Help & Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Sesame created? What's the backstory?

We created Sesame because health care is a mess.

It's impossible to know how good a doctor is and if it’s worth it to see them. It’s even harder to know how much it will cost you to see them. Not only are health care prices high, the hidden costs, unexplained charges, unexpected late bills, and invoices from third parties make seeking care intimidating and (ultimately) unaffordable.

Sesame's founders think there is a better way. We believe in connecting doctors and patients directly, with up-front prices and clear descriptions of their medical services.

Sesame is designed for people who are uninsured or willing to pay their doctor directly.
We connect these patients and providers, making quality healthcare more accessible, affordable, and transparent.

Who is behind Sesame?

Sesame was founded by a team with decades of healthcare experience. We are medical experts, software developers, and consumer business veterans on a journey to make health care better for everyone.

We work with great doctors, helping them make the most of their working time, and making them available to you at fair, up-front prices. No monthly premiums, no deductibles, no subscriptions, and no co-pays required.

How are Sesame doctors able to offer such great prices?

Doctors use Sesame to help them fill available times. If their schedule opens up, they use Sesame to set a fair price for an appointment slot that would otherwise go unused. Doctors can see patients who are looking for care, which gives you to access to great doctors at affordable prices.

Because Sesame is pre-paid, doctors know they are getting paid up-front for their services. This allows them to charge less.

You know exactly how much it will cost before you go and doctors know how much they will receive for their work before you arrive. It’s a win-win.

How does Sesame source their doctors?

Sesame works with high-quality health care practices across the country -- doctors, physical therapists, and other health care providers -- who are committed to better serving direct pay patients.

Our Sesame doctors help find others in their communities and work with imaging centers, labs, and other services providers to get you fair prices if you need them.

How does Sesame work with my health insurance?

Sesame services are paid out-of-pocket, separate from health insurance.

If you are uninsured, Sesame is the best place to look for a fair price.

We help you access doctors at an affordable rate, potentially lowering your overall healthcare costs.

Why does Sesame require that I not file an insurance claim for services I book?

Insurance claims add a lot of administrative effort and costs to providers. Doctors are only able to offer great prices to patients who pay directly for their care upfront, removing the extensive paperwork of insurance reimbursement.

Should I cancel my health insurance and just use Sesame for my care?

We do not recommend doing this, since Sesame is not a replacement for health insurance.

Health insurance provides you with essential financial protection, especially in the case of major illness or accident. For patients who cannot afford insurance or are seeking alternatives for routine care, Sesame is offering fair up-front prices for the most convenient care.

What payment options do I have?

On Sesame you can pay using VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. You cannot pay by check, money orders, or cash.

Is my payment information safe?

Sesame uses Stripe, the most trusted, secure third-party payment platform in the world. Stripe is used by large technology platforms like Lyft, Etsy and Open Table.

Stripe keeps your payment information for all future purchases on their secure servers and no one else receives access to your payment information.

How does Sesame make money?

In the future, Sesame will charge a service fee depending on the cost of services. We’ll tell you before we start doing this.

Why does Sesame only have appointments in the next three days?

Sesame’s three-day window is part of how we keep prices affordable. Care providers share available times they are looking to fill. Schedules are more unpredictable 3+ days in advance, so we focus on the near term to help make logistics easier for everyone.

Why are prices different depending on the time of day?

Some Sesame doctors can be busier (or quieter) at different times of the day. If you are able to come at a time when they are less busy, you'll get a lower price. It's really that simple.

How does Sesame validate a doctor?

Sesame confirms provider licenses and credentials, thoroughly searches their history for any penalties or malpractice issues, visits the provider’s offices, and assesses all online reviews.

I want to talk to a live person there. Can I call you?

Our support team is available during the work day, and you can leave a message any time.

Depending on what time it is, you may be directed to a phone number for a one-on-one call, or to our live chat.

For technical questions, you can also reach out to the Sesame support team via email at support@sesamecare.com.

What is the cancellation policy?

Sesame offers up-front pricing for out-of-pocket care. Up-front payment assures doctors will be paid for this time. Because of this, we do not offer cancellation on appointments.

If you have accidentally selected the wrong service or time, or if you think there is a mistake in your purchase, contact us as soon as possible at support@sesamecare.com or via live chat. We will help resolve any questions as quickly as we can.

We're here to help.