It depends on your needs. Virtual care (telemedicine) is convenient for discussing symptoms, prescriptions, and general concerns.

However, some health appointments, like physical exams or certain lab tests, require an in-person visit. If you're not sure what type of medical care to book, start with a virtual visit through Sesame! Your provider can advise if in-person care is needed.

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 provider
  
• Choose a provider at a price and time that work for you.
  
• Pay for your appointment online, up front.
  
• 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 deemed medically appropriate, except for the limited set of controlled substances (as defined under the Controlled Substances Act).
  

You can get care online for a wide range of health needs on Sesame, including:

• Prescription refills
• Urgent care visits (cold & flu, UTIs, COVID, sinus infections, back pain, nausea, sports injuries, wound care, etc)
• Primary care visits (doctor’s notes, chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc)
• Weight loss
• Dermatology (acne, eczema, rashes, etc.)
• Sexual health (BV, ED consults, at-home STD test kit, etc.)
• Women’s health (birth control, vaginal infections, yeast infections, menopause, PCOS, etc.)
• Mental health (therapy and psychiatry for anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD & more)
• Pediatrics (ear infections, strep throat, pink eye, etc.)
  
  If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not use telemedicine. Instead, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

To book an online doctor appointment on Sesame, simply use our search bar to look up your health concern (such as "prescription refill", "weight loss", or "UTI").

From there, simply browse providers, choose a time that works for you, and book your appointment. You’ll receive a booking confirmation with a link for your video visit, which you can join from your desktop, tablet or smartphone.

If your provider prescribes medication as part of your treatment plan, they’ll send it to your preferred pharmacy for same-day pickup.

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.

After you book your appointment, you’ll receive a video link via text and/or email. Simply click that link at your scheduled appointment time to join your video visit.

You can join your appointment using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

• On a smartphone or tablet: Download the Sesame Care app for the best experience.
• On a computer: Just use a web browser like Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox.
  
  While Sesame supports face-to-face video communications, turning on your video is not required if this makes you uncomfortable.

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.

Sometimes! Depending on the prescription medication that you need refilled, you may be able to get a prescription refill without direct consultation with your doctor. Based on the medication you need and the state you live in, you might be able to get your prescription refilled online.

Telehealth has made it easier than ever to get in touch with a health care professional for a prescription refill. Sesame offers convenient and affordable 15-minute video visits with real, quality doctors in Turlock, CA, so you can refill your prescription without the hassle of going to a doctor's office. It's simple: Search for the care you need, compare prices, and book a refill visit on your schedule.

Note: You cannot refill a prescription for a controlled substance without a doctor's consultation. Doctors on Sesame cannot prescribe narcotics or medication classified as controlled substances.

Benzonatate is a prescription medication used to relieve coughing. Benzonatate helps numb the throat and lungs, reducing the reflex to cough.

Doctors prescribe benzonatate to alleviate coughs caused by the common cold, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. It is a non-narcotic cough medication, meaning that it is not generally habit-forming. While benzonatate can help quickly suppress your cough, it does not treat the underlying condition causing the cough.

While there are some common side effects associated with benzonatate, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed this medication because its effectiveness as a cough suppressor outweighs the adverse effects it may cause.

Common side effects of benzonatate may include:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Stuffy nose

Rare but serious side effects may include:

• Rash or hives
• Itching
• Tightening of the throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Numbness of the chest
• Confusion

If these symptoms persist - or if you are experiencing any severe symptoms - contact your doctor immediately.

This is not a complete list of benzonatate side effects. To learn more about adverse reactions you may experience while taking this drug, visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.