FREE Virtual COVID-19 Visit for Californians Ages 12 and Up

Pick an appointment below to connect with a FREE healthcare provider who can prescribe you COVID-19 medications if appropriate. COVID-19 medications (Paxlovid or molnupiravir) are FREE. Medicines may be mailed to you or picked up at the pharmacy. If you are asked to pay for your COVID-19 medications (Paxlovid or molnupiravir), please call +1 (888) 897-1244 so that we can follow up with the pharmacy.

Language support: all providers have access to a translation service — view supported languages here.

Please note, this is a free service provided by the California Department of Public Health to support uninsured and underinsured individuals within the State of California who cannot connect with a healthcare provider within 24 hours of receiving a positive test result or developing symptoms and having history consistent with a COVID-19 diagnosis, such as close contact with a person confirmed positive. If you are insured, please try to reach your healthcare provider first. If you have difficulty doing so within 24 hours of your positive result or symptoms starting, you may proceed with booking here. COVID-19 medications must be taken within 5-7 days of symptoms starting to be effective. Only make an appointment if you have a positive COVID-19 test or have symptoms and history consistent with a COVID-19 diagnosis. COVID-19 medications are only approved for those who have symptoms. If you need to get a COVID-19 test, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/

If you click away from this California-specific site, you will be entering Sesame Care’s regular website which charges for its services. Californians who want free COVID-19 telehealth care will NOT be charged for the telehealth visit or COVID-19 medicine. Call +1 (888) 897-1244 if you have questions, need help booking an appointment or don't have an email address to use.

What is the cost of a virtual visit with a healthcare provider?

This visit is completely free to you if you have COVID-19. Sesame has partnered with the California Department of Public Health to provide FREE virtual visits to support uninsured and underinsured individuals who cannot connect with a healthcare provider within 24 hours of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result.

If you are insured, please try to reach your healthcare provider first. If you have difficulty doing so within 24 hours of your positive result, you may proceed with booking here. The visit will still be free to you. COVID-19 medications must be taken within 5-7 days of symptoms starting to be effective.

Do I need to have insurance?

No, you do not need to have insurance to get a free virtual visit for COVID-19 care on this site.

Sesame has partnered with the California Department of Public Health to provide FREE virtual visits to support uninsured and underinsured individuals who cannot connect with a healthcare provider within 24 hours of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result.

If you are insured, please try to reach your healthcare provider first. If you have difficulty doing so within 24 hours of your positive result, you may proceed with booking here. The visit will still be free to you. COVID-19 medications must be taken within 5-7 days of symptoms starting to be effective.

If I have insurance, will it be billed?

No, your insurance will not be billed for this telehealth visit. However, if you are insured, please try to reach your healthcare provider first. If you have difficulty doing so within 24 hours of your positive result, you may proceed with booking here. The visit will still be free to you. COVID-19 medications must be taken within 5-7 days of symptoms starting to be effective.

Once I make an appointment what will happen next?

Once you have made your appointment yourself online, your phone number will be used to contact you about your appointment and prescriptions via call or text message. Before your appointment begins you will be asked to complete a brief medical history and provide your primary care doctor if you have one.   A link will be sent to you via email or text messages to join the video visit online with the Sesame healthcare provider. The Sesame healthcare provider will determine if you need COVID-19 medications and whether they will be pills or an injection.

Can I pick up my medication today?

Sesame providers can send your prescription to a pharmacy of your choice if that pharmacy has COVID-19 medications. You can then pick them up during the pharmacy’s regular hours. If you prefer to have your medications mailed to you, a delivery option may be available. Some pharmacies will deliver at no cost - please contact your pharmacy for details. Please note if you choose to have your medications mailed to you, make sure you will receive them within 5 days of when your symptoms started. Oral medications for COVID-19 must be taken within 5 days of when your symptoms started in order to work.

What do I do if I am asked to pay for my medication?

COVID-19 medications (Paxlovid or molnupiravir) are FREE. Pharmacies are not allowed to charge for these medications. If you are charged for Paxlovid or molnupiravir, please call (888) 897-1244 so that we can follow up with the pharmacy.  Please note you can still be charged for other medications such as cough medicine, decongestants, fever-reducers like Tylenol or Motrin, etc.  Only COVID-19 specific prescription medications (Paxlovid or molnupiravir) are free. 

Is my information shared with the state or any government agency?

Your name, date of birth, and address are NOT shared. The only information shared with the California Department of Public Health is summaries of demographic data (such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status) to help CDPH serve communities hardest hit by COVID-19.

If more than one family member tests positive, can I use the same doctor visit for everyone that has COVID?

You can make a separate appointment for each member of your family. All the appointments are free. Separate appointments will help to make sure the healthcare provider has the medical history of each patient and can make the best medical decisions for each patient.