Last Updated: September 2026
If you live in California and need to talk to a doctor without leaving home, you have more options today than a simple video call with a random provider. Some services connect you to a licensed physician in minutes for a flat cash price. Others work through your existing insurance. A few help you figure out whether you need a doctor at all before you book anything.
Quick Answer
The best way to see a doctor online in California depends on whether you have insurance and how quickly you need care. Sesame Care and GoodRx Care tend to work well for uninsured patients who want low, upfront cash prices. PlushCare and Teladoc are stronger if you have insurance and want a consistent provider network. Kaiser Permanente members already have virtual visits built into their plan at no extra cost. If you would rather have an ongoing doctor than a one-off visit, Momentary gives Californians a licensed California physician they can text any hour for $19.99 a month, with prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals included.
Top Picks
- Best Overall for Cash-Pay Visits: Sesame Care
- Want an ongoing doctor you can text any hour, not a one-off visit: Momentary ($19.99 a month, California residents only)
- Best Budget Option: GoodRx Care
Comparison Table
| Option | Best For | Pricing (Self-Pay) | Physician Reviewed | Availability in CA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sesame Care | Affordable cash-pay visits | Visits from $29–$47, varies by provider | Yes, board-certified providers | All of California |
| Momentary | Ongoing primary care by text; prescriptions, labs, and referrals | $19.99/month membership (HSA/FSA eligible); no per-visit fees | Yes: licensed California physicians | California residents only; iOS app |
| GoodRx Care | Lowest-cost common conditions | $19–$75 depending on membership and visit type | Yes, licensed clinicians | All of California |
| PlushCare | Ongoing care with insurance | $30 or less with insurance; $129 self-pay | Yes, board-certified doctors | All of California |
| Teladoc | Insurance-covered general medical visits | As low as $0 with insurance; $89 self-pay | Yes, licensed physicians | All of California |
| Kaiser Permanente | Existing Kaiser members | Included in most plans; some deductible plans vary | Yes, in-network physicians | All of California (members only) |
1. Sesame Care: Best Overall for Affordable Cash-Pay Visits
Sesame Care is a telehealth marketplace where independent, licensed doctors set their own cash prices. Visits start at $34, though other Sesame pages list per-session rates starting around $29 for acute care and medication management. Because providers set individual rates, exact pricing varies by location and specialty.
Why it's included: Sesame does not require insurance, which makes it a strong option for uninsured or high-deductible patients in California who want to know the price before they book.
Who benefits most: People who want a same-day appointment for a common condition, like a UTI, cold, or prescription refill, without navigating insurance.
Strengths:
- Transparent, upfront pricing shown before booking.
- Same-day appointments in many cases.
- No insurance required.
Limitations:
- Does not accept insurance, so there's no reimbursement path unless your plan allows out-of-network claims.
- Provider pricing and availability vary by region.
- Providers on Sesame do not prescribe controlled substances via telehealth.
When to choose something else: If you have insurance with low telehealth copays already, Teladoc or PlushCare may cost you less out of pocket.
2. Momentary — An ongoing California doctor you can text, for $19.99 a month
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: Californians 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.
3. GoodRx Care: Best Budget Option
GoodRx Care is the telehealth arm of GoodRx, built for cash-pay patients who also want discount pricing on prescriptions. Most visits start at $49 without a GoodRx Gold membership, and some services offer a discounted visit fee starting at $19 if you have an active Gold membership.
Why it's included: For California residents without insurance who need care for a common condition, GoodRx Care combines a low visit fee with its existing prescription discount network.
Who benefits most: Uninsured or underinsured patients who need a quick visit for conditions like UTIs, cold and flu, or a prescription refill, and who also want to save on the medication afterward.
Strengths:
- Low, flat-rate visit fees.
- Prescription discounts built into the same platform.
- No insurance required.
Limitations:
- Does not accept insurance for visits.
- Scope is limited to common, acute conditions rather than complex or chronic care.
- Membership is required to access the lowest advertised price.
When to choose something else: If you need ongoing primary care with the same doctor over time, PlushCare or a Kaiser Permanente plan may be a better fit.
4. PlushCare: Best for Ongoing Care With Insurance
PlushCare is a telehealth platform built around building a relationship with the same provider over time, rather than a different doctor at every visit. The usual out-of-pocket cost for PlushCare patients with insurance is $30 a visit, while patients not using insurance typically pay around $129 per visit.
Why it's included: For California residents who want continuity of care, meaning the same doctor across visits, PlushCare is one of the more established options.
Who benefits most: People managing an ongoing condition, like high blood pressure or anxiety, who want a consistent provider relationship through insurance.
Strengths:
- Accepts many major insurance plans, including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California.
- Same-day appointments are often available.
- Membership includes up to five shared family accounts.
Limitations:
- Self-pay visits are notably higher than several competitors.
- A monthly membership fee applies in addition to visit costs.
- Cannot prescribe controlled substances.
When to choose something else: If cost is your top priority and you do not have insurance, Sesame Care or GoodRx Care will likely be cheaper.
5. Teladoc: Best for Insurance-Covered General Medical Visits
Teladoc is one of the largest telehealth networks in the country and is included as a benefit through many California health plans and employers. Visits can be as low as $0 per visit with insurance, and without insurance, General Medical is $89 per visit.
Why it's included: Many Californians already have Teladoc access through their existing health plan, making it a no-cost or low-cost option they may not realize they have.
Who benefits most: Insured patients whose health plan already includes Teladoc as a benefit.
Strengths:
- Often $0 out of pocket for members with Teladoc included in their plan.
- Available 24/7 for general medical concerns.
- Broad network including mental health and dermatology.
Limitations:
- Self-pay pricing is higher than several direct-pay competitors.
- Doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid fee-for-service plans.
- Best value depends heavily on whether your plan already includes it.
When to choose something else: If you're uninsured and comparing cash prices, Sesame Care or GoodRx Care will typically cost less per visit.
6. Kaiser Permanente: Best for Existing Kaiser Members
If you're already a Kaiser Permanente member in California, virtual care is built into your plan rather than a separate service you need to sign up for. None of Kaiser Permanente's virtual care services are add-ons; they're available to every member on every individual and family plan.
Why it's included: For the large number of Californians already enrolled in a Kaiser plan, this is often the simplest and lowest-cost way to see a doctor online.
Who benefits most: Current Kaiser Permanente members who want video visits, phone visits, or e-visits with a provider who already has access to their health record.
Strengths:
- Included in existing membership at no extra cost for most plans.
- Clinicians can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication just like an in-person visit.
- Fully integrated with your existing medical record.
Limitations:
- Only available to Kaiser Permanente members, not the general public.
- HSA-qualified deductible plans may require paying full cost until the deductible is met.
- Not useful if you're shopping for a new, non-Kaiser provider.
When to choose something else: If you're not a Kaiser member, any of the direct-pay or insurance-based options above will be more accessible.
When Should You Use Urgent Care or the ER Instead?
Online doctor visits work well for common, non-emergency conditions like colds, UTIs, skin issues, and prescription refills. They are not appropriate for emergencies. If you or someone else is experiencing chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, a severe allergic reaction, or suicidal thoughts, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. No online platform, including the ones listed here, is a substitute for emergency care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a doctor online in California without insurance? Yes. Services like Sesame Care and GoodRx Care are designed for cash-pay patients and don't require insurance. Prices are typically shown before you book.
How much does an online doctor visit cost in California? Cash-pay visits generally range from about $19 to $129 depending on the platform and whether you have a membership. With insurance, many visits cost far less, and some are $0 depending on your plan.
Can online doctors in California write prescriptions? Many can, for non-controlled substances like antibiotics or blood pressure medication. Controlled substances, such as certain anxiety or ADHD medications, are generally not prescribed through telehealth on these platforms.
How do I know if I should use telehealth or go to urgent care? Telehealth generally works for common, non-emergency conditions. If your symptoms involve something that needs a physical exam, imaging, or in-person testing, urgent care or an in-person visit may be more appropriate. If you would rather ask a doctor than guess, Momentary members can message a licensed California physician any hour ($19.99 a month).
Is Kaiser Permanente's virtual care available to everyone in California? No. Kaiser's virtual care is included with an existing Kaiser Permanente health plan and isn't available to the general public without enrollment.
What should I do if my symptoms feel like an emergency? Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Online doctor visits, including every option in this article, are not designed for emergencies.
