Online Doctor Visits: What to Expect and What They Cost
HSChange Editorial Team
Health Policy Research Team, Consumer Health Guidance
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, MPH, Board-Certified Internal Medicine
Last updated: April 4, 2026
An online doctor visit is a medical consultation done by video, phone, or chat instead of walking into an office. Without insurance, telehealth visits average $40 to $90 compared to $136 to $176 for an in-person acute care visit. With insurance, most plans now cover telehealth at the same copay as equivalent in-person visits. 85% of patients who've tried telehealth want to keep using it.
How It Works
You sign up on a telehealth platform, describe your symptoms, and get matched with a licensed doctor. Most urgent care visits happen within minutes. You connect by video or phone. The doctor asks questions, reviews your history, makes a diagnosis, and can prescribe medication that's sent to your pharmacy electronically. Average visit time: about 15 minutes.
What Online Visits Can Handle
Cold and flu. Sinus infections. Allergies. UTIs. Skin conditions and rashes. Pink eye. Prescription refills. Mental health (therapy and psychiatry). Chronic condition management. Lab orders and referrals to specialists. If the doctor determines you need hands-on care, they'll refer you to an in-person facility.
Costs Are Changing
Some telehealth costs are rising in 2026. Hospitals are reintroducing facility fees for certain virtual visits. Audio-only visit coverage is tightening for non-behavioral health conditions. Medicare and some private insurers now reimburse audio-only visits at lower rates than video. Check your plan's specific telehealth coverage before assuming it's the cheapest option.