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 Walgreens Virtual Healthcare?
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). Walgreens Virtual Healthcare (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; Walgreens Virtual Healthcare 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. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare: 2026 Comparison
Side-by-side with sources. Both are $79 for general urgent care; TeleDirectMD adds a named-MD guarantee and in-network insurance in select states. Walgreens wins on tight pharmacy integration and cheaper condition-specific menus.
Walgreens Virtual Healthcare
$79 per visit
$79/visit (video, 18+)
- Who you see
- Mixed MD + NP panel; no patient selection of provider
- Insurance
- Not accepted for visit fee; HSA/FSA accepted; Rx insurance accepted
- Coverage
- Nearly all U.S. states (help page excludes West Virginia; not D.C.)
- Membership
- No membership required; pay per visit
The short answer
TeleDirectMD charges $79 per visit and connects you with a single named board-certified MD — Dr. Parth Bhavsar — every time. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare charges $79 for an urgent care video visit and matches you with a rotating panel of "doctors and nurse practitioners" without patient selection. Walgreens does not accept health insurance for most visits ("Insurance is currently not accepted for virtual care visits", with a narrow New Jersey exception), while TeleDirectMD is in-network with Aetna, BCBS, and UHC in select states. Both accept HSA/FSA. Walgreens wins on pharmacy integration: prescriptions flow directly into Walgreens' own chain for same-day fills or delivery. TeleDirectMD wins on the named-MD guarantee and insurance acceptance. Walgreens wins on reach and hours: it is available in nearly every state, with clinicians online 8 am to midnight EST every day. Walgreens matches TeleDirectMD’s $79 general urgent-care price but has cheaper condition-specific menus ($33–$39 for UTI, pink eye, cold sores, birth control).
Both $79 general urgent careNamed MD · not a rotating panelWalgreens: $33–$79 menu
Reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD, Board-Certified Family Medicine. Updated October 13, 2026; Walgreens Virtual Healthcare facts verified against official materials and cited sources on October 13, 2026.
Side by side
TeleDirectMD vs. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare, point by point
Ten things that matter when you pick a telehealth service. Every Walgreens Virtual Healthcare claim links to its source.
What you're comparingTeleDirectMDWalgreens Virtual Healthcare
Insurance acceptedAetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare (select states)Not accepted for visit fee; HSA/FSA accepted; Rx insurance acceptedsource
PrescriptionsSame-day; pharmacy of your choicePatient selects pharmacy (Walgreens or any other); same-day fill availablesource
Advertised wait timeNot published; same-day appointmentsMost visits start within 30 minutes; higher demand may extendsource
Provider typeMD only — Dr. Parth Bhavsar (board-certified)Mixed MD + NP panel; no patient selection of providersource
Which to choose
An honest call: each one wins somewhere
Choose TeleDirectMD if
- Named MD at the same $79. $79 flat at TeleDirectMD vs. $79 per urgent care video visit at Walgreens Virtual Healthcare. Walgreens is cash-pay for the visit fee; TeleDirectMD also accepts Aetna, BCBS, and UHC in select states.
- Named, board-certified MD every time. Every TeleDirectMD visit is with Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD — board-certified Family Medicine, NPI 1104323203. Walgreens' provider page says its team is "experienced doctors and nurse practitioners" with no patient selection and no named physician.
- Insurance accepted in select states. TeleDirectMD is in-network with Aetna, BCBS, and UHC in select states. Walgreens says insurance is not accepted for virtual visit fees, with a narrow New Jersey exception.
- Any pharmacy — not one chain. TeleDirectMD sends e-prescriptions to CVS, Walmart, independent pharmacies, Amazon Pharmacy, or any licensed U.S. pharmacy. You are never steered toward a specific chain. Walgreens similarly allows pharmacy of choice, but its system is designed around — and optimized for — its own Walgreens stores.
Choose Walgreens Virtual Healthcare if
- Walgreens pharmacy integration. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare sends prescriptions directly to any Walgreens location with real-time fill alerts via the Walgreens app. If you already fill all your prescriptions at Walgreens, the seamless hand-off — from visit to pill bottle — is a genuine convenience TeleDirectMD cannot replicate.
- Broader condition menu at lower per-condition price. Walgreens offers condition-specific pricing: pink eye is $39, UTI $39, birth control $33, cold sore $33. For those specific narrow-scope visits, Walgreens costs less than TeleDirectMD's $79 flat rate.
- Weight management and specialty programs (2026). Walgreens launched GLP-1 weight management visits in February 2026 at $49/visit in 28 states. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe GLP-1 medications.
- Brand recognition and retail footprint. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare is available in nearly every state, and Walgreens has thousands of U.S. stores. Patients who have decades of trust with the Walgreens pharmacy brand may find the virtual service a natural extension of that relationship.
- Lab orders through Labcorp/Quest. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare can issue STI and wellness panel lab orders through Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics from within the virtual visit workflow. TeleDirectMD does not offer an integrated lab-order service.
Quick picks
- Does your condition have a Walgreens-specific visit at $33–$39?Walgreens charges less than $79 for pink eye ($39), UTI ($39), birth control ($33), cold sores ($33), and a few others. If your exact condition matches a Walgreens narrow-category visit, Walgreens may be the cheaper option.
- Is your need a general urgent care visit — fever, sore throat, cough, or an unlisted acute condition?TeleDirectMD and Walgreens both charge $79 for a general urgent-care video visit. Walgreens is cheaper ($33–$39) for a small menu of condition-specific visits (UTI, pink eye, cold sores, birth control). For everything outside that menu, both platforms charge the same $79 — TeleDirectMD's edge is the named MD and in-network insurance in select states.
- Do you specifically want a board-certified MD — not a nurse practitioner?TeleDirectMD is the only option here. Walgreens matches you with "the next available" clinician from a pool that includes both MDs and NPs; you cannot specify provider type or credential.
- Do you rely on Walgreens for all your pharmacy needs?Walgreens Virtual Healthcare's tight integration with Walgreens pharmacy — real-time fill alerts, same-day delivery, in-app refill management — is a meaningful convenience if you are already a Walgreens pharmacy customer. TeleDirectMD lets you choose any pharmacy, including Walgreens.
The details
Price, providers, prescriptions and coverage
Pricing Deep-Dive: What Each Visit Actually Costs
Urgent care visits: TeleDirectMD is $79 flat for all acute conditions. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare charges $79 for its general urgent care video visit. Condition-specific Walgreens visits can be cheaper — UTI, pink eye, flu, and COVID chat visits run $39; birth control, cold sores, acne, and men's hair loss run $33. If your need matches a narrow Walgreens category, you may pay less than $79. If you have a general acute illness (sore throat, fever, cough), you will pay $79 at Walgreens vs. $79 at TeleDirectMD.
Insurance: Walgreens does not accept health insurance toward most virtual visit fees. Walgreens states explicitly: "Insurance is currently not accepted for virtual care visits." TeleDirectMD is in-network with Aetna, BCBS, and UHC in select states — meaning insured patients in those states may owe $0 or a standard copay at TeleDirectMD while paying $39–$79 cash at Walgreens. Verify your specific plan benefits at teledirectmd.com/insurance/.
HSA / FSA: Both platforms accept HSA and FSA cards. Visit fees at both qualify as medical expenses. Walgreens confirms: "you may pay for your visit with your HSA/FSA card."
Prescription costs: Medication costs are separate at both platforms. Your insurance (if applicable) covers Rx at most pharmacies. At Walgreens, you can use the Walgreens Rx Savings Finder powered by RxSense for GoodRx-equivalent discounts on Walgreens-filled prescriptions. At TeleDirectMD, you can use GoodRx, Cost Plus Drugs, or Amazon Pharmacy at any chain or independent pharmacy — no restriction to a single chain.
Membership: Neither platform requires a membership or subscription. Both are pure pay-per-visit. Walgreens' general visit range is $33–$79; TeleDirectMD is $79 flat. Over multiple acute visits in a year, TeleDirectMD's flat rate is predictable regardless of condition; Walgreens' pricing varies by condition type.
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: Named MD vs. Rotating MD/NP Panel
TeleDirectMD: Every visit — first visit, third visit, fifteenth visit — is with Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD. Board-certified Family Medicine. NPI 1104323203. Trained at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The physician who reviews your chart today is the physician who reviewed it last time. There is no AI triage layer, no intake algorithm routing you to a mid-level provider, and no pool of dozens of rotating clinicians.
Walgreens Virtual Healthcare: Walgreens' own provider FAQ describes its team as "experienced doctors and nurse practitioners." You are matched with "the next available provider licensed in your state." There is no patient selection of provider type. Walgreens does not publish its providers' credentials on its public pages, and the platform's model relies on rotating clinician pools to support its scale across nearly every state. This is clinically standard for large-panel telehealth, but it means the provider credential on any given visit is unknown in advance.
What this means practically: For most straightforward acute conditions — UTI (women only), sinus infection, pink eye, strep — an NP is clinically appropriate and licensed to diagnose and prescribe. The AAFP notes that scope of practice varies by state. If you specifically want an MD-level assessment — for a complex medication interaction, an unusual presentation, or simply personal preference — TeleDirectMD guarantees it: every visit is with Parth Bhavsar, MD. Walgreens cannot make that guarantee.
No controlled substances at either platform: Walgreens explicitly states: "We do not prescribe any medications that are listed as controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or state law. This includes narcotics, amphetamine stimulants and benzodiazepines." TeleDirectMD has the same policy. If you are seeking Adderall, opioids, or benzodiazepines, neither platform will prescribe them. See an in-person physician.
Prescription Handling: Any Pharmacy vs. the Walgreens Ecosystem
TeleDirectMD: Same-day e-prescription to any licensed U.S. pharmacy — CVS, Walmart, Costco, independent pharmacies, Amazon Pharmacy, or Walgreens itself. Most prescriptions reach the pharmacy within 30–60 minutes of the visit. You choose at checkout and can update before the prescription is sent. No pressure, no loyalty program tie-in.
Walgreens Virtual Healthcare: Per Walgreens' prescription FAQ, you select your preferred pharmacy at visit end — and that can be any pharmacy, not just Walgreens. However, the platform's interface is built around the Walgreens chain: fill-status notifications, same-day delivery, the Walgreens Rx Savings Finder, and in-app refill management all integrate exclusively with Walgreens locations. If you already use Walgreens as your pharmacy, this is a genuine convenience advantage. If you use CVS, Costco, or a local independent, the integration adds no value and the workflow is the same as any other telehealth platform.
Key limitation at both platforms: Neither TeleDirectMD nor Walgreens Virtual Healthcare prescribes controlled substances (Schedule II–V). This includes opioids, stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin), benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium), and sleep medications. For acute non-controlled conditions — antibiotics, antivirals, antihistamines, blood pressure refills, asthma inhalers — both platforms prescribe effectively and the prescription reaches your pharmacy the same day.
State coverage
TeleDirectMD is licensed in 40+ states. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare: Nearly all U.S. states (help page excludes West Virginia; not D.C.).
Check whether TeleDirectMD serves your state. If it doesn't, Walgreens Virtual Healthcare 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. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare: common questions
Is TeleDirectMD cheaper than Walgreens Virtual Healthcare?
For general urgent care, no: the cash price is the same. TeleDirectMD is $79 flat; Walgreens charges $79 for an urgent care video visit per <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">walgreens.com</a>. For condition-specific visits — pink eye, UTI, cold sores, birth control — Walgreens charges $33–$39, which is cheaper than TeleDirectMD's $79. The "cheaper" option depends on which condition you are treating.
Does Walgreens Virtual Healthcare accept insurance?
No. <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens explicitly states</a>: "Insurance is currently not accepted for virtual care visits." The narrow exception is select live video visits in New Jersey for certain state and school employee plans. TeleDirectMD, by contrast, is in-network with Aetna, BCBS, and UHC in select states — meaning insured patients may owe a standard copay instead of the full $79. Check your plan at <a href="/insurance/">teledirectmd.com/insurance/</a>.
Does TeleDirectMD accept insurance?
Yes, in select states. TeleDirectMD is in-network with Aetna, BCBS (Blue Cross Blue Shield), and UnitedHealthcare. Insured patients in covered states may owe a copay or $0 rather than the full $79 cash price. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare does not accept insurance for the visit fee. See <a href="/insurance/">teledirectmd.com/insurance/</a> for details.
Can I use HSA or FSA at both platforms?
Yes. Both TeleDirectMD and <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens Virtual Healthcare</a> accept HSA and FSA cards as payment for the visit fee. Virtual telehealth visits qualify as medical expenses for HSA/FSA purposes under IRS guidelines. Medication costs are separate and also typically HSA/FSA-eligible.
What states does Walgreens Virtual Healthcare cover?
<a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/virtualhealthcare.jsp">Walgreens Virtual Healthcare</a> is available in all U.S. states except West Virginia and is not yet available in D.C., per its help page; services vary by state. TeleDirectMD covers <a href="/states-we-serve/">40+ states</a>. Verify your state on both platforms before booking.
Does Walgreens Virtual Healthcare cover more states than TeleDirectMD?
Yes. Walgreens lists availability in nearly every state (its help page excludes West Virginia, and it is not yet in D.C.), while TeleDirectMD covers 40+ states. See <a href="/states-we-serve/">teledirectmd.com/states-we-serve/</a> and <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/virtualhealthcare.jsp">walgreens.com</a> for current state lists.
Does Walgreens Virtual Healthcare offer mental health services?
No. <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens Virtual Healthcare's current service menu</a> does not include therapy, psychiatry, or counseling. TeleDirectMD also does not offer mental health services. If therapy or psychiatry is your need, consider Teladoc ($119/session), MDLIVE, or Amwell.
Are Walgreens Virtual Healthcare providers real doctors?
<a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens describes</a> its provider team as "experienced doctors and nurse practitioners." You are matched with the next available clinician — provider type (MD vs. NP) is not patient-selectable. TeleDirectMD uses only Dr. Parth Bhavsar, MD — a named, board-certified Family Medicine physician. For patients who specifically want an MD, TeleDirectMD is the guaranteed option.
Do I have to fill my prescription at Walgreens if I use Walgreens Virtual Healthcare?
No. <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/virtualhealthcare.jsp">Walgreens' prescription FAQ</a> lets you select any pharmacy — CVS, Walmart, an independent, or any other licensed U.S. pharmacy. However, Walgreens' fill-status alerts, same-day delivery, and savings tools work only with Walgreens locations. TeleDirectMD also lets you choose any pharmacy with no steering or ecosystem preference.
How long is the wait time at Walgreens Virtual Healthcare?
<a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens states</a> "most visits start within 30 minutes of your request being submitted." Its help page notes that during high-demand periods, wait times may be longer, with an overnight backlog possible. TeleDirectMD schedules same-day appointments including evenings and weekends with a confirmed appointment time, avoiding unpredictable queues.
Can Walgreens Virtual Healthcare or TeleDirectMD prescribe controlled substances?
No. <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/virtualhealthcare.jsp">Walgreens states</a>: "We do not prescribe any medications that are listed as controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or state law. This includes narcotics, amphetamine stimulants and benzodiazepines." TeleDirectMD has the same policy. Neither platform prescribes Adderall, opioids, Xanax, or similar Schedule II–V drugs. See an in-person provider for those.
What is the visit price range at Walgreens Virtual Healthcare?
<a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens Virtual Healthcare</a> prices by condition: $33 for birth control, cold sores, acne, ED, cholesterol refills, and skincare; $39 for UTI, pink eye, flu (chat), COVID (chat), yeast infection, and lab orders; $49 for asthma refill, seasonal allergies, weight management, and blood pressure refill; $59 for flu/COVID video visit; $79 for general urgent care and travel clinic. TeleDirectMD is $79 flat regardless of condition.
Does Walgreens Virtual Healthcare operate 24/7?
No. <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens providers are available</a> from 8 am to midnight EST (5 am to 9 pm PST), seven days a week. Visits requested late in the evening or overnight are not seen until a provider becomes available, which may be the following morning. If you need overnight urgent care access, consider Teladoc or MDLIVE, which are staffed 24/7.
Is Walgreens Virtual Healthcare different from the old Walgreens/MDLive service?
Yes. Walgreens previously offered telehealth through a partnership with MDLive. The current <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/virtual-healthcare.jsp">Walgreens Virtual Healthcare</a> platform — now available in nearly every state — is a proprietary Walgreens-operated service with its own provider network and pricing ($33–$79 per visit), separate from any MDLive partnership.
How do I choose between TeleDirectMD and Walgreens Virtual Healthcare?
Choose TeleDirectMD if: you want a named MD at the same $79 cash price, you are in TeleDirectMD's <a href="/states-we-serve/">40+ state network</a>, or your insurer (Aetna, BCBS, UHC) covers TeleDirectMD. Choose Walgreens if: your condition is on Walgreens' $33–$39 condition-specific menu, you already rely on Walgreens pharmacy and want tight fill integration, or you need lab orders (STI, wellness panel) from within the same visit workflow.
$79, a real MD, same-day.
Evenings and weekends in 40+ states. Book in about two minutes.
More comparisons
Related cost guides
References
- Walgreens Virtual Healthcare — main service page (pricing, states, providers, FAQ)
- Walgreens Virtual Healthcare — help center (pharmacy, refills, payment, wait times)
- Walgreens Virtual Healthcare — pink eye page (visit format, provider description)
- Walgreens Corporate — Weight Management launch press release (Feb 2026)
- Kiplinger — Walgreens Virtual Healthcare launch coverage (pricing and scope)
- Mass Market Retailers — Walgreens expands virtual care to 30 states (Oct 2024)
- AAFP — Scope of care advocacy (NP vs. MD authority)
- TeleDirectMD — states we serve
Disclaimer and verification
This page is an informational comparison between TeleDirectMD and Walgreens Virtual Healthcare. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Walgreens Virtual Healthcare. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare pricing, feature, and coverage claims come from Walgreens Virtual Healthcare's public materials and third-party reviews listed above. Prices and features change; check current rates on the Walgreens Virtual Healthcare website (https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/) before booking.
Updated October 13, 2026. Walgreens Virtual Healthcare 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.