What conditions can be treated via telemedicine?

Common telemedicine conditions include: cold, flu, and COVID symptoms; allergies and sinus infections; UTIs and yeast infections; skin rashes and acne; eye infections (pink eye); medication refills; mental health counseling; minor injuries; digestive issues; and chronic condition management. Generally, 30–40% of primary care visits can be handled virtually.

How much does a telemedicine visit cost?

With insurance: $0–25 copay (many plans now cover virtual visits at $0). Without insurance: $50–75 through direct-to-consumer services (GoodRx Care, Sesame, PlushCare). Through your employer's telehealth benefit: often $0. Compared to $50–200+ for in-person visits, the savings are substantial.

Is telemedicine as effective as in-person visits?

For appropriate conditions, studies show telemedicine delivers equivalent outcomes to in-person care. Patient satisfaction is generally high, and antibiotic prescribing rates are similar. The key is using telemedicine for suitable conditions and recognizing when an in-person visit or ER is necessary.

Can telemedicine doctors prescribe medication?

Yes, telemedicine doctors can prescribe most non-controlled medications. They can send prescriptions electronically to your preferred pharmacy. Controlled substances (like certain pain medications and ADHD medications) have stricter rules — some states require an initial in-person visit.

What about urgent care vs telemedicine?

Urgent care visits cost $150–$500 (with or without insurance). Many conditions treated at urgent care — UTIs, sinus infections, minor rashes, cold/flu — can be handled via telemedicine for $0–75. Unless you need labs, X-rays, or stitches, telemedicine should be your first call.

Does my insurance cover telemedicine?

Most commercial insurance plans now cover telemedicine, many with $0 copay. Medicare covers telehealth with the same cost-sharing as in-person visits. Medicaid coverage varies by state but has expanded significantly. Check your plan's telemedicine benefits — they may be better than you think.

Telemedicine Savings Calculator

Calculate how much you save by using telemedicine visits instead of in-person doctor visits, urgent care, or emergency room visits.

Quick Scenarios:

Shiftable Visits / YearVisits that could be done via telehealth

Telemedicine Copay

In-Person Visit Copay

Travel Cost / VisitGas, parking, ride-share

Time Off Value / VisitLost wages or productivity

In-Person Total / Visit

$95.00

Copay + travel + time off

Savings per Visit

$80.00

84.2% less than in-person

Annual Savings

$480.00

From 6 shifts to telehealth

5-Year Savings

$2,400.00

Cumulative benefit of telehealth

Annual Cost Comparison

In-Person Only	$570.00
Telehealth Only	$90.00
Annual Savings	$480.00

Savings Impact

$480.00

Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Telemedicine Savings Calculator

Telemedicine has transformed routine healthcare access, offering convenient and affordable virtual visits typically costing $0–$75 compared to $100–$300+ for in-person doctor visits, $150–$500 for urgent care, and $500–$3,000+ for emergency room visits.

Many insurance plans now cover telemedicine with $0–25 copays, and several standalone telehealth services offer visits for $50–75 without insurance. For non-emergency conditions like cold/flu, allergies, skin issues, UTIs, and prescription refills, telemedicine provides equivalent care at a fraction of the cost.

This calculator estimates your annual savings from substituting telemedicine for applicable in-person visits. These are educational estimates only — actual costs depend on your insurance and providers.

When This Page Helps

Most people don't realize how much they can save by shifting appropriate visits to telemedicine. This calculator quantifies the savings including both direct costs and indirect savings like travel and time off work.

How to Use the Inputs

Enter the number of visits per year you could shift to telemedicine.
Enter your telemedicine copay or cost per visit.
Enter your typical in-person visit cost (copay or full price).
Enter optional savings for travel and time off work.
Review your total annual savings from telemedicine.

Formula used

In-Person Cost per Visit = Copay + Travel Cost + Time Off Value
Telemedicine Cost per Visit = Telemedicine Copay
Savings per Visit = In-Person Cost − Telemedicine Cost
Annual Savings = Savings per Visit × Visits Shifted to Telemedicine

Example Calculation

Result: Annual savings: $480 | $80 per visit

In-person: $50 copay + $15 travel + $30 time value = $95 per visit. Telemedicine: $15 copay. Savings: $80 per visit × 6 visits = $480 annually. Plus the convenience of no waiting room, no commute, and flexible scheduling.

Tips & Best Practices

Many plans offer $0 telemedicine copays — check your benefits before assuming you'll pay.
Telemedicine is best for: cold/flu symptoms, allergies, skin rashes, UTIs, medication refills, and mental health.
Not suitable for: emergencies, conditions requiring physical examination, complex diagnostics.
Some telemedicine services (like GoodRx Care, Sesame) don't require insurance and cost $20–75.
These are educational estimates — actual savings depend on your specific insurance and providers.
Don't forget the soft savings: no babysitter, no time off work, no exposure to sick patients in waiting rooms.

The True Cost of an In-Person Visit

An in-person doctor visit costs more than just the copay. Factor in: round-trip travel (gas, parking, or ride-share), time off work or lost productivity (1–3 hours), childcare if needed, and waiting room exposure to other sick patients. The true all-in cost of a routine visit can be $100–$200+ even with insurance.

Building a Telemedicine-First Strategy

Adopt a "telehealth first" approach: when a health issue arises, ask yourself if it could be handled virtually. If yes, schedule a telemedicine visit. If the provider determines you need in-person care, they'll refer you. This triage approach saves money and time without compromising care quality.

Employer Telemedicine Benefits

Many employers now offer free or low-cost telemedicine through services like Teladoc, MDLive, or Amwell. These benefits are often underutilized — fewer than 20% of employees use available telehealth benefits. Check with HR about your company's telehealth offerings.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated: February 9, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Common telemedicine conditions include: cold, flu, and COVID symptoms; allergies and sinus infections; UTIs and yeast infections; skin rashes and acne; eye infections (pink eye); medication refills; mental health counseling; minor injuries; digestive issues; and chronic condition management. Generally, 30–40% of primary care visits can be handled virtually.