Receiving the mental and behavioral care you need shouldn’t be complicated. Yet, traditional medicine would have you calling office after office looking for availability, being put on waiting lists, and sitting in crowded waiting rooms for hours because your provider somehow “double booked” their schedule. For those who already suffer from anxiety, it is not conducive to a healing environment.
That’s why we find online therapy services to be one of the greatest advancements of the last few decades. From the comfort of your own home you can gain access to counseling, psychiatric care, and so much more. The only problem with online therapy is the overwhelming number of choices. To help you out, we’ve created in-depth reviews, cost breakdowns, and comparative reviews of the most popular options on the market.
Today, we are looking at MDLive – a well established telemedicine provider. If you are interested in seeing where MDLive thrives, falls short, and everything in between, just keep reading.
2022 MDLive Review Score – 4.9/5
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4.8/5.0 |
| Features | 5.0/5.0 |
| Cost | 5.0/5.0 |
| Experience | 4.8/5.0 |
| Final Score | 4.9/5.0 |
Contents of our MDLive Review
- Pros and Cons of MDLive Therapy
- Fast Facts About MDLive Online Therapy
- The Sign-Up Process
- Services Offered by MDLive
- Reviewing MDLive Patient Privacy
- MDLive Cost and Insurance
- Verdict – Is MDLive Worth It?
- MDLive FAQ
Pros and Cons of MDLive Therapy
Pros
- Gain access to counseling and psychiatric services
- Insurance may cover your cost of your services
- Uninsured patients are welcome
- Psychiatric visits cost between $0-$284
- Counseling visits cost between $0-$108
- Sign up is fast and easy
- Patients can access additional medical services that pair well with behavioral health care
- Psychiatrists can prescribe medications in accordance to local regulations
Cons
- Utilizing insurance can be confusing and isn’t guaranteed
- You have to go through with sending an appointment request before you can see your costs
Fast Facts About MDLive Online Therapy
- Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Florida
- Provides a full range of telemedicine services
- Health providers are all licensed and highly educated
- Run by a highly experienced group of board members and executives
- 4.6 Stars and over 9,000 reviews on Google Play
- 4.7 stars and over 60,000 reviews on IOS app store
- MDLive doctors have an average of 15 years of experience
- Counseling and psychiatry services are available so patients can choose the service that best serves their needs and also fits their budget
The Sign-Up Process
Signing up at MDLive is impressively simple. First, enter your name and email, then choose a username and a password. You will then be asked to submit some additional information including your date of birth, phone number, zip code, and gender identification. You will also be asked if you are receiving MDLive services through an employer or insurance perk. If you are, don’t forget to mark this box! You don’t want to miss out on the discounts associated with this.
Once you have filled out all your information, simply confirm that you have read and understand their terms and conditions and click “create an account.”
Take a moment to navigate to your email and confirm your account through the link sent by MDLive. The confirmation link will direct you back to the website, where you can adjust your account by adding any dependents that might use the service as well. You can also upload a photo and adjust any of your personal information.
Services Offered by MDLive
MDLive offers both counseling and psychiatric services through their website and on their app. You can choose to attend the appointments over the phone or through video chat (Some states may require a video chat before medication can be prescribed). You can also receive standard medical care and dermatological care which can help you handle issues that work to exacerbate mental health disorders.
How MDLive Works
When you are signed up for MDLive, you will see a landing page with your name and a plus sign. This plus sign allows you to add dependents to your account. From this page you can do a couple things. If you would like to review information about medical conditions, seek customer help, change your profile, or anything else, you can follow the links lining the home page.
To request an appointment, simply click the name of the patient it is for and choose from the available services. The prices listed are the uninsured cost of the appointments, but those totals may be lower if your insurance can be applied.
Once you’ve selected the type of care you need, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that covers your medical history, current health, medications, etc. You can then choose from a list of providers and request an appointment with that provider. You must then wait for the provider to reply with an appointment confirmation.
The Extras We Found During Our MDLive Review
Since MDLive is a full service telemedicine provider, there are lots of useful extras available for patients. You can receive medical advice and prescriptions for ailments outside mental health care that might help reduce your day-to-day anxiety or depression. These services include dermatological care, which is not found at many other telemedicine providers.
Another great perk on MDLive is their informative videos to help patients understand the difference between types of service. You can find videos outlining counseling vs psychiatric care along with informative blog posts about a variety of illnesses and methods for handling mental health disorders.
When it comes to payment options, MDLive has a perk that many may find useful. That is the ability to pay for your appointments with your FSA or HSA. Especially in the face of immediate care needs, this option can help many patients get the care they both need and deserve. If you’d like to see other information about payments and costs at MDLive, check out our in-depth price breakdown for the site.
Reviewing MDLive Patient Privacy
MDLive has a thorough and transparent notice of privacy and security. They are HIPAA compliant and utilize patient information in ways that are considered reasonable and lawful. They use this information to better their platform and target their marketing. Additionally, they share your information with the medical professionals you see.
MDLive is also clear about their use of security protocol to protect information. They utilize application timeouts and encryption methods to help protect users who submit information through their platform.
MDLive Cost and Insurance
MDLive costs range depending on the use of insurance for your services. For counseling, costs can range from $0-$108, which is well below the national average for these services. Psychiatry costs are equally impressive with a range of $0-$284. If your insurance is accepted you may only need to pay your deductible or copay.
MDLive Costs
| Type of Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Therapy (Initial Visit) | $108 total |
| Therapy (Follow Up) | $108 per session |
| Psychiatry (Initial Visit) | $284 total |
| Psychiatry (Follow Up) | $108 per session |
Key Details About the Pricing at MDLive
- There is no fee to join the website or download the app
- There are no recurring charges for use of these services
- Prescribed medications cost extra
- Counseling appointments range in cost from $0-$108
- Psychiatric appointments range in cost from $0-$284
Does MDLive Offer Financial Assistance?
Though MDLive does accept insurance and medical spending plans, they don’t offer any inhouse financial assistance. However, you may be able to receive benefits through state provided healthcare.
Does MDLive take insurance?
Yes! MDLive accepts insurance and is covered by most insurance providers. To see if your insurance covers telemedicine services you can contact your insurance company directly. Alternatively, you can contact MDLive’s customer service online or via telephone for additional assistance.
Verdict – Is MDLive Therapy Worth It?
MDLive can offer affordable behavioral and mental health services to those who are uninsured. Though some other teletherapy providers do offer their services at a lower price, MDLive’s user friendly website and highly-credentialed providers do make up some of the difference. Where MDLive really shines is for those with insurance plans. It is a great and convenient way to access mental health care when you need it.
MDLive is great for people who:
- Have insurance that covers telemedicine and teletherapy
- Want access to both mental health care and standard health care on the same app
- Don’t want to be tied down by recurring membership fees
- Want to schedule appointments when you need them and based on their ability to pay
MDLive FAQ
Are all of the therapists at MDLive licensed?
Yes! The therapists on MDLive are licensed counselors and psychiatrists.
How long does it take at MDLive to get matched with a therapist?
When you request an appointment at MDLive you will be allowed to choose your own provider. Once you’ve chosen a provider, you can request an appointment, but it takes around one business day for the provider to confirm or alter the appointment.
Does MDLive take insurance?
Yes! MDLive accepts most major insurance providers depending on the individual plan you hold. You may also utilize your FSA or HSA to pay for services.
Is MDLive better than Dr. On Demand?
MDLive and Dr. On Demand are both full-service telemedicine providers, which means they are often compared. However, there are some major differences in pricing. If you’d like to see how they compare, take a look at Dr. On Demand’s in-depth review.
