Sesame

What the service is

Sesame is a telehealth marketplace that connects patients with licensed doctors and specialists for online visits, including a dedicated mental health prescriptions vertical for medication management. The platform focuses on affordability and speed, offering same-day appointments at a fraction of traditional care costs, and does not require insurance. Visitors can book visits, get prescriptions filled or refilled, or join Sesame Plus for ongoing cost savings across its 383 available services.

How care works

Sesame positions itself as a direct-to-patient marketplace where you can "tell me what you're dealing with" and it helps you "understand your options, what they cost, or connect you to a doctor you can see today." Visits are advertised as starting at $34, with same-day availability emphasized as a core feature. The platform offers mental health prescriptions for depression, anxiety and related conditions through online video visits; appointments are available "same-day." The service also includes "unlimited messaging" with your provider once you have booked a visit, suggesting ongoing contact outside formal appointments.

The matching process is marketplace-style: patients browse the offered services and conditions on the site, choose a visit type, and book a provider. The site does not describe therapist matching criteria, personalization, or how to find a specific provider beyond browsing. Switching providers appears straightforward as each visit is transactional: you book a new provider on the next visit. The site does not describe continuity of care, ongoing relationships, or assigned mental health case managers. The mobile app is available on iOS and Android and advertises 4.9 rating on app store with 383 services, same-day visits, 36 specialties, and the ability to choose your own provider.

Mental health prescriptions are available for anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, performance anxiety, PTSD, and sleep conditions. Common medications listed include "escitalopram, lexapro, fluoxetine, prozac, sertraline, zoloft, venlafaxine ER, effexor XR." The site does not specify which controlled substances are available or restricted. It does not describe a psychiatric evaluation process, risk screening, or safety protocols before prescribing. The site describes Sesame as cutting "out insurance middlemen" to achieve lower costs, positioning it as a direct-pay model.

Pricing and plans

The site states that "visits start at $34." On its homepage, Sesame advertises that you can "see a doctor same-day for as low as $34." The membership page states that "quality doctor visits [are] as low as $37 when you join Sesame Plus." The Sesame Plus membership costs "as little as 27 cents per day," which translates to "$10.99 per month or $99 per year." With Sesame Plus, you get "$10 off all telehealth and primary care visits" and "$10 when you see a dentist or a specialist in-person," plus "free lab or blood test per year ($65 value)."

For ongoing medication management without membership, the site offers Everyday Rx: "$1 medications. Same-day refills" delivered monthly with "unlimited refills and dedicated provider care for as low as $29/mo with an annual plan, or $59 month-to-month." The site emphasizes "$50M+ saved by patients," "95% patient satisfaction," and "no insurance needed." HSA and FSA are accepted. The site does not specify how pricing works for multiple visits, medication refills at the $34 rate, or specialty consultations beyond the standard visit price.

Insurance and states

The site does not mention insurance coverage, in-network status, or which states are covered. No insurance plans are named. The platform markets itself explicitly as not requiring insurance: "No insurance needed" and "no hidden fees" appear throughout the site. The home page states "no deductibles, no surprise bills, no problem." The Everyday Rx page states "no insurance needed" for the $1 medication program. The captured pages do not list geographic restrictions or state availability.

What the pages do not say

Sesame does not name which states it operates in or whether there are geographic restrictions. It does not specify whether it accepts insurance or is an in-network provider for any plans; it simply markets itself as an insurance-free alternative. The site does not detail the psychiatric evaluation or screening process before prescribing psychiatric medications. It does not specify which controlled substances can and cannot be prescribed, only listing common psychiatric medications without stating availability or restrictions. No information is provided about provider credentials, licensure types (MD, LCSW, PMHNP, etc.), or therapist training. There is no discussion of follow-up appointment frequency, medication monitoring protocols, or how to escalate if a patient is in crisis. No mention is made of whether medications can be refilled automatically, how refills are requested, or how long they typically take. The captured pages do not explain the clinical intake process or risk screening for psychiatric medication. No details on continuity of care, whether you can see the same provider for follow-up visits, or how long providers remain available. The app's specific features and user interface are mentioned only in passing; details on offline access, notification settings, or data security are not covered.

Who it fits and who it doesn't

Sesame is ideal for people without insurance who need fast, affordable psychiatric medication management or ADHD prescriptions. The $34 baseline visit price and $29-per-month ongoing medication plan appeal to cash-pay patients and those with high-deductible plans. Same-day availability suits urgent mental health needs. The app works for patients comfortable with transactional, marketplace-style relationships rather than ongoing continuity with one provider. Those wanting to stack savings with HSA or FSA funds will find compatibility.

It is not suitable for patients who need in-network status with their insurance plan or want insurance to cover the visit. Those seeking long-term therapeutic relationships or ongoing psychotherapy with the same provider should look elsewhere, as Sesame's model is visit-by-visit and medication-focused. Patients in rural areas should verify that Sesame providers cover their geographic location. Anyone unsure whether a controlled substance they need (stimulants, benzodiazepines, etc.) is available through Sesame should call first, as the site does not disclose its prescribing restrictions. Those needing crisis intervention or urgent psychiatric hospitalization cannot rely on Sesame's marketplace model; it is designed for routine prescriptions, not emergencies. People who prefer to know their provider's specific credentials and qualifications before booking should prepare to research each provider individually before purchasing a visit.