
TeleDirectMD is $49 flat with a single named MD across 41 states. Sesame is a marketplace where independent providers set their own rates — acute care can start as low as $29–$37 per Healthline but varies widely by location and provider; provider type is mixed (ChoosingTherapy). Sesame does not accept insurance. Both are HIPAA-compliant. TeleDirectMD wins on predictability, MD-only credentials, and insurance acceptance. Sesame wins on potential floor price and breadth of specialist types.
TeleDirectMD vs. Sesame Care: 2026 Comparison
Sesame is a price-transparent marketplace; TeleDirectMD is a flat-rate single-physician practice. Different models — here's how to choose.
Sesame Care lists hundreds of independent providers across all 50 states with prices set per provider per visit, often starting at $29–$37 for acute care per Healthline. The marketplace model means provider quality, credentials, and rates vary sharply by market — and Sesame does not accept insurance per ChoosingTherapy. TeleDirectMD's value is the opposite: one physician, one rate, predictable everywhere.
- Flat $49 vs. variable $29–$37+ at Sesame
- Single named board-certified MD vs. mixed credentials marketplace
- TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare; Sesame accepts no insurance
- Sesame can undercut $49 in some markets; not in all
- Sesame has specialist types TeleDirectMD doesn't — dermatology, weight loss, etc.
Comparison guide last updated 2026-04-26. Last verified against Sesame official pricing on 2026-04-26. Reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD — Board-Certified Family Medicine · NPI 1245687134 · LegitScript Certified · HIPAA-Compliant.
Quick Answer
- Lowest floor price: Sesame ($29–$37+, varies by provider)
- Predictable price: TeleDirectMD ($49 flat)
- Named MD on every visit: TeleDirectMD only
- Insurance accepted: TeleDirectMD only (Aetna, BCBS, UHC)
- Specialist types: Sesame (dermatology, weight loss, etc.)
- Membership optional: Sesame Plus $10.99/mo
5.0 ★ from 125 verified patient reviews across Google, Zocdoc, WebMD, and Healthgrades.
TeleDirectMD vs. Sesame — Side-by-Side
10 dimensions, head-to-head. Every Sesame claim links to its source. Verified against Sesame official materials on 2026-04-26.
| Feature | TeleDirectMD | Sesame |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-pay urgent care visit | $49 flat | From $29–$37 (provider-set; varies) · source |
| Mental health (cash-pay) | Not offered | From $29 (therapy); $80 psych initial · source |
| Insurance accepted | Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states) | No (bills provided for self-submission) · source |
| States covered | 41 | All 50 · source |
| Hours / availability | Same-day; evenings & weekends | Same-day; varies by provider · source |
| Prescriptions | Same-day; pharmacy of your choice | Local pharmacy or $5/30-day generic supply · source |
| Advertised wait time | Not published; same-day appointments | Same-day; varies by provider · source |
| Provider type | MD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified) | Mixed: MDs, NPs, PAs (provider-set) · source |
| Membership required? | No | Optional: $10.99/mo (Sesame Plus) · source |
| HSA / FSA accepted | Yes | Not stated · source |
All Sesame pricing and feature claims sourced from Sesame public materials and third-party reviews; see the References section for full citations.
Where Each Platform Wins
Where TeleDirectMD wins
- Predictable, flat pricing. $49 every time — vs. provider-set rates that vary by city and clinic at Sesame.
- Named MD only. TeleDirectMD = Dr. Bhavsar. Sesame uses a mix of MDs, NPs, and PAs.
- Insurance accepted. TeleDirectMD is in-network with Aetna, BCBS, UHC. Sesame does not accept any insurance.
- No membership tier. No upcharge for "Sesame Plus" or similar.
Where Sesame wins
- Lower floor price. Acute care can start at $29–$37 in some markets — below $49.
- All 50 states. Sesame has providers in all 50 states; TeleDirectMD is 41.
- Specialist breadth. Dermatology, weight loss, endocrinology, and more on Sesame's marketplace. TeleDirectMD is adult primary/urgent care only.
- $5 / 30-day generic supply. Sesame offers a $5/30-day generic medication option.
Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs
Cash-pay urgent care: TeleDirectMD $49 flat. Sesame: starts at $29–$37 in some markets but varies sharply. Major metros tend to have higher prices; smaller markets sometimes have lower floors.
Mental health: Sesame therapy from $29; psychiatry from $80 initial. TeleDirectMD doesn't offer mental health.
Insurance: TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, BCBS, UHC; Sesame accepts none. If you have insurance and want to use it, TeleDirectMD is the better fit.
Provider Quality Deep-Dive
TeleDirectMD: MD only — Dr. Bhavsar.
Sesame: mix of MDs, NPs, and PAs, with provider credentials displayed in the marketplace listings. Quality and continuity vary by provider.
Sesame's value is breadth (specialty types, low floor prices); TeleDirectMD's value is uniformity (same MD every time).
State Coverage: TeleDirectMD vs. Sesame
TeleDirectMD is licensed in 41 states. Sesame state coverage is listed in the comparison table above (with source). If your state isn\'t on the TeleDirectMD list below, Sesame or another platform may be a better fit.
Prescription Handling
TeleDirectMD: e-prescription to your pharmacy of choice within ~30 min of the visit.
Sesame: prescriptions to your local pharmacy, plus an optional $5/30-day generic supply program — competitive with GoodRx for some medications.
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
Tariq — uninsured (TX)
Local Sesame providers showing $32 for an acute visit; TeleDirectMD is $49. Provider type and credentials vary on Sesame.
Sesame may save $17 today; trade-off is provider variability.
Hema switched from Sesame — Aetna in-network (PA)
Was paying full cash on Sesame. TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna in PA; Sesame doesn't. With insurance, TeleDirectMD's copay is far below Sesame's cash rate.
TeleDirectMD via Aetna copay.
Anika — needs derm (CA)
Acne with mild scarring. TeleDirectMD doesn't do dermatology; Sesame has board-certified dermatologists.
Use Sesame.
Compare TeleDirectMD to Other Telehealth Platforms
Related Cost Guides
How Much Does an Online Doctor Visit Cost in 2026? · Online Prescription 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 a specialist (derm, weight loss, etc.)?
Sesame — TeleDirectMD is adult primary/urgent care only.
Have Aetna, BCBS, or UHC and want to use it?
TeleDirectMD — Sesame does not accept insurance.
Have time to shop providers and want the lowest possible price?
Sesame can undercut $49 in some markets — but rates vary widely.
Want a single named MD and predictable pricing?
TeleDirectMD's $49 flat with Dr. Bhavsar is the cleanest option.
Who Fits Which Platform
Choose TeleDirectMD if…
- You want one named physician, every visit
- Predictable pricing matters
- You want to use Aetna, BCBS, or UHC insurance
- You're in one of the 41 states
Choose Sesame if…
- You want the lowest possible cash price (and your local market has it)
- You need a specialist type TeleDirectMD doesn't cover (dermatology, weight loss, etc.)
- You're in AK, HI, or another state TeleDirectMD doesn't cover
- You don't mind shopping providers
$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. Sesame
Sesame pricing per source. TeleDirectMD published flat rate.
Frequently Asked Questions — TeleDirectMD vs. Sesame
Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than Sesame?
Sometimes. Sesame's acute care can start at $29–$37 per Healthline below TeleDirectMD's $49. But Sesame rates vary by city and provider; TeleDirectMD is $49 flat in all 41 states.
Does Sesame use real doctors?
Sesame is a marketplace with a mix of MDs, NPs, and PAs per ChoosingTherapy. Provider credentials are displayed per listing. TeleDirectMD is MD-only with Dr. Parth Bhavsar.
Does Sesame accept insurance?
No — Sesame does not accept insurance per ChoosingTherapy, though they provide bills for self-submission. TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, BCBS, and UHC in select states.
Does Sesame cover all 50 states?
Yes per ChoosingTherapy, though provider density varies by market. TeleDirectMD is in 41 states.
Can I switch from Sesame to TeleDirectMD?
Yes. TeleDirectMD is a separate platform; bring your medication list and any recent labs. Book at teledirectmd.com/book-online for the $49 flat rate.
Does Sesame have a membership?
Optional Sesame Plus is $10.99/month for additional discounts per ChoosingTherapy. TeleDirectMD has no membership tier.
Can I get a $5 generic via Sesame?
Yes — Sesame offers a $5 / 30-day generic supply option per Healthline. TeleDirectMD prescribes to your pharmacy of choice; use GoodRx for generic discounts.
Why would I pay more for TeleDirectMD?
For a single named physician with predictable pricing, MD-only credentials, and insurance acceptance. Sesame is good if you want the lowest floor price and don't mind variable providers.
$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 Sesame. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Sesame. All Sesame pricing, feature, and coverage claims are sourced from Sesame\'s public materials and third-party reviews; see the References section for citations. Pricing and features change — always verify current rates on the Sesame website (https://sesamecare.com) before booking.
Comparison guide last updated 2026-04-26. Last verified against Sesame 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.