Our mission at Body Freedom relies on support from readers like you. We fairly compensate our expert writers and conduct thorough product evaluations monthly, incurring significant costs. To keep our information accessible to all, we instead receive referral fees from select companies mentioned on our site. Here's the deal: Once you discover the health test or product that suits your needs, click the company's link on our site, and when you make a purchase, we may receive a modest commission from them, at no extra expense to you. We're also Amazon Associates, earning from qualifying purchases through our website links. Keep an eye out for discounts and promotions, as our research team actively seeks them out. While we can't guarantee lower prices every time, we assure you they'll never be higher.
We uphold editorial integrity.
Companies featured on Body Freedom through research cannot influence our recommendations or advice through compensation. Our guidance is firmly rooted in countless hours of diligent research. Moreover, we purchase all reviewed products ourselves and decline freebies. Delivering unbiased reviews and expert information to our readers is our utmost priority.
Body Freedom is independent and reader-supported. We have the highest editorial standards. Learn More
Janelle Tarasewicz, M.A.
Psychology Writer
Janelle Tarasewicz, M.A., has been an adjunct psychology instructor since 2008, specializing in General and Abnormal Psychology. With a B.A. in Communication and an M.A. in Psychology, she is passionate about educating students and fostering collaborative learning, while actively engaging with her community.
The explosion of telehealth has revolutionized healthcare access, promising doctor visits from the comfort of your couch.1 Yet, navigating the digital landscape of virtual clinics can feel like traversing a maze blindfolded. Amidst the noise, PlushCare emerges, branding itself as a premium service connecting patients with board-certified physicians for primary, urgent, and mental health care. But does the reality match the marketing? With user reviews ranging from glowing endorsements to frustrated warnings about billing and cancellation nightmares, the question looms large: Is PlushCare a legitimate, high-quality service worth your time and money?
Cutting through the anecdotal fog requires more than surface-level scanning. Our team—comprising health writers, researchers, and testers undergoing the patient experience, guided by insights from telehealth expert Dr. Vin Gupta, MD—invested over 100 hours dissecting PlushCare. We analyzed user feedback trends across platforms like Trustpilot and BBB, scrutinized their service offerings, verified costs, stress-tested the app, and compared it head-to-head with major competitors. This definitive review unpacks the PlushCare experience, layer by layer, empowering you to decide if it’s the right fit for your healthcare needs.
Founded in 2014, PlushCare operates as a virtual primary care and mental health platform accessible via smartphone app or web browser. Its core proposition hinges on providing access to physicians from top-tier medical institutions (claiming connections to the top 50 U.S. medical schools) who are board-certified.
Key Service Pillars:
1
Urgent Care:
Addresses non-emergency issues like colds, flu, UTIs, sinus infections, rashes, and minor injuries. Available on-demand, often with same-day appointments.
2
Primary Care:
Offers ongoing care management, including check-ups, chronic condition management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, thyroid disorders), preventative care, and specialist referrals. Requires scheduled appointments.
3
Mental Health:
Provides online therapy with licensed therapists (LCSWs, LMFTs, etc.) and psychiatric consultations with psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners for medication management (treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc.). Note: Prescription policies for controlled substances are restrictive and vary by state.
4
Online Prescriptions:
Doctors can electronically send prescriptions to a patient’s local pharmacy for a wide range of medications (excluding most controlled substances).
5
Lab Testing:
Facilitates lab work by ordering tests electronically through partners like Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp, with results delivered back through the PlushCare app.
The Technology: PlushCare’s platform is relatively sleek and user-friendly. The app (available on iOS and Android) allows users to book appointments, manage medical records, message their care team (often with delayed responses, according to users), view lab results, and handle billing.
Expert Insight: The Telehealth Physician Pool “Platforms like PlushCare emphasize the credentials of their physicians, often highlighting board certification and affiliations with known institutions. While this provides a baseline level of qualification, the virtual setting presents unique challenges. Effective telehealth requires strong communication skills, technological proficiency, and the ability to build rapport quickly through a screen.2 Patient experiences can vary significantly based on the individual physician’s suitability for this format.” – Dr. Vin Gupta, MD, Telehealth Specialist
To understand the user journey beyond marketing claims, our testers navigated the PlushCare platform from sign-up to follow-up.
The Process:
Sign-up: Straightforward, requiring basic personal information, insurance details (if applicable), and credit card for the membership fee, which is charged upfront before booking the first visit. This immediate membership charge is a common friction point noted in user reviews.
Booking: The app interface makes finding and booking appointments relatively easy. Testers could filter doctors by specialty, availability, and sometimes view profiles (though detailed bios were inconsistent). Same-day urgent care slots were generally available within a few hours. Primary care and mental health appointments required booking further out, sometimes days or weeks depending on the provider.
The Consultation: Video quality was generally stable. The experience heavily depended on the specific doctor.3 One tester reported a highly engaged physician who asked thorough questions for an urgent care need. Another noted a primary care consultation felt rushed, lasting under 10 minutes. Mental health intake sessions were more structured.
Prescriptions & Labs: When scripts were needed, they were sent electronically to the chosen pharmacy promptly after the visit. Lab orders were similarly efficient, appearing in the app with instructions to visit a local Quest or Labcorp facility. Results typically appeared in the app within 2-5 days.
Follow-Up: Post-visit summaries were available in the app. Messaging the care team for simple follow-up questions sometimes resulted in slow response times (24-48 hours), aligning with user complaints about asynchronous communication.
Tester’s Log: Quick Observations
App Usability: Generally intuitive for booking and accessing records (8/10).
Upfront Fee: Membership charge before service feels like a high barrier (5/10).
Doctor Variability: Engagement levels differed significantly between test appointments (6/10).
Prescription Speed: Efficient process once prescribed (9/10).
Support Messaging: Not ideal for urgent follow-ups due to delays (6/10).
Service Deep Dive: Where PlushCare Shines (and Where It Falls Short)
Urgent Care: This is arguably PlushCare’s most straightforward offering. It excels for common, acute issues where a quick diagnosis and prescription (like antibiotics for a UTI or antivirals for flu) are needed. However, it’s crucial to understand its limits – anything requiring a physical exam (ear infections in children often need otoscopy), procedures (stitches), or immediate, potentially life-threatening symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath) is inappropriate for PlushCare.
Pro Tip: When to Skip Telehealth Urgent Care Head straight to an in-person clinic or ER if you experience: severe pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, signs of stroke (FAST symptoms), high fever unresponsive to medication, deep cuts, possible broken bones, or any condition requiring a hands-on physical examination. Telehealth is for convenience, not emergencies.4
Primary Care: PlushCare can function as a virtual PCP, especially for younger, healthier individuals or those needing management for stable chronic conditions like well-controlled hypertension or hypothyroidism. The challenge lies in building a consistent relationship, as seeing the same doctor consistently isn’t always guaranteed due to scheduling variability. Complex chronic disease management may also benefit from in-person assessments.
Mental Health: Offering both therapy and psychiatry is a strength. Users appreciate the convenience, particularly for medication management refills. However, negative reviews often cite therapist matching issues, abrupt provider departures from the platform, and difficulties getting timely appointments for psychiatric follow-ups.5 The quality of therapy can be highly subjective and dependent on the therapist-patient fit.
The Price of Convenience: Deconstructing PlushCare Costs
PlushCare’s pricing structure is a frequent source of confusion and complaints. It operates on a mandatory membership model combined with per-visit fees or insurance copays.
Membership Fee:$16.99 per month (or a discounted annual rate, approx. $119/year). This fee is required for all users, regardless of insurance status, and is charged monthly.
Urgent/Primary Care Visit (with Insurance): Your standard copay applies (typically $0 – $50+, depending on your plan). You must verify your insurance is in-network.
Urgent/Primary Care Visit (without Insurance):$129 per visit (in addition to the membership fee).
Therapy Visit (with Insurance): Your specialist copay applies.
Therapy Visit (without Insurance):$169 per visit (plus membership).
Psychiatry Visit (Initial – with Insurance): Specialist copay applies.
Psychiatry Visit (Initial – without Insurance):$299 per visit (plus membership).
Psychiatry Visit (Follow-up – with Insurance): Specialist copay applies.
Psychiatry Visit (Follow-up – without Insurance):$169 per visit (plus membership).
Labs & Prescriptions: Costs are separate and depend on your insurance coverage and the specific lab or pharmacy. PlushCare itself doesn’t dictate these prices.
Cost Summary Table:
Service
Membership Fee
Cost with In-Network Insurance
Cost Without Insurance
Monthly Access
$16.99/month
$16.99/month
$16.99/month
Urgent/Primary Care Visit
Included
Your Copay
+ $129 per visit
Therapy Visit
Included
Your Copay
+ $169 per visit
Psychiatry Visit (Initial)
Included
Your Copay
+ $299 per visit
Psychiatry Visit (Follow-up)
Included
Your Copay
+ $169 per visit
Note: Prices are subject to change. Always verify current costs directly with PlushCare.
The mandatory membership, especially when combined with per-visit fees for the uninsured, makes PlushCare one of the pricier telehealth options if used infrequently.6
Insurance Integration: Smooth Sailing or Choppy Waters?
PlushCare accepts many major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and others. You can check eligibility directly on their website or app.
The Process: Users provide insurance details during sign-up. PlushCare attempts to verify coverage before appointments.
Common Issues:
Verification Glitches: Users report delays or errors in insurance verification, sometimes leading to being incorrectly charged the uninsured rate.7
In-Network Confusion: Ensuring the specific PlushCare doctor is in-network with your specific plan can sometimes be tricky.
Deductibles: Users may forget that even with insurance, they might pay the full visit cost (or PlushCare’s negotiated rate) until their deductible is met.
Expert Insight: Navigating Insurance with Telehealth “Always double-check your telehealth benefits directly with your insurance provider before your first visit. Don’t rely solely on the platform’s eligibility check. Ask your insurer specifically about coverage for virtual urgent care, primary care, and mental health visits, and clarify your copay or coinsurance responsibility. Keep records of your communications.” – Dr. Vin Gupta, MD
Billing Issues: Unexpected charges, difficulty resolving discrepancies, being charged the membership fee even after attempting cancellation.
Cancellation Hurdles: The process is notoriously difficult (see next section).
Inconsistent Doctor Quality: Reports of rushed appointments, dismissive attitudes, or lack of thoroughness from some physicians.8
Customer Service: Difficulty reaching responsive support for billing or technical issues.
Membership Fee: Resentment over paying a monthly fee, especially if only using the service sporadically.
Is PlushCare Legit? Yes, PlushCare is a legitimate medical service provider employing licensed, board-certified physicians and therapists. They provide real medical consultations, prescriptions, and lab orders. However, the operational aspects—particularly billing transparency and the cancellation process—are where legitimacy concerns often arise from frustrated users. These operational failings damage trust, even if the medical care itself can be sound.
The Cancellation Conundrum: Why Quitting Can Be a Hassle
This is perhaps the most consistent and loudest complaint about PlushCare across review platforms. Cancelling the $16.99/month membership is often difficult.
The Official Process: PlushCare generally requires users to call their customer support line (1-800-221-5140) during business hours to cancel. There is typically no online cancellation option.
Reported Roadblocks: Users frequently report long hold times, difficulty getting through to an agent, agents attempting to dissuade cancellation, and, crucially, instances of being charged the membership fee after receiving confirmation of cancellation.
Resolution: Persistence is key. Documenting your call (date, time, agent name if possible) is advisable. Some users resort to disputing charges with their credit card company.
Pro Tip: Steps for a Smoother PlushCare Cancellation
Find the Number: Locate the current customer support number on their website/app.
Call During Business Hours: Be prepared for potential hold times.
State Intent Clearly: Explicitly say “I want to cancel my membership.”
Get Confirmation: Ask for a confirmation number or email. Note the date, time, and agent’s name.
Check Your Statements: Monitor your credit card statement to ensure charges stop.
Dispute if Necessary: If charges continue, contact your credit card company immediately to dispute them, providing your cancellation documentation.
The lack of a simple online cancellation process is a significant drawback and feels outdated compared to many modern subscription services.9
Teladoc access/cost is heavily dependent on employer or health plan partnerships. Direct-to-consumer options exist but are less common.
Key Takeaway: PlushCare’s mandatory membership makes it potentially more expensive, especially for uninsured or infrequent users, compared to pay-per-visit competitors like Amwell and Doctor on Demand. Its difficult cancellation process is also a significant differentiator, and not in a good way.10
PlushCare Review: Pros & Cons
Pros
Access to Board-Certified Doctors: Focus on physician credentials provides a baseline of quality.
Convenient Access: Same-day urgent care often available; care from home is a major benefit.
Integrated Services: Offers urgent care, primary care, and mental health within one platform.
Handles Common Issues Effectively: Good for straightforward urgent care needs and stable chronic condition refills.
User-Friendly App: Generally easy to navigate for booking and accessing records.
Cons
Mandatory Membership Fee: Adds significant cost, especially for infrequent users ($200+/year).
Difficult Cancellation Process: Requires phone calls and is a major source of user frustration and complaints.
Billing Issues & Lack of Transparency: Reports of unexpected charges and difficulty resolving billing errors erode trust.
Inconsistent Doctor Experience: Quality of interaction and thoroughness can vary significantly.
Slow Customer Support/Messaging: Not reliable for timely follow-up questions or issue resolution.
Pricier Than Some Competitors: Especially for uninsured visits due to the added membership cost.
PlushCare occupies a specific niche in the telehealth market. It aims for a higher-touch primary care experience than some competitors but couples it with a subscription model and operational hurdles that can frustrate users.
Medical Reviewer’s Perspective: “PlushCare offers a potentially valuable service, particularly for individuals with good insurance coverage seeking integrated primary and mental health care virtually. However, the platform’s value is significantly impacted by reported issues in billing and cancellation. Patients need reliable and transparent operations alongside quality clinical care.11 For telehealth to be truly effective, the entire patient experience, including administration, must be seamless.” – Dr. Vin Gupta, MD
PlushCare
Who is PlushCare Best For?
Individuals with accepted, robust insurance plans who anticipate using telehealth services (urgent, primary, or mental health) multiple times per year, making the membership fee more justifiable.
Patients seeking integrated virtual primary care and mental health medication management from a single platform.
Users prioritizing access to doctors with strong traditional credentials (though virtual bedside manner varies).
Individuals primarily needing infrequent, pay-per-visit urgent care (Amwell, Doctor on Demand may be cheaper).
Those without insurance or with high deductible plans (the combined membership and visit fees can be costly).
Users who prioritize easy account management and cancellation.
Patients needing management for highly complex chronic conditions that benefit significantly from regular in-person exams.
Anyone highly sensitive to potential billing errors or customer service frustrations.
The Verdict: 3.5 / 5 Stars
PlushCare delivers legitimate medical care through qualified professionals and offers a convenient platform for various health needs. However, its mandatory membership fee, coupled with pervasive complaints about billing inaccuracies and an arduous cancellation process, significantly tarnish the user experience. While the clinical care can be good, the operational friction prevents us from giving it a top recommendation. It’s a viable option primarily for well-insured individuals who plan to use the service regularly and are prepared to navigate potential administrative headaches, especially if cancellation becomes necessary. For many others, pay-per-visit competitors offer comparable services with greater flexibility and less financial commitment upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is PlushCare covered by insurance?
Yes, PlushCare accepts many major insurance plans. Always verify your specific plan’s coverage directly with PlushCare and your insurer. You will still be responsible for the monthly membership fee.
How much does PlushCare cost without insurance?
You pay the $16.99/month membership fee PLUS $129 per urgent/primary care visit, $169 per therapy or follow-up psychiatry visit, and $299 for an initial psychiatry visit.
Can PlushCare prescribe controlled substances?
Generally, no. Due to telehealth regulations (like the Ryan Haight Act), PlushCare physicians typically cannot prescribe DEA-controlled substances (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants like Adderall). Policies can vary slightly by state and provider discretion for non-stimulant ADHD meds or temporary refills in specific circumstances, but assume limitations.
Is it easy to cancel PlushCare?
No. Based on widespread user reports, cancellation is often difficult, requiring a phone call during business hours, and issues with continued billing after cancellation are common.
Are PlushCare doctors real doctors?
Yes. PlushCare states its physicians are board-certified in relevant specialties (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry) and licensed to practice in the states where they provide care. Therapists are also licensed professionals.
Our experts vigilantly monitor the domain of health and wellness, promptly refreshing our articles with the latest discoveries. Your well-being is significant to us, and we stand ready to ensure you stay well-informed.
June 16, 2025
Current Version
June 16, 2025
June 16, 2025
Written By Janelle Tarasewicz, M.A. Edited By Suzanne Briggs Medically Reviewed By Robin M Voigt-Zuwala, PhD Copy Edited By Jun Xu
June 16, 2025
At Body Freedom, we rely solely on top-tier sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, to bolster the veracity of our content. Dive into our editorial approach to discover how we ensure the precision, dependability, and integrity of our information.
Polinski, J., Barker, T., Gagliano, N., Sussman, A., Brennan, T., & Shrank, W. (2016). Patients’ Satisfaction with and Preference for Telehealth Visits. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 31, 269-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-015-3489-x. ↩︎
Qashqary, M. (2024). Exploring physicians’ expectations of telehealth services implementation in primary care: An application of the social cognitive theory. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 13, 2310 – 2322. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1498_23. ↩︎
Morgan, D., Kosteniuk, J., Stewart, N., O’connell, M., Karunanayake, C., & Beever, R. (2014). The telehealth satisfaction scale: reliability, validity, and satisfaction with telehealth in a rural memory clinic population.. Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association, 20 11, 997-1003 . https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2014.0002. ↩︎
Ownsworth, T., Chan, R., Jones, S., Robertson, J., & Pinkham, M. (2020). Use of telehealth platforms for delivering supportive care to adults with primary brain tumors and their family caregivers: A systematic review. Psycho‐Oncology, 30. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5549. ↩︎
Sun, W., Cheng, A., & Guo, X. (2021). First Service Communication Media and Subsequent Patient Engagement: Evidence from a Mobile Mental Healthcare Platform. , 25. ↩︎
Gui, A., So, I., Novantia, D., Princes, E., Sianipar, N., & Haron, H. (2023). Factors that Influence E-Satisfaction and Their Impact on Online Purchase Intention of Telemedicine Applications. 2023 IEEE 9th International Conference on Computing, Engineering and Design (ICCED), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCED60214.2023.10425610. ↩︎
Ko, D., Tachinardi, U., & Warm, E. (2024). Secure messaging telehealth billing in the digital age: moving beyond time-based metrics. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocae250. ↩︎
Rene, R., Cherson, M., Rannazzisi, A., Felter, J., Silverio, A., & Cunningham, A. (2022). Transitioning from In-Person to Telemedicine Within Primary Care Behavioral Health During COVID-19.. Population health management. https://doi.org/10.1089/pop.2021.0292. ↩︎
Kim, J. (2021). Platform quality factors influencing content providers’ loyalty. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 60, 102510. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JRETCONSER.2021.102510. ↩︎
Kastania, A., & Zimeras, S. (2009). Quality and Reliability Aspects in Telehealth Systems. , 425-442. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60566-002-8.CH030. ↩︎
Natividade, S., Gehrke, M., Dias, P., Coelho, P., Bezerra, P., De Magalhães, A., & Guimarães, N. (2021). Assessment of satisfaction and resolvability of the Telehealth Network Platform in the state of Pará, Brazil. . ↩︎
