About Sesame

What is Sesame?

Sesame saves you time and money on doctor appointments, specialists, imaging, prescriptions, and more. Find top doctors near you across 80+ specialties and pay them directly to save up to 60% on prescription refills, skin consults, imaging, dentistry, therapy, labs, and more. Thousands of appointments are available today at unbeatable cash prices.

Why is Sesame different?

Sesame is the first direct-to-patient care marketplace that connects patients with real, quality doctors.

Who is Sesame for?

Sesame is made for everyone - regardless of your insurance status. On Sesame, you can find, book, and pay doctors directly at unbeatable cash prices. Many of our customers either do not have insurance coverage or use Sesame to save money by paying doctors directly.

How does booking care on Sesame work?

Sesame makes it easier than ever to find and pay doctors online directly - allowing you to book an in-person or telehealth appointment in less than two minutes. To get care today, follow these easy steps:

  • Search for telehealth or in-person appointments by specialty, condition, or doctor
  • Choose a doctor at the right price and time for you.
  • Pay for your appointment online at direct-discount prices.
  • Before your appointment begins, complete a brief medical history form.
  • If you’re seeing a doctor online, click the link sent to your email to join a secure online telehealth appointment. If you’re seeing a doctor in person, go to their office at the time of your appointment.
  • If you are prescribed medication and choose medication delivery, it is usually delivered to your home within 2-3 business days. Otherwise, you can select a local pharmacy often with same-day pick-up. Providers on Sesame can prescribe anything medically appropriate, except for the limited set of controlled substances (as defined under the Controlled Substances Act).

Does Sesame take my insurance?

Providers on Sesame are incredibly affordable and often less expensive than your copay. The services listed are out-of-network with insurance companies for appointments, but depending on your coverage, your insurance may reimburse you for money spent on healthcare from a provider not normally covered in your insurance network. Sesame provides you with a bill to submit to your insurance for your appointments.

If you have medication prescribed to a local pharmacy, you can use your insurance to pay for medication, and you will only owe your copay or deductible costs for that medication.

We also accept HSA and FSA payments for appointments and medication.

Who are the doctors on Sesame?

All clinicians on Sesame (doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, etc.) are independent medical professionals.

What is Sesame’s cancellation policy?

Sesame’s cancellation policy makes booking, canceling, and rescheduling easy. Sesame will honor a full refund for any of our appointments when canceled within the following time constraints:

  • Virtual appointments: cancel up to 3 hours before the scheduled appointment.
  • In-person appointments: cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled appointment.
  • All other appointments (including labs, imaging, and appointments that do not have a specific day or time at purchase): cancel up to 10 days after the purchase date once Sesame confirms with the provider that the appointment did not take place.
  • Memberships: You may cancel your subscription to Membership Services at any time up to forty-eight (48) hours before the applicable renewal processing date of your subscription, by emailing support@sesamecare.com directly requesting a cancellation, or by calling +1 (877) 947-6411 to cancel. If you cancel the Membership Services and your subscription term has not expired, you may continue to use the Membership Services until the end of your then-current subscription monthly or annual term and your subscription will not be renewed after your then-current term expires. However, you won't be eligible for a prorated refund of any portion of the recurring subscription fee paid for the then-current recurring subscription term.

We are unable to offer refunds for the following:

  • No-shows.
  • Requests within 24 hours of your appointment time for in-person appointments.
  • Requests within 3 hours of your appointment time for virtual appointment.s
  • Requests to prescribe a particular medication or complete particular paperwork that is not accepted.
  • Surgical procedures with confirmed scheduling.
  • A lab must be completed within 7 days of purchase. Sesame cannot issue a refund after the 7-day window.
  • Any refund request more than 10 days after the scheduled visit.

If you make a same-day appointment by mistake and need to cancel, Sesame will refund you if you request a cancellation within one hour of completing the purchase.

Email us at support@sesamecare.com or call us at 1 (877) 947-6411 between 9 AM and 7 PM EST, Monday through Friday, or between 9 AM and 6 PM EST on Saturday and Sunday. We'll resolve your questions as quickly as we can.

Am I eligible to use Sesame?

Yes, Sesame is open to everyone, regardless of insurance coverage. That means people with insurance, without insurance and anything in-between can use Sesame.

Is my payment and medical 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.

Can I obtain copies of my visit notes or a visit summary?

Sesame does not currently provide visit summaries - this is up to the discretion of the provider.

In the event that you would like to request access to your visit chart or encounter notes, please reach out to support@sesamecare.com. Sesame requires you to complete a release authorization form and charge a rate of $6.50 per request. Sesame will complete your request within 30 calendar days.

Can I cancel my membership?

Sesame Plus members can cancel their membership at any time by contacting our Customer Support. Email us at support@sesamecare.com or call us at (877) 947-6411. Once you cancel, you will no longer be billed for future periods. Partial refunds are not available.

About providers on Sesame

What kind of specialties does Sesame offer?

Sesame makes it easier and more affordable than ever for patients to find trusted specialists across 80+ specialties for online appointments or in-person visits in . Specialties listed on Sesame include primary care, radiology, mental health, dentistry, dermatology, cardiology, endocrinology, and more.

How does Sesame vet providers?

Clinicians listed on Sesame are independent clinicians who provide care directly to patients, or in some cases may be contracted with Sesame affiliated medical groups. Every clinician publicly listed on Sesame shares their active licensure, years of practice, education, training, and specializations as a condition for listing on the platform. Patients can fully evaluate their options to help ensure the provider is a good fit for them. However, the inclusion of any provider on the Services page shall not be considered as an endorsement of such health care provider by Sesame. You should conduct your own due diligence concerning the qualifications of a health care provider before paying for or receiving care. Clinicians listed do not work for Sesame, and Sesame does not directly supervise their care.

What medical advisors does Sesame consult?

You can read more about our medical advisors on our team page.

Can doctors on Sesame treat an emergency?

No. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Is there anything doctors on Sesame won’t treat?

Any service listed on Sesame can be treated by doctors on the platform. Any specific exclusions to an appointment can be found in the service description. Telehealth appointments will not result in a prescription for controlled substances. If you are looking for a prescription for controlled substances, you should find a local clinician with whom you can establish an in-person relationship.

Can I get an MRI, x-ray or other imaging through Sesame?

Yes, you can find all imaging services here

About telehealth appointments

What is a telehealth appointment?

Telehealth appointments also called telemedicine are medical visits that take place over face-to-face real-time video with fully licensed medical professionals including doctors or nurse practitioners.

What is a telehealth appointment and how does it work?

Telehealth appointments allow you to access quality care right from home, often at a better price. Doctors on Sesame provide high-quality care over video, including screening for COVID-19, diagnosing your eczema, treating erectile dysfunction, crafting a treatment plan to fight depression, and so much more. To get the most out of your visit, make sure you are in a well-lit space with a solid wifi connection.

How do I access my telehealth appointment?

After you book a video appointment, you will receive both an initial confirmation and a reminder via email and text.

There are three ways in which a video visit can be accessed:

  • Select "Join virtual appointment" from the booking confirmation email.
  • If you have an existing account or created one at purchase, log in at sesamecare.com, navigate to 'My appointments,' and select "Join virtual appointment."
  • Click the link in the text message sent to you 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

We suggest using Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to connect to your visit.

What should I do if I didn’t receive my invite?

Your booking confirmation will include a link to the video appointment. If you have not received a booking confirmation email, please contact Sesame Customer Support at +1 (877) 947-6411 or support@sesamecare.com.

What should I do if my doctor doesn’t join the appointment?

If your provider has not joined the visit within 20 minutes of your appointment time, please contact Sesame Customer Support at +1 (877) 947-6411 or support@sesamecare.com.

What if I do not have a camera?

If you do not have access to a camera, please contact Sesame Customer Support at +1 (877) 947-6411 or support@sesamecare.com. While many visits can be conducted via phone, it cannot be guaranteed with purchase.

How will I know if the appointment I’m booking is via video?

The service name and details will clarify if the appointment you’re booking is via video.

What should I do if I need lab work?

National lab chains will still accept standard lab orders via fax or online portal. Please confirm with the lab regarding scheduling for in-person collection. COVID-19 lab orders are generally not being collected at Quest and LabCorp locations.

Can my provider prescribe medication?

Yes, physicians on Sesame can prescribe a wide range of medications, which can be useful for infections, allergies, and other acute ailments. Please note that they will not prescribe certain drugs, such as narcotics or medications that have been designated controlled substances through telehealth.

Otherwise, many of the prescriptions available in an office setting or urgent care can be prescribed if your clinician deems it appropriate.

Can I receive a work note or other paperwork with my visit?

Providers are able to issue notes, referrals, lab orders, or other paperwork when deemed appropriate. Providers are not able to assist with worker's compensation, FMLA, disability, or insurance paperwork. In-person care is sometimes required to obtain paperwork from a provider.

Inclusions and exclusions can be viewed prior to booking in the service details.

Work note or other paperwork requests must be shared before or at the time of service. Sesame is unable to facilitate paperwork requests after completion of the visit.

Sesame is unable to provide paperwork specific to requirements for filing insurance claims.

Can I obtain controlled substances or narcotics on Sesame?

Sesame providers are unable to prescribe controlled substances, including narcotics, through virtual visits. These prescriptions may be prescribed in an office setting and require in person care, if deemed clinically appropriate.

How can I prepare for my telehealth appointment?

After booking your telehealth appointment on Sesame, you will receive a link to test the phone, tablet, or computer where you will speak with your provider. Sesame will send you a unique and secure webpage for you to access your telehealth appointment directly from your web browser. In the rare case that you run into any technical issues, our friendly support team is available to walk you through any challenges.

About cost, pricing, and offerings

What are my payment options?

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

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), these accounts often include debit cards you can use for purchases. These cards can also be used on Sesame.

Do I have to pay online or can I pay at the doctor’s office?

All appointments booked on Sesame must be paid for online.

How much does each appointment cost?

Prices are set individually by each provider.

Do I need to be a member to use Sesame?

No, you do not need to be a member to take advantage of Sesame’s unbeatable prices. Services are priced individually and available to everyone at affordable direct-pay prices. However, if you want to save up to 25% on all services and get the most out of Sesame, you can join our monthly membership Sesame Plus. Learn more about Sesame memberships here.

Can I use insurance to pay for my appointment?

Sesame services are paid directly, separate from health insurance.

If your insurance includes a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use your funds from these accounts to pay for care on Sesame. Some of these plans include a debit card you can use to pay upfront, and others require you to submit your receipt after your purchase. Your booking confirmation will serve as your receipt. Sesame does not provide any additional paperwork.

Providers are unable to assist with insurance claims, including prescriptions.

Can I cancel my appointment at any time?

We get it - stuff happens. That’s why we make it easy to cancel or reschedule your appointment if something comes up. With Sesame, you can cancel up to 3 hours before any virtual appointment and 24 hours before any in-person appointments — for free (except for surgical procedures that require advance scheduling). Plus, if the provider is unable to see you for any reason, we’ll refund your payment in full. We are unable to offer refunds for the following:

  • No-shows.
  • Requests within 24 hours of your appointment time for in-person appointments.
  • Requests within 3 hours of your appointment time for virtual appointments.
  • Requests to prescribe a particular medication or complete particular paperwork that is not accepted.
  • Surgical procedures with confirmed scheduling.
  • A lab must be completed within 7 days of purchase. Sesame cannot issue a refund after the 7-day window.
  • Any refund request more than 10 days after the scheduled visit.

While Sesame has a strict 24-hour cancellation policy, if you make a same-day appointment by mistake and need to cancel, Sesame will refund you if you cancel within one hour of completing the purchase. Email us at support@sesamecare.com or call us at 1 (877) 947-6411 between 9 AM and 7 PM Eastern, Monday through Friday and 9 AM . We'll resolve your questions as quickly as we can.

What if I need to reschedule my appointment?

Reschedules must occur within 24 hours of the appointment time.

Can I get a prescription refilled?

Yes, you can book a video or in-person prescription refill appointment in which a provider will review current medications and prescribe a refill if necessary. Search appointments here.

Can I use any pharmacy when getting a refill?

Yes, your doctor can send the prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.

Do I have to pay for a follow-up appointment?

Unless stated otherwise in your appointment, if you need a follow-up appointment, you will need to book and pay for that separately.

Can I pay for my visit with an FSA or HSA?

If your insurance includes a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use your funds from these accounts to pay for care on Sesame. Some of these plans include a debit card you can use to pay upfront, and others require you to submit your receipt after your purchase.

About insurance

Can I use Sesame if I have insurance?

Yes. Sesame is complementary to health insurance, helping you find affordable prices and save money on care for when your plan falls short. Even when you have health insurance, high deductibles and gaps in coverage can mean your plan falls short. If you have insurance, Sesame can help you find great care for less than your deductible and see top-notch doctors without the hassle. Insurance companies make you jump through hoops just to take good care of yourself. With Sesame, you can book whatever you need with our simple online tools.

Please note: Sesame is unable to provide paperwork outside of the booking confirmation to meet requirements for insurance claims.

Can I use Sesame if I don’t have insurance?

Yes, Sesame is designed for everyone - regardless of your insurance status. The price listed for appointments, prescriptions, and labs is the price you pay - every single time. While appointments may be HSA/FSA reimbursable, we do not work directly with any insurance networks or companies.

Does Sesame work with my insurance?

Sesame is complementary to health insurance, helping you find affordable prices and save money on care for when your plan falls short.

Sesame works directly with doctors to determine the prices for their services while cutting out the middleman of insurance plans. This can lead to prices 60% less than comparable services on an insurance network.

Does Sesame replace my current health insurance?

No, if you have insurance, you should not cancel it to use Sesame. Sesame is complementary to health insurance, helping you find affordable prices and save money on care for when your plan falls short.

Will my co-pay apply towards the cost of an appointment?

No, you cannot apply your co-pay to the cost of your appointment.

Can Sesame providers complete paperwork for insurance claims or prescription authorizations?

Sesame providers are unable to complete prior authorizations or provide specific paperwork related to insurance claims or prior-authorizations, including for prescriptions.

About SesameRx

How does SesameRx work?

SesameRx makes it easier and more affordable than ever to get prescription medication sent right to your door.

  1. Book and complete an appointment with a doctor, specialist, or provider who can write prescriptions through Sesame. Look for the "$5 med" tag on the provider card.
  2. If your appointment results in a prescription, we'll send you an email and text after to complete your purchase.
  3. We'll send your medication right to your door within 4 business days of shipping - with free delivery.

Sesame is not a pharmacy. As part of its prescription services, Sesame facilitates the delivery of prescription medication by its partner, Truepill pharmacy. Please refer to the Sesame terms of service for further information.

How do I get a prescription?

Our end-to-end integrated prescription offering makes it easy to get affordable prescriptions delivered right to your door. Simply book and complete an appointment with a doctor, specialist, or provider who can write prescriptions through Sesame. If your appointment results in a prescription, we'll send you an email and text after to complete your purchase. Once you pay for your meds, we'll send them right to your door within three to five business days - with $0 delivery.

Note: Prescriptions are always at the discretion of your provider. Provider appointments are designed to evaluate your condition and craft a treatment plan that works for you. If your appointment does not result in a prescription, your appointment is non-refundable. Controlled substances and narcotics are not available through Sesame.

My Sesame provider sent my prescription through Sesame. How do I complete the purchase?

If your Sesame provider writes you a prescription through SesameRx, you'll receive an email or text with a link to complete your purchase. We take your privacy seriously. Rest assured that the email and text will never include the name of your medication. Once you've paid for your meds, we'll put your prescription in the mail and send it right to your door - with $0 delivery.

How much does my medication cost?

While most pill-based medications start at just $5 for 30 pills, the final price you pay depends on your medication and how your doctor wrote your prescription. For example, if your medication costs $5 for 30 pills and your doctor prescribed 45 pills, you'll be charged $7.50 at checkout ($5/30 pills * 45 pills prescribed.)

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping is always free when you (re)fill prescriptions with Sesame.

How long will it take for my medication to arrive?

Once you've paid for your meds, your prescription will be processed and shipped as soon as possible. Once in the mail, you can expect your medication to arrive in about 4 business days via USPS First-Class Mail. We'll email you the tracking number when your meds are on the way.

When will I get my refills?

Refills are shipped at regular intervals for the length of your prescription - depending on how your provider wrote your prescription. Our care team will time it so that your next shipment will arrive before you run out of your current medication.

You'll be sent an email notification about a week before we begin processing your refill. You may find the exact processing date of your next refill in the Your Prescriptions section when you log in to your Sesame account.

Can I cancel my medication shipments?

You may cancel shipments that have not been processed at any time.

To cancel, log in to your Sesame account and go to the Your Prescriptions section. Choose the medication you wish to cancel and click Cancel Medication Subscription.

What is SesameRx's refund and return policy?

We do not offer a refund or return for medications that have been processed.

How can I view the status of my prescription?

Prescriptions will begin processing after you've paid for your medication. You can view the status of a prescription by logging into your account and going to the Your Prescriptions section. We'll also email you the tracking information once your medication has shipped.

Do you accept insurance for medications?

Medication (re)filled through SesameRx is exclusively cash-pay. We do not accept insurance for the provider appointment or the medication, you can submit a reimbursement to your HSA and FSA.

If a clinician sends your prescription to your local pharmacy, you can pick up and pay with a method of your choice, including your FSA/HSA, prescription card, cash, credit, and more.

I already have a prescription from a non-Sesame provider, can I transfer it and purchase SesameRx's medications?

Unfortunately, we're not able to support transfers of prescriptions from other providers to Sesame at this time. If you would like to purchase medication through Sesame, please book a visit an appointment with one of the providers on Sesame.

My medication hasn't arrived yet. What do I do?

You should have received an email from Sesame with your shipment tracking number. You can also view the status of your prescription in the ‘Your Prescriptions’ section of your Sesame account. If your shipment hasn't arrived on time - or you're unable to find your package - please contact our customer support at 1-877-947-6411 or support@sesamecare.com.

About provider reviews

Does Sesame moderate provider reviews?

Yes, we moderate reviews to ensure they are informational, helpful, and trustworthy, while not sharing any Protected Health Information about a patient.

Are all reviews verified?

Yes, all provider reviews are verified to guarantee that reviews are only left by real patients. All reviews on Sesame are directly from patients who have already had an appointment with a provider.

How do I leave a review after my appointment?

After your appointment, you will receive an email from us asking for feedback. Follow the link in the email to review your provider. After you submit your feedback, our team will review it to ensure no personal information is shared. Approved reviews are published in a few days.

Are all provider reviews posted?

We make an effort to publish all provider reviews. However, if your review includes any of the following information, we may choose to withhold the review:

  1. Personal Information: Reviews with personally identifiable information will not be shared. All Protected Health Information (PHI) will be removed before posting the review.
  2. Profanity: Reviews with offensive content or profanity will not be posted.
  3. Accuracy of diagnosis/ treatment plan: While we encourage you to describe your experience with the provider, we don’t publish claims about the accuracy of a provider’s treatment or diagnosis.

I submitted a review. Why hasn’t it been posted yet?

We have a team that moderates all reviews to ensure your privacy is protected and guarantee that all reviews are helpful and accurate reflections of our providers. That way, other patients can confidently select a provider that will best match their needs. This process can take a few days. We appreciate your patience.

Does Sesame post only positive reviews?

No, we make an effort to publish all provider reviews. Reviews help patients confidently select a provider that will best match their needs. We believe that holistic, authentic customer feedback is important to empower patients to make informed decisions.