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 Teladoc?
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). Teladoc (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; Teladoc 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. Teladoc: 2026 Comparison
Side-by-side, with sources. Lower cash-pay price at TeleDirectMD; broader reach and mental health at Teladoc.
Teladoc
$89 per visit
- Who you see
- MDs, DOs + NPs (per Teladoc 24/7 Care FAQ)
- Insurance
- Yes; offered by many health plans and employers (as low as $0/visit with some benefits)
- Coverage
- All 50
- Membership
- No (pay-per-visit without insurance)
The short answer
TeleDirectMD costs $79 per visit and always connects you with a board-certified MD (Dr. Parth Bhavsar). Teladoc charges $89/visit cash-pay (Teladoc) and staffs its 24/7 urgent care with MDs, DOs, and nurse practitioners, so the provider type isn't patient-selectable. Both are HIPAA-compliant. TeleDirectMD has the lower published cash-pay visit price (about 11% less) and the named MD-only model. If your health plan or employer covers Teladoc, a general medical visit can cost as little as $0, which can make Teladoc the better deal. Teladoc wins on 50-state coverage, mental health services, and employer-benefit penetration.
Reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD, Board-Certified Family Medicine. Updated October 13, 2026; Teladoc facts verified against official materials and cited sources on October 13, 2026.
Side by side
TeleDirectMD vs. Teladoc, point by point
Ten things that matter when you pick a telehealth service. Every Teladoc claim links to its source.
What you're comparingTeleDirectMDTeladoc
Insurance acceptedAetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states)Yes; offered by many health plans and employers (as low as $0/visit with some benefits)source
Provider typeMD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified)MDs, DOs + NPs (per Teladoc 24/7 Care FAQ)source
Which to choose
An honest call: each one wins somewhere
Choose TeleDirectMD if
- About 11% lower published cash-pay price. $79 flat vs. $89/visit at Teladoc.
- Named MD on every visit. Dr. Parth Bhavsar, board-certified Family Medicine. Teladoc lists MDs, DOs, and nurse practitioners on its 24/7 care team; provider type is not patient-selectable.
- No 3rd-party gatekeeping. Direct relationship with the prescribing physician.
- Predictable pricing. Flat $79 — no per-feature pricing tiers.
Choose Teladoc if
- All 50 states. Teladoc covers all 50 states 24/7; TeleDirectMD is in 40+ states; check coverage for your state.
- Mental health (therapy + psych). Therapy at $119; psychiatry available. TeleDirectMD does not offer mental health.
- Brand & employer benefits. Teladoc is offered as a benefit by many health plans and employers; general medical visits can cost as little as $0 depending on your benefits.
- 24/7 overnight availability. Teladoc is staffed overnight. TeleDirectMD is same-day with evenings/weekends but not overnight.
Quick picks
- Need mental health (therapy or psychiatry)?Choose Teladoc — TeleDirectMD does not offer mental health services.
- In one of TeleDirectMD's 40+ states and paying cash?TeleDirectMD's $79 is about 11% below Teladoc's published $89 cash price.
- 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.
The details
Price, providers, prescriptions and coverage
Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs
Cash-pay urgent care: TeleDirectMD $79 flat; Teladoc $89/visit per Teladoc.com.
Mental health: TeleDirectMD does not offer therapy or psychiatry. Teladoc therapy is $119/visit.
Insurance: Teladoc is offered through many health plans and employers, and its insurance FAQ says general medical visits can cost as little as $0 depending on your benefits. If that applies to you, Teladoc may cost less than TeleDirectMD's $79. 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 accepts HSA, FSA, and HRA cards for eligible plans.
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 = Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD only. Board-certified Family Medicine. NPI 1104323203. The same physician you saw last visit is the one you see this visit.
Teladoc says its 24/7 care is staffed by MDs, DOs, and nurse practitioners. Provider type and credential are not patient-selectable, so repeat visits may be with different types of clinicians.
For straightforward acute conditions (UTI (women only), sinus infection, strep, refills), an NP or PA is clinically appropriate. For patients who specifically want an MD-led visit, TeleDirectMD guarantees one: every visit is with Parth Bhavsar, MD.
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: when a prescription is medically necessary, it goes to the pharmacy you choose per Teladoc; no fill time is published. 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.
State coverage
TeleDirectMD is licensed in 40+ states. Teladoc: All 50.
Check whether TeleDirectMD serves your state. If it doesn't, Teladoc 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. Teladoc: common questions
Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than Teladoc?
Yes for cash-pay. TeleDirectMD is $79 flat; Teladoc is $89 per visit per Teladoc's no-insurance pricing page. That's about 11% less at TeleDirectMD. If your health plan or employer covers Teladoc, a visit can cost as little as $0, so check your benefits first.
Does Teladoc use real doctors?
A mix. Teladoc says its 24/7 care is staffed by MDs, DOs, and nurse practitioners. 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 40+ 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. TeleDirectMD accepts HSA/FSA, and Teladoc's insurance FAQ says HSA, FSA, and HRA cards can be used for eligible plans. 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?
Teladoc does not publish a list of accepted insurers; it is offered through many health plans and employers, and you check coverage by creating an account. TeleDirectMD accepts Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare in select states. Compare your specific plan benefits to see which produces the lower copay.
$79, a real MD, same-day.
Evenings and weekends in 40+ states. Book in about two minutes.
References
- Teladoc — No-insurance pricing
- Teladoc — Insurance FAQ
- Teladoc — 24/7 Care (50 states, MD/DO/NP clinicians)
- Mira Health — Telehealth comparison
Disclaimer and verification
This page is an informational comparison between TeleDirectMD and Teladoc. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Teladoc. Teladoc pricing, feature, and coverage claims come from Teladoc's public materials and third-party reviews listed above. Prices and features change; check current rates on the Teladoc website (https://www.teladochealth.com/start/no-insurance) before booking.
Updated October 13, 2026. Teladoc 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.