PlushCare Review: Virtual Doctor Visits From Your Dorm

Doctor visits can be expensive. According to this CNBC article, the average American spends $10,345 on healthcare in 2016. This is a huge cost for anyone, let alone an individual in debt. Furthermore, for some things, going to the doctor can be just plain embarrassing.

But your health is one of those things you probably don’t want to ignore.

A relatively recent healthcare trend has emerged that has reduced the cost of doctor visits without compromising care: telemedicine. You can now take care of easy things like last minute prescription refills, birth control appointments, STD testing and simple urgent care visits for cold/flu from the privacy of your own home, at a low cost!

Telemedicine platforms like PlushCare make getting medical care less expensive because they don’t have expensive offices and equipment. The money PlushCare saves with lower overhead is passed onto the consumer. Meaning your doctor visits are $99 at most.

PlushCare is a video platform that allows you to talk to a doctor on your computer or smartphone. The doctors are able to diagnose, treat and prescribe medication for most illnesses and infections.

What Is PlushCare?

PlushCare is a platform that allows users to video conference with a world-class doctor from the comfort of your home.

A PlushCare doctor can treat anything from a sinus infection to a sexually transmitted disease. They simply talk to you about your symptoms, diagnose the problem and send a prescription to a pharmacy of your choosing, all within 15 minutes.

There are no waiting rooms, no hidden fees, and no hassle. 

What Can They Do For You?

PlushCare doctors are able to diagnose, recommend treatment, and prescribe medication for non-emergency medical issues including: cold and flu symptoms, bronchitis, allergies, pink eye, urinary tract infection, yeast infection, respiratory infection, sinus problems, ear infection and more.

PlushCare also offers STD checkups and other lab testing. You can custom order your labs to get any number of diagnostic tests done. The company is integrated with two national lab companies, Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, so that all of their customers have access to a lab near them.

PlushCare also provides preventive services like birth control and PrEP. For those unfamiliar, PrEP is an HIV prevention drug that acts like birth control - you take it once daily and minimize your risk of contracting HIV. They are revolutionizing the way that the healthcare system tackles preventive care by giving people access to these resources at their fingertips.

PlushCare can prescribe medication for: 

Why It's So Great

PlushCare only allows doctors from top 50 medical institutions, which means each physician you are consulting with is highly trained to diagnose and treat any medical issue that you may be dealing with.

The platform is also particularly convenient for college students, who may be far away from their primary care physician. PlushCare is a simple way to speak with a doctor without going on a wild goose chase for a physician in your area. 

Finally, if you have any issues, you can contact a Plushcare associate.

Ease Of Use

PlushCare’s simple website and application make it easy to speak with a doctor.

They guide you step-by-step through the booking process, allowing you to choose a physician, choose your pharmacy location, and upload any necessary photos for the doctor.

At the time of the appointment, you simply click (or tap) join video chat, and the doctor appears on your screen.

The Cost

Plushcare charges a flat-fee of $99 for their appointments. There is no membership requirement or additional charge. In comparison to an urgent care, where an average appointment runs roughly $200 or more, this is an extremely affordable option.

PlushCare does have a money back guarantee, so if you are unsatisfied with their service for any reason you will get a full refund.

They also accept most major forms of insurance, which means that the cost is simply your in-office or urgent care copay. This copay can be as low as $0, making it extra affordable.

You also save time with PlushCare, and, as we all know, time is money. By booking your appointment online and speaking with the doctor at your scheduled time slot, you avoid the risk of spending your day in a waiting room.

See how Plushcare compares to Heal.

How To Get Started

You can go to plushcare.com and select the physician of your choice. Each physician has a profile that details where they were educated and what they specialize in, making it easy to get to know your doctor. Once you’ve selected the appointment, you will create your user profile and complete the booking.

Book your appointment here. Use “collegeinvestor” for $10 off your first appointment.

Alternatively, you can give PlushCare a call at 1-800-221-5140, where their associates are ready and willing to help you book an appointment.

Have you tried PlushCare? We'd love to know your thoughts!