TeleDirectMD vs. Teladoc — short answer:
TeleDirectMD costs $49 per visit and always connects you with a board-certified MD (Dr. Parth Bhavsar). Teladoc charges $89/visit cash-pay (Teladoc) and actively hires NPs and PAs for urgent care, so the provider type isn't patient-selectable. Both are HIPAA-compliant. TeleDirectMD wins on price (44% cheaper) and the named MD-only model. Teladoc wins on 50-state coverage, mental health services, and employer-benefit penetration.
TeleDirectMD vs. Teladoc: 2026 Comparison
Side-by-side, with sources. Cheaper visit at TeleDirectMD; broader reach and mental health at Teladoc.
Teladoc is the largest US telehealth platform by visit volume — well-known, deeply integrated with employers, and a default for many insurance plans. TeleDirectMD is the leaner alternative: a single named board-certified physician at $49 flat across 41 states. This page is an honest, sourced comparison.
- $49 vs. $89 — TeleDirectMD is 44% cheaper for cash-pay urgent care
- Single named board-certified MD vs. mixed MD/NP/PA panel at Teladoc
- Same-day, evenings & weekends — vs. Teladoc 24/7 overnight
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, UHC; Teladoc has broader insurer integration
- No mental health offering at TeleDirectMD — choose Teladoc if therapy or psychiatry is your primary need
Comparison guide last updated 2026-04-26. Last verified against Teladoc 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. $89)
- Bigger reach: Teladoc (50 vs. 41 states)
- Mental health: Teladoc only
- Named MD on every visit: TeleDirectMD only
- Insurance: both accept major plans
- Membership: neither requires one
5.0 ★ from 125 verified patient reviews across Google, Zocdoc, WebMD, and Healthgrades.
TeleDirectMD vs. Teladoc — Side-by-Side
10 dimensions, head-to-head. Every Teladoc claim links to its source. Verified against Teladoc official materials on 2026-04-26.
| Feature | TeleDirectMD | Teladoc |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-pay urgent care visit | $49 flat | $89/visit · source |
| Mental health (cash-pay) | Not offered | $119/therapy visit · source |
| Insurance accepted | Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states) | Yes — many major plans incl. Aetna, BCBS, UHC · source |
| States covered | 41 | All 50 · source |
| Hours / availability | Same-day; evenings & weekends | 24/7 · source |
| Prescriptions | Same-day; pharmacy of your choice | Pharmacy of choice; same-day implied · source |
| Advertised wait time | Not published; same-day appointments | Minutes (testimonial); 24/7 on-demand · source |
| Provider type | MD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified) | MD + NP mix (NPs/PAs hired for urgent care) · source |
| Membership required? | No | No (pay-per-visit without insurance) · source |
| HSA / FSA accepted | Yes | Yes · source |
All Teladoc pricing and feature claims sourced from Teladoc public materials and third-party reviews; see the References section for full citations.
Where Each Platform Wins
Where TeleDirectMD wins
- 44% cheaper cash-pay. $49 flat vs. $89/visit at Teladoc.
- Named MD on every visit. Dr. Parth Bhavsar, board-certified Family Medicine. Teladoc hires NPs and PAs for urgent care; provider type is not patient-selectable.
- No 3rd-party gatekeeping. Direct relationship with the prescribing physician.
- Predictable pricing. Flat $49 — no per-feature pricing tiers.
Where Teladoc wins
- All 50 states. Teladoc covers all 50 states 24/7; TeleDirectMD is in 41. AK, HI, NY, MA, RI, VT, NM, OR, AR are gaps.
- Mental health (therapy + psych). Therapy at $119; psychiatry available. TeleDirectMD does not offer mental health.
- Brand & employer benefits. Teladoc is widely included in employer health plans, often at $0 copay through insurance.
- 24/7 overnight availability. Teladoc is staffed overnight. TeleDirectMD is same-day with evenings/weekends but not overnight.
Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs
Cash-pay urgent care: TeleDirectMD $49 flat; Teladoc $89/visit per Teladoc.com.
Mental health: TeleDirectMD does not offer therapy or psychiatry. Teladoc therapy is $119/visit.
Insurance: both platforms accept major plans. Teladoc lists Aetna, BCBS, UHC and many more in its insurance FAQ; TeleDirectMD is in-network with Aetna, BCBS, UHC in select states. Use whichever produces the lower copay for your plan.
HSA / FSA: accepted at both — Teladoc confirms.
Provider Quality Deep-Dive
TeleDirectMD = Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD only. Board-certified Family Medicine. NPI 1245687134. The same physician you saw last visit is the one you see this visit.
Teladoc actively hires NPs and PAs for urgent care visits. Provider type and credential are not patient-selectable. Most patients will encounter a mix of MDs, NPs, and PAs over repeat visits.
For straightforward acute conditions (UTI, sinus infection, strep, refills), an NP or PA is clinically appropriate. For patients who specifically want an MD-led visit, TeleDirectMD is the only major platform that guarantees it.
State Coverage: TeleDirectMD vs. Teladoc
TeleDirectMD is licensed in 41 states. Teladoc state coverage is listed in the comparison table above (with source). If your state isn\'t on the TeleDirectMD list below, Teladoc or another platform may be a better fit.
Prescription Handling
TeleDirectMD: same-day e-prescription to your pharmacy of choice. Most prescriptions are at the pharmacy within 30 minutes of the visit ending. No controlled substances.
Teladoc: prescriptions sent to your pharmacy of choice; same-day implied per Teladoc but not explicitly time-bounded. No controlled substances.
Both platforms work with retail (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) and independent pharmacies. Use GoodRx, Cost Plus Drugs, or Amazon Pharmacy to comparison-shop generic prices.
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
Sarah switched from Teladoc to TeleDirectMD (GA)
Suspected UTI on a Saturday night. Teladoc visit was $89 + $8 antibiotic = $97. Switched to TeleDirectMD: $49 + $8 = $57.
Saved $40 per visit.
David — Teladoc through employer (CO)
Has Teladoc benefit at $0 copay through his job. TeleDirectMD would cost $49 cash.
Use Teladoc — it's already paid for.
Marisa — needs therapy (NY)
NY isn't a TeleDirectMD state, and she needs therapy. Teladoc covers both at $119/therapy visit.
Teladoc is the right call.
Compare TeleDirectMD to Other Telehealth Platforms
Related Cost Guides
How Much Does an Online Doctor Visit Cost in 2026? · UTI Treatment 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 mental health (therapy or psychiatry)?
Choose Teladoc — TeleDirectMD does not offer mental health services.
In one of TeleDirectMD's 41 states and paying cash?
TeleDirectMD's $49 beats Teladoc's $89 by 44%.
Teladoc included in your employer benefits at $0?
Use what's free. Teladoc through employer benefits is often $0 copay.
Want a named, single physician?
TeleDirectMD's MD-only model with Dr. Bhavsar provides continuity Teladoc cannot.
Who Fits Which Platform
Choose TeleDirectMD if…
- You're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan and want the lowest cash-pay rate
- You want a single named MD on every visit
- You're in one of the 41 TeleDirectMD states
- You don't need overnight or mental health services
Choose Teladoc if…
- You need 24/7 overnight access
- You're in AK, HI, NY, MA, RI, VT, NM, OR, AR (TeleDirectMD coverage gaps)
- You need therapy or psychiatry alongside urgent care
- Teladoc is included in your employer benefits at low/no cost
$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. Teladoc
Teladoc pricing per source. TeleDirectMD published flat rate.
Frequently Asked Questions — TeleDirectMD vs. Teladoc
Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than Teladoc?
Yes for cash-pay. TeleDirectMD is $49 flat; Teladoc is $89 per visit per Teladoc's no-insurance pricing page. That's a 44% discount at TeleDirectMD.
Does Teladoc use real doctors?
A mix. Teladoc actively hires NPs and PAs for urgent care per a public job posting on LinkedIn. Provider type is not patient-selectable. TeleDirectMD is MD-only with Dr. Parth Bhavsar.
Does Teladoc cover all 50 states?
Yes — all 50 states 24/7 per Teladoc's employer page. TeleDirectMD is in 41 states with same-day, evenings, and weekends.
Can I switch from Teladoc to TeleDirectMD?
Yes. TeleDirectMD is a separate platform; nothing carries over from Teladoc. Bring your medication list and recent labs to your first visit and book at teledirectmd.com/book-online.
Does TeleDirectMD offer mental health like Teladoc does?
No. TeleDirectMD does not offer therapy or psychiatry. Teladoc offers therapy at $119/visit and has psychiatry. If mental health is your primary need, choose Teladoc.
Is HSA/FSA accepted at both?
Yes, both TeleDirectMD and Teladoc accept HSA/FSA per Teladoc's insurance FAQ. Use the same HSA/FSA card you would at any qualified medical visit.
Which is faster?
Teladoc advertises 24/7 on-demand connection in minutes. TeleDirectMD offers same-day appointments including evenings and weekends but is not 24/7 overnight.
Does Teladoc accept the same insurance as TeleDirectMD?
Both accept Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare. Teladoc accepts a broader set including many additional plans per its insurance FAQ. Compare your specific plan benefits to see which produces the lower copay.
$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 Teladoc. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Teladoc. All Teladoc pricing, feature, and coverage claims are sourced from Teladoc\'s public materials and third-party reviews; see the References section for citations. Pricing and features change — always verify current rates on the Teladoc website (https://www.teladochealth.com/start/no-insurance) before booking.
Comparison guide last updated 2026-04-26. Last verified against Teladoc 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.