Doctor On Demand Review

Doctor On Demand was launched in 2013 by Dr. Phil McGraw, his son Jay McGraw, and Adam Jackson to change how people interact with their doctors. This telehealth platform provides urgent care, behavioral health, preventative health, and chronic care from anywhere, 24/7.

Doctor On Demand patients can access doctors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical experts. They can select and see their favorite providers as often as they need. However, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of telehealth services before selecting one to ensure it works for specific needs.

What we like about Doctor On Demand

Doctor On Demand is covered by employers or health plans for more than 98 million Americans and is available to 33 million Medicare Part B beneficiaries while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services waives restrictions on using telemedicine.

Board-certified clinicians can prescribe a broad range of medications normally available in an office or urgent care setting.

Patients can sign up through a web app for laptops or PCs or download the mobile app for iOS or Android devices.

Patients can schedule an appointment with the clinician of their choice or choose on-demand service and see the next available clinician.

Things customers should consider about Doctor On Demand

Virtual doctor visits are charged in 15-minute intervals, so if a visit goes over 15 minutes, the patient is charged for another full 15 minutes to continue the session.

If the clinician decides a lab test is necessary, patients can visit a physical lab location with results sent to Doctor On Demand, but it can take up to 10 business days for patients to receive their results.

Patients who need prescription refills must schedule and pay for an appointment to request refills because Doctor On Demand is currently only able to supply automatic refills to patients being seen by psychiatrists.

What customers like

“(My preferred provider) has been very helpful while being compassionate and professional. I would highly recommend this service. No waiting rooms, no hassles, and quality care!”

“I was able to talk to a Doctor within 5 minutes, and get a prescription filled in an hour. And I didn’t have to miss work!”

“Great program, great doctor and fast results. Sure beats sitting in a waiting room for hours.”

What customers don’t like

“I was charged $119 for a missed appointment, which I could not attend because the page on the appointment website would not load.”

“The doctor was professional, but I cannot get the prescription she submitted to my pharmacy. I called the customer service and got the run around.”

“Their mental health division does not disclose their limitations regarding prescriptions until after you have already signed up and paid for the visit.”

Patients can download the mobile app from the Google Play or iTunes store for Android or iOS devices or use the web app on laptops or PCs. All devices must be equipped with a webcam. New patients follow the on-screen instructions to register, and after verifying a few details, they can see a board-certified primary care physician. It’s free to download the app and sign up.

Patients who select “Get Care” are automatically connected with whichever doctor is available next. If someone wants to choose the doctor they see, they must schedule an appointment for a later time. Patients wishing to visit with a therapist are always able to choose who they see. A list of available therapists populates based on the person’s location, so they see who’s available within their state.

Doctor On Demand offers appointments to those wanting to see a specific board-certified clinician, or patients can opt for the on-demand feature and be placed in line for the next available clinician and receive immediate care. However, therapists always require an appointment, which can be made with the self-schedule feature on the website or mobile app.

Board-certified clinicians can prescribe many of the drugs they deem necessary, just like in a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic, including antibiotics and medications to treat allergies and various ailments. However, clinicians can’t prescribe any drugs designated as a controlled substance by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, including various narcotic pain relievers, opioids, stimulants, tranquilizers, depressants, sedatives, and anti-anxiety drugs. Clients must select a pharmacy using a locator when prompted by the app to do so, which occurs when scheduling an appointment or connecting with a clinician.

Doctor On Demand works with numerous health plans and employers to ensure it’s a covered benefit. New clients can check whether their plan covers Doctor On Demand telehealth visits when they register. From the app, users can check coverage by going to “Insurance” or “Employer” and follow the prompts. Users also can click on “Payments & Benefits” from a computer to add insurance information.

Users needing assistance can reach customer support by using the “Help” button in the mobile app or sending a message on the website, and a representative will follow up. They can also send an email to [email protected] or call 800-997-6196. Individuals experiencing issues with the mobile app or supported browsers can also contact tech support at this same number.

How does Doctor On Demand select its doctors?

Each clinician goes through a rigorous selection process before being allowed to join the network of Doctor On Demand professionals. Initial selection involves an interview and a thorough review of their licensure, training, clinical experience, and completed questionnaire. All details are verified along with a background screen by the National Committee for Quality Assurance/National Practitioner Data Bank. Clinicians must then complete telemedicine training, go through a second live interview, and review most patient cases on the Doctor On Demand Video Platform. Each clinician is continuously monitored through Doctor On Demand’s Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Process.

Doctor On Demand pricing & plans

Doctor On Demand doesn’t currently require any type of fee-based monthly or yearly membership or subscription plan to sign up for its service. Signing up and downloading the mobile app are both free. Users only pay when they talk with a clinician.

The regular rate to see a medical doctor is $75 for a 15-minute consultation. When the session hits the 13-minute mark, clients are asked if they’d like to extend their visit an additional 15 minutes, with each 15-minute segment billed at the $75 rate.

Fees for therapy patients seeing a psychologist are $129 for a 25-minute consultation or $179 for a 50-minute consultation. Sessions with a psychiatrist are billed at $299 for an initial 45-minute consultation and $129 for a 15-minute follow-up. Before any therapy consultation ends, clients are given the option to extend their visit for an additional fee.