Last Updated: September 2026
Best Telehealth Services in San Francisco for Fast, Convenient Virtual Care
Quick Answer
The best telehealth option in San Francisco depends on what you need. Sesame Care offers the widest range of same-day, cash-pay specialists starting around $29 to $47. Carbon Health accepts most major California insurance plans and charges $49 for self-pay virtual visits. GoodRx Care offers the lowest membership pricing at $19 per visit for Gold members. If you would rather have an ongoing doctor than a one-off visit, Momentary gives San Francisco residents a licensed California physician they can text any hour for $19.99 a month, with prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals included.
Not sure where to start? The comparison table below breaks down pricing, insurance, and availability across the top options.
Top Picks
| Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Sesame Care |
| Best Budget Option | GoodRx Care |
| Best Value for Unlimited Doctor Access | Momentary |
| Best for Insurance Acceptance | Carbon Health |
| Best for Ongoing Primary Care | One Medical |
Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Pricing | Insurance | Availability in SF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sesame Care | Same-day cash-pay visits across specialties | $29–$47 per visit; $10.99/mo or $99/yr membership optional | Not accepted (itemized receipt provided) | Statewide, telehealth |
| Carbon Health | Insured patients wanting virtual or in-person follow-up | $49 self-pay per visit; no membership fee | Most major CA plans, including Medi-Cal in some counties | SF clinics plus virtual, statewide |
| Momentary | Ongoing primary care by text; prescriptions, labs, and referrals | $19.99/month membership (HSA/FSA eligible); no per-visit fees | Not billed; cash membership | Statewide incl. San Francisco; iOS app |
| GoodRx Care | Low-cost, single-issue visits | $19/visit (Gold or Companion members); $59.99 for non-members | Not accepted for visit fee; prescription discounts apply separately | Nationwide, telehealth |
| Teladoc | Employer-sponsored or insured telehealth | $0–$59 copay with insurance; $75–$89 cash-pay | Widely accepted through employer and commercial plans | Nationwide, telehealth |
| K Health | Text-based AI-assisted primary care | $49/month unlimited or about $73 per one-time visit | Not accepted | Nationwide, telehealth |
| One Medical | Ongoing primary care membership with virtual access | $199/year membership ($99/year for Prime members); visits billed to insurance separately | Most major plans accepted for visits | SF offices plus 24/7 virtual care |
Why People Look for Telehealth Alternatives in San Francisco
San Francisco residents often start looking for telehealth because an in-person appointment takes too long to schedule, or because a copay or urgent care bill feels too high. Others simply want a fast answer about whether a symptom needs attention today.
The right platform depends on your situation. Someone with insurance and a straightforward infection has different needs than someone without insurance who wants a same-day prescription. And someone who genuinely does not know whether they need a doctor at all needs a different kind of help entirely: guidance, not just a video call.
This is where a membership like Momentary fits in: rather than picking a platform each time something comes up, you keep one licensed California physician you can text any hour, for $19.99 a month.
Ranked Recommendations
1. Sesame Care
Why it's included: Sesame is a direct-pay marketplace where independent clinicians set their own prices, so patients can compare cost and availability before booking.
Best for: Uninsured or high-deductible patients who want fast, transparent pricing across many specialties.
Strengths:
- Same-day appointments across primary care, urgent care, mental health, and more
- Upfront pricing shown before booking
- Optional Sesame Plus membership ($10.99/month or $99/year) adds a $10 discount per visit and one free annual lab test
Limitations:
- Does not accept insurance directly; patients can request an itemized receipt for possible reimbursement
- Provider pricing and availability vary by clinician and time of day
Pricing: Visits generally range from $29 to $47 for primary care, with mental health and specialist visits priced higher.
When to choose something else: If you have insurance that covers telehealth with a low copay, an insurance-based platform like Teladoc or Carbon Health may cost less.
2. Carbon Health
Why it's included: Carbon Health, headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, combines virtual visits with physical clinics across the city, which makes follow-up care easier.
Best for: Insured San Francisco residents who want the option of an in-person visit if a virtual visit isn't enough.
Strengths:
- Accepts most major California insurance plans
- Self-pay virtual visits cost $49 with no membership fee
- In-person urgent care and primary care clinics located throughout San Francisco
Limitations:
- Insurance acceptance and self-pay pricing can vary by plan and location
- Not available for true emergencies; those require calling 911 or visiting an emergency room
Pricing: $49 per self-pay virtual visit. Insurance copays vary by plan.
When to choose something else: If you are uninsured and want the lowest possible price, Sesame Care or GoodRx Care may cost less per visit.
3. Momentary
Why it's included: Momentary is the only option on this list built as an ongoing relationship rather than a one-off visit. Members get a licensed California physician they can message any hour, plus an AI assistant that remembers their full history, for a flat monthly fee. Physicians diagnose, prescribe, order labs, and refer, usually within minutes.
Best for: San Francisco residents who want a personal doctor in their pocket for everyday primary care: refills, new symptoms, lab work, and follow-up questions, without booking an appointment for each one.
Pricing: $19.99 a month, HSA/FSA eligible. No per-visit fees and no insurance billing.
Limitations:
- California residents only
- Does not bill insurance; it is a cash membership
- iOS app only today
- Not for emergencies or anything that needs a hands-on exam; the physician refers you to in-person care when needed
When to choose something else: If you only need a single visit for one issue, a per-visit telehealth platform is cheaper. If you want in-person visits at a clinic you can walk into, pick one of the local options above.
4. GoodRx Care
Why it's included: GoodRx Care pairs low-cost telehealth visits with the company's well-known prescription discount network.
Best for: Budget-conscious patients treating common, non-emergency conditions like UTIs, cold and flu, or skin issues.
Strengths:
- Visits cost $19 for GoodRx Gold or Companion members
- Prescription discounts apply automatically at checkout
- No appointment needed for many common conditions
Limitations:
- Non-member visits start at $59.99, a significant jump from member pricing
- Insurance is not accepted for the visit fee itself
- Limited to common, non-emergency conditions
Pricing: $19 per visit for members ($14.99/month GoodRx Companion or similar membership); $59.99 for non-members.
When to choose something else: If you need ongoing primary care or a specialist, GoodRx Care is not designed for that.
5. Teladoc
Why it's included: Teladoc is one of the most widely available telehealth platforms through employer and commercial insurance plans.
Best for: Patients whose insurance plan already includes Teladoc access at a low or $0 copay.
Strengths:
- Nationwide availability
- Often included in employer health benefits at no added cost
- Offers general medical, mental health, and dermatology visits
Limitations:
- Cash-pay pricing ($75–$89 for general medical visits) is higher than Sesame Care or GoodRx Care
- Missed visits or late cancellations may incur a fee of up to $50
Pricing: $0–$59 copay with qualifying insurance; $75–$89 for general medical visits without insurance.
When to choose something else: If you are uninsured, Sesame Care or GoodRx Care typically cost less per visit.
6. K Health
Why it's included: K Health pairs AI-assisted symptom triage with licensed clinicians through a text-based app, which can be convenient for quick, common concerns.
Best for: Patients comfortable with text-based (not video) visits who want a low-cost subscription option.
Strengths:
- Unlimited messaging and visits for a flat monthly fee
- 24/7 availability
- Handles prescription refills and common conditions
Limitations:
- Does not accept insurance
- Text-based format may not suit patients who prefer speaking with a provider directly
- Not appropriate for complex or high-acuity conditions
Pricing: About $49/month for unlimited visits, or roughly $73 for a single visit.
When to choose something else: If you want a live video visit with a physician, Carbon Health or Teladoc may be a better fit.
7. One Medical
Why it's included: One Medical combines a membership-based primary care model with San Francisco offices and 24/7 virtual access, which suits people who want an ongoing relationship with a care team.
Best for: Residents who want a consistent primary care provider plus virtual access for day-to-day concerns.
Strengths:
- 24/7 on-demand virtual care included with membership
- San Francisco office locations for in-person visits
- Accepts most major insurance plans for the visits themselves
Limitations:
- Requires an annual membership fee on top of any insurance costs
- Best suited for people seeking ongoing care, not one-off visits
Pricing: $199/year membership ($99/year for Amazon Prime members). Visit costs are billed separately through insurance.
When to choose something else: If you only need a single visit and don't want a membership, Sesame Care or GoodRx Care are more cost-effective.
Who Should Choose Each Option
- Want the lowest same-day cash price: Sesame Care
- Have California insurance and may need a follow-up visit: Carbon Health
- Want an ongoing doctor you can text any hour, not a one-off visit: Momentary ($19.99 a month, California residents only)
- Need a low-cost visit for a common condition: GoodRx Care
- Already have Teladoc through your employer plan: Teladoc
- Want a low-cost subscription and are comfortable with text visits: K Health
- Want an ongoing primary care relationship: One Medical
If you have Medi-Cal, Medicare, or a Covered California marketplace plan, check your plan's telehealth benefit first. Many Medi-Cal managed care plans and Covered California plans include $0 telehealth visits through a designated provider, which may be more affordable than any cash-pay option listed here.
Pros and Cons Summary
Cash-pay marketplaces (Sesame Care, GoodRx Care)
- Pros: Transparent pricing, no insurance needed, same-day access
- Cons: No insurance billing, pricing varies by provider
Insurance-based platforms (Teladoc, Carbon Health, One Medical)
- Pros: Lower out-of-pocket cost if covered, established provider networks
- Cons: Cost depends heavily on your specific plan
Virtual primary care membership (Momentary)
- Pros: Unlimited messaging with a licensed California physician, any hour; prescriptions, labs, and referrals included; $19.99 a month and HSA/FSA eligible; remembers your history so you are not starting over each visit
- Cons: California residents only; does not bill insurance; iOS only; not for emergencies or hands-on exams
When to Skip Telehealth Entirely
If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe allergic reactions, heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, seizures, suicidal thoughts, or a serious injury, do not use telehealth. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
FAQ
Is telehealth available 24/7 in San Francisco? Several platforms, including Teladoc and One Medical, offer 24/7 virtual visits. Sesame Care and GoodRx Care availability depends on provider hours, though many offer same-day appointments.
What is the cheapest telehealth option in San Francisco? GoodRx Care offers visits as low as $19 for members. Sesame Care visits typically start around $29 to $47 without any membership.
Do any of these platforms accept Medi-Cal? Carbon Health accepts Medi-Cal in some California counties. Check directly with the plan, since acceptance varies by location and provider.
Can telehealth replace an emergency room visit? No. Telehealth is designed for non-emergency conditions. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other emergency symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What if I don't know whether I need urgent care or can wait? Emergency symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness mean 911 or the ER. Anything that needs a hands-on exam, imaging, or stitches is urgent care. Most other everyday issues can be handled remotely. If you would rather not guess, Momentary members can message a licensed California physician any hour and get a direct answer, plus a prescription or lab order if it can be handled remotely ($19.99 a month).
Does One Medical's membership cover the cost of visits? No. The membership fee covers access to the practice. Visit costs are billed separately, typically through insurance.
Is K Health a good option if I want to speak with a doctor on video? K Health is primarily text-based. If you prefer video visits, Carbon Health, Teladoc, or Sesame Care may be a better match.
