Virtual COVID-19 Visit for Californians Ages 12 and Up

Question 1

Once I make an appointment what will happen next?

Answer

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.

Question 2

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

Answer

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.

Question 3

Do I have to pay for my medication?

Answer

Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) have now transitioned to the commercial market. Below are the steps you should take to get your medication for free or to get help with your co-pay if you have private insurance.

If you are prescribed Paxlovid:

Ask your pharmacy if they still have government-purchased supplies. If the pharmacy still has Paxlovid that they received for free from the U.S. government, they must dispense the free supply – you just need to ask.
If you have Medi-Cal, the cost of Paxlovid is covered at the pharmacy.
If you are uninsured or have Medicare, enroll in Pfizer’s Patient Assistance Program.Through the end of 2024, people who are uninsured and those who have Medicare coverage will continue to be able to get Paxlovid for free through a patient assistance program. If you’re on Medicare, bring your insurance card with you so the pharmacy can verify your coverage. To sign up for this program, click here or visit www.paxlovid.iassist.com.
If you have private insurance, call your pharmacy and ask if your insurance covers the cost with no co-pay. If you have a co-pay, you can enroll in Pfizer’s Co-Pay Savings Program (click here to be brought to www.paxlovid.com/enroll-in-co-pay-program). If you are eligible, you will be able to immediately download a card to show at the pharmacy.

If you are prescribed Lagevrio (molnupiravir):
Ask your pharmacy if they still have government-purchased supplies. If the pharmacy still has Lagevrio that they received for free from the U.S. government, they must dispense the free supply – you just need to ask.
Once the U.S. Government purchased (free) supply runs out, the Merck Patient Assistance Program will provide Lagevrio free of charge to eligible individuals, primarily the uninsured who, without assistance, could not afford the medicine. Individuals who don't meet the insurance criteria may still qualify for this program if they attest that they have special circumstances of financial and medical hardship, and their income meets the program criteria.
a. To learn more about the Merck Patient Assistance Program and the eligibility criteria, visit: www.merckhelps.com/LAGEVRIO
b. If you believe that you meet the eligibility criteria for the Merck Patient Assistance Program, call toll-free 800-727-5400 and tell the program representative that you are making an Urgent Need request for Lagevrio. Then follow the program representative's instructions to submit your request.

Question 4

Do I need to have insurance?

Answer

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.

Question 5

If I have insurance, will it be billed?

Answer

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.

Question 6

Can I pick up my medication today?

Answer

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.

Question 7

How long is this free service available to California residents?

Answer

This free program provided by the California Department of Public Health is available until February 29, 2024.

Question 8

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

Answer

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.

Question 9

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

Answer

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.