About
Sesame Care is a direct-pay telehealth platform that eliminates insurance middlemen to deliver affordable, same-day access to healthcare. Patients can book visits with board-certified doctors, specialists, and nurse practitioners across 36 specialties — from urgent care and mental health to weight loss, dermatology, women's health, and pediatrics — starting at just $35 per visit. The platform features 'Ask Sesame,' an AI-powered tool that allows patients to describe symptoms (even importing prior ChatGPT conversations) to quickly find the most appropriate care pathway. For ongoing needs, Sesame offers subscription-style medication management for mental health prescriptions, GLP-1 weight-loss medications (including Wegovy pill, Ozempic, and Mounjaro), and skincare treatment plans. Key differentiators include same-day availability, transparent upfront pricing, no surprise bills, HSA/FSA acceptance, and the ability to choose your own provider. SesamePlus membership unlocks additional savings, while Sesame @ Work extends affordable care access to employers and their teams. With over $50M saved by patients, a 4.9-star app rating, and 95% patient satisfaction, Sesame is designed for uninsured individuals, those with high-deductible plans, and anyone seeking fast, cost-effective healthcare without the traditional waiting room experience.
Key Features
- Same-Day Provider Access: Book same-day virtual or in-person appointments with board-certified doctors across 36 specialties — often within an hour.
- Ask Sesame AI Symptom Tool: AI-powered intake tool that accepts symptom descriptions or prior ChatGPT conversations to route patients to the right care quickly.
- Transparent, Insurance-Free Pricing: Pay-per-visit pricing starts at $35 with no hidden fees, surprise bills, or insurance requirements. HSA and FSA payments are accepted.
- Ongoing Medication Management: Subscription-based programs for mental health prescriptions, GLP-1 weight-loss medications, and skincare Rx — with in-app tracking and easy adjustments.
- Sesame @ Work & SesamePlus Membership: Employer-facing plans and a consumer membership tier that unlocks exclusive discounts and promotions across all services.
Use Cases
- An uninsured individual needs a same-day urgent care visit for a sinus infection and books a $35 virtual appointment without an ER trip.
- A patient managing anxiety uses Sesame's monthly mental health prescription program to get and refill Sertraline with easy in-app tracking.
- Someone looking to lose weight enrolls in Sesame's GLP-1 medication program, starting Wegovy at $149/month without a specialist waitlist.
- An employer partners with Sesame @ Work to provide affordable telehealth access to their team as a low-cost benefits supplement.
- A parent books a same-day pediatric visit for a child's ear infection, choosing a provider and completing the visit from home within hours.
Pros
- Dramatically Lower Costs: Visits start at $35 and the platform has saved patients over $50M — making it ideal for uninsured or high-deductible patients.
- Fast, Convenient Access: Same-day appointments, no waiting rooms, and an AI tool that speeds up the intake process by leveraging prior symptom conversations.
- Broad Service Coverage: Covers 383 services across 36 specialties including urgent care, mental health, weight loss, women's health, dermatology, and pediatrics.
- High Patient Satisfaction: Rated 4.9 stars on the app store with 95% patient satisfaction, reflecting consistent quality of care and provider experience.
Cons
- Not a Substitute for Emergency Care: Sesame is not equipped for emergencies or complex in-person procedures — patients with acute or life-threatening conditions must use traditional ERs.
- Provider Practices Are Independent: Sesame-affiliated providers operate independently, which can mean variability in bedside manner, availability, and treatment approaches.
- Limited Insurance Integration: The platform is primarily direct-pay; while HSA/FSA is accepted, traditional insurance billing is not natively supported for most visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need insurance to use Sesame Care?
No. Sesame operates on a direct-pay model, so you pay providers directly at transparent, pre-listed prices. No insurance is required, though HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
How quickly can I see a doctor on Sesame?
Many patients are able to book and complete a same-day appointment, sometimes within an hour of signing up, depending on provider availability in their area.
What is 'Ask Sesame' and how does the AI work?
Ask Sesame is an AI-powered tool that helps you describe your symptoms and find the right type of care. You can even paste in a prior conversation from ChatGPT or another AI to speed up the intake process.
What is SesamePlus and is it worth it?
SesamePlus is Sesame's membership plan that gives subscribers access to exclusive discounts and promotions on top of already-reduced visit prices, making it valuable for patients who use the platform regularly.
Can Sesame prescribe medications?
Yes. Board-certified providers on Sesame can prescribe a wide range of medications, including mental health prescriptions, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (e.g., Wegovy, Ozempic), and more, depending on your condition and state regulations.
