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HealthTap Reviews 2024: Is This Telehealth Really Work?

Mitchelle Morgan

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Dr G. Michael DiLeo, MD

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HealthTap Reviews

9.0

Quality

8.5

Support Research

9.0

Reputation

9.0

Price

Features

  • More than 140,000 doctors.
  • Live video or text chat sessions.
  • Insurance is available for some.
  • Free medical answers from doctors.
  • Affordable compared to others.
  • Large medical knowledge database.
  • HealthTap doctors write prescriptions.

Brand Information

  • Based in the USA.
  • Qualified doctors.
  • Paid and free plans are available.

Medical Benefits

  • Online sessions with doctors.
  • Live chat and texting.
  • Prescriptions for some conditions.
  • Reduced cost of medication.
  • Prescriptions sent to local pharmacy.

HealthTap is an inexpensive primary and urgent care telehealth clinic that offers top-notch healthcare to Americans across the country regardless of whether they have insurance. Their unique, user-friendly, cutting-edge applications, informational tools, and electronic healthcare records employ the highest possible data and security standards when connecting patients and physicians online.

They improve the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of continuing medical care for patients, physicians, employers, and insurers. Businesses also may provide virtual primary and urgent care services to employees affordably using HealthTap. 

What Is HealthTap?

An ever-more-common option to see a doctor anytime that is most practical for you is through telehealth[1] service providers. HealthTap offers around-the-clock access to a vast network of competent doctors, clinical phycologist, and dentists.  

Besides the live virtual consultation sessions, HealthTap offers a free library of questions and answers addressed by experts and an AI-augmented intelligence-based symptom[2] analyzer that can point you in the right direction for the medical help you require.

HealthTap doctors collaborate alongside you to develop a personalized treatment strategy and, when necessary, provide specialist referrals. The HealthTap app always has access to your medical profile, letting you quickly check lab results, medications, and consultation notes. Simple pricing options include a flat fee per session or a monthly Prime subscription that offers reduced HealthTap costs for unlimited consultations.

In conclusion, HealthTap offers immediate access to a physician’s expertise for a single fixed virtual consultation cost, eliminating any uncertainty around how much you will spend every session.

Feature Product & Coupon

HealthTap Reviews

Best Reputation

HealthTap

  • More than 140,000 doctors.
  • Live video or text chat sessions.
  • Insurance is available for some.
  • Free medical answers from doctors.
  • Affordable compared to others.
  • Large medical knowledge database.
  • HealthTap doctors write prescriptions.

Does It Really Work?

Generally speaking, it seems the HealthTap app works. This is because of the many people using the platform. Additionally, many positive reviews are left on the official website. Nonetheless, it is essential to note that not all people had a positive experience using this telemedicine platform.

We advise anyone using the platform to familiarize themselves with it, do their research, and ask the doctors whether it is feasible to get care for their condition. It is also worth noting that the HealthTap platform is meant to handle primary care, not an emergency or life-threatening cases requiring quick intervention. There are medical scenarios that simply, require hands-on care; thus, HealthTap is not meant to be an emergency room.

Pros

  • Large medical knowledge database.
  • Free medical answers from HealthTap doctors.
  • Affordable compared to others.
  • Insurance coverage for some.
  • Live chat and video sessions.
  • More than 140,000 doctors.
  • HealthTap doctors can write prescriptions.
  • No queuing to see a doctor.
  • Doctors can order lab tests.

Cons

  • Not for emergency cases.
  • No treatment for major mental issues.
  • Insurance does not cover the Prime Plan.
  • Prescription is only available for US members.

Alternatives To HealthTap

While there is no arguing that, currently, Health Tap is one of the best telehealth platform brands, it is not the only one. Many other reputable telehealth companies are operating in the same space.

Let us briefly look at some of the alternatives in the table below:

amwell

Amwell

See Amwell Review

  • Simple registration process.
  • Available 24/7.
  • Qualified doctors are available.
  • Few insurance coverage options.
MDLive

MDLive

See MDLive Review

  • Insurance coverage accepted.
  • Available 24/7.
  • You can choose your preferred doctor.
  • Expensive.
Doctor on Demand

Doctor on Demand

See Doctor on Demand Review

  • Customizable treatment plant with the help of a full-care team.
  • Insurance coverage accepted.
  • Different specialists are available.
  • Very expensive.

HealthTap Plans & Cost

One of the most interesting and appealing features to users is the ability to choose between a paid and a free plan.

HealthTap offers a free basic plan that does not require a subscription payment and a prime plan that costs $15 per month — billed three months at once — $45. The biggest difference between these two options is the Healthtap cost of appointments with a HealthTap doctor trained to handle your condition.

For example, with the basic plan, the users will have to pay $80 for each session they get with a doctor trained to handle their condition. This Healthtap cost of the service may be partially or fully covered by their insurance. The two plans give you access to urgent care clinic.

On the contrary, your insurance may not cover the Prime Plan despite the additional subscription fee. As a subscriber, one-on-one virtual consultation with a doctor costs $39.

The cost of medication on the platform — those prescribed by a HealthTap doctor – is affordable. This is mainly because the physician will prescribe generic-name medication instead of the much more expensive brand-name drugs. Sometimes, you can pay 75% less for generic medication than if you buy brand-name meds.

Apart from these two options, users do not necessarily have to spend money using the platform. A good example is if you have any medical questions you would like answered. You can search through the already available informational tools and questions to find answers.

If you find an answer to your question, are fully satisfied with the information, and do not require making an appointment with a doctor on the platform, you will not incur any cost.

How To Use HealthTap?

Finding Answers To Medical Questions

One way of using HealthTap is by searching for answers to your question on their database. The database contains hundreds of thousands of questions already answered by their doctors. Since medical practitioners have answered these questions, they are more likely to provide valid information regarding the users’ health concerns.

Users may also ask questions for custom answers, generally answered within 24 hours. Use of the question posting service is not contingent upon making an appointment.

Making Appointments

When a user does not get the information they are looking for or wants a doctor to advise them, they can book an appointment or different therapy sessions. First, one will have to decide whether or not to pay the subscription fee when creating an account on the platform: The free basic membership does not have a fee, while the prime plan will require payment; non-subscribers pay more for a tele-visit than subscribers.

No matter which of these two you choose, you can still book an appointment with a doctor. You will complete a brief appointment application form outlining your concerns and the visit’s purpose. They have extremely low wait times because in most cases, users are linked to a virtual consultation session practically immediately after completing payment.

Appointments can be made at any time. Additionally, HealthTap experts will answer in confidence any questions subscribers have for free.

Requesting Prescriptions

Whether you have an ongoing condition or a new one requiring medication, doctors on the HealthTap platform can advise and write prescriptions which will then be shipped to a pharmacy close to you or your house. 

It is important to note that doctors on HealthTap cannot write prescriptions for regulated substances, such as narcotics and other controlled medications, meds for mental illness, illegal pharmaceuticals, or lifestyle meds like weight loss pills or male enhancement pills. Male enhancement meds, e.g., Viagra, Cialis, etc., while available on other telehealth platforms, are not available through HealthTap. Also, customers residing outside the US will not be able to get prescriptions.

Seeking Treatment

Users can seek treatment for various ailments. You can see a doctor on the platform at any time — they have extremely low wait times — for treatment in the following areas: children’s, men, and women’s health. 

Others include mental and behavioral health, online therapy, sexual health, travel medicines, chronic care, senior health, wellness, prevention, and lifestyle.

We advise you to check the official website for the conditions for which the doctors on the HealthTap network offer treatment and whether or not they prescribe for your condition, e.g., mental illness and erectile dysfunction. 

The doctors can also order lab tests on your behalf. These lab tests are carried out at a facility of the brand’s choosing. After the results of the lab tests are ready, the doctor will interpret them for you and take the necessary course of action.

HealthTap Review: What Do Real Users Say?

The reviews on HealthTap’s site are very positive. More than 21,000 users have used the platform and left a review. The average score of all these reviews — from the site — is 4.9 out of 5.

Below are some of the reviews that users left: 

“I never did a virtual visit before. It was a good and fast experience. My upper cheek got infected so real swollen. As soon as I payed the cheap visit, 20 seconds later there was a doctor looking at me through my phone. He prescribed antibiotics and in 2 hours I was able to pick them up. Other walk-in clinics charge up to $160 now just for a visit. Definitely worth it and no headaches or waiting in line!!!!!!!!! Thanks Health Tap!”

Jessica

“The reason we see a doctor when we don’t feel well is so we dont have to worry about why we don’t feel well. The bottom line is how much that costs. Going to a doctor’s office can take all day and there is lost wage, travel expense, co-pay, deductible, etc. It’s a great service and after the doctor told me not to worry, I stopped.”

Olvia

“I am so excited that I selected Health Tap for my virtual online medical care. My first online visit was scheduled on a holiday, Labor Day – I was shocked but glad online virtual appointment times were available due to my ongoing symptoms I was experiencing. My online virtual medical Provider just touched my heart. Dr. Cocojaru is a kind, helpful and considerate doctor. I really like her and I am so glad that I selected her to see me for my nature of visit. She is amazing! I live in the state of Georgia and I wish she had a practice in Georgia. She is a good doctor and she really cares about her patients health. She gave me tips, advice, and suggestions about health screenings that I need to have. I have selected her to become my virtual online Primary Care Provider. Thank you HealthTap.”

Jamie

Final Thought

Altogether, HealthTap seems to be a reliable resource for medical knowledge that may help you avoid needless visits to an urgent care clinic. Most customers have very brief waiting periods before they are connected with a physician who is qualified to serve them, and scheduling an appointment seems straightforward.

There are several helpful functions and advantages offered by the HealthTap app. Users may utilize the AI-augmented intelligence — symptom checker, which offers comprehensive explanations of potential causes and the most appropriate action for healthcare if members are unsure if they should visit a doctor.

The HealthTap database, which contains hundreds of genuine patient queries with doctor responses, may be searched for free. The app makes it simple to discuss consultation comments, test results, and prescription information with numerous providers because customer data is securely and conveniently saved.

While consultations are less expensive when you subscribe to HealthTap’s monthly Prime plan, they may also not be covered by health insurance, in which case you must pay for each appointment using your money. On the other hand, the  Basic plan — which is pay-per-session based — could offer greater value for patients whose insurance plans cover telemedicine appointments.

Telemedicine is here to stay. Once frowned upon by regulatory agencies and insurance companies, the pandemic has proven telemedicine to be a valuable partner in our healthcare system. Additionally, one of the most salient points was made by a reviewer who said whole workdays don’t have to be lost for doctors’ appointments. This alone makes it attractive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HealthTap treat?

The platform treats many conditions, such as those in children’s, men’s, and women’s health. Others include mental and behavioral health, online therapy, sexual health, travel medicines, chronic care, senior health, wellness, prevention, and lifestyle. We advise you to check the official website for the complete list of conditions for which the HealthTap doctors offer treatment.

Does insurance cover HealthTap?

Yes. Many insurance companies will pay the full or partial amount for the one-to-one sessions through the basic plan. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the Prime Plan; users must pay for these sessions out-of-pocket.

Is HealthTap legit?

Yes. The platform is legitimate. More than 140,000 qualified and certified doctors are providing services to their users. These doctors on HealthTap have medical expertise in various fields.

How can you get HealthTap support?

For urgent care, HealthTap offers round-the-clock phone and email help from its US-based staff. Users can call the company’s support numbers to talk with a customer support representative. On the corporate website, you see a collection of commonly asked questions, self-service assistance for any billing error, and the HealthTap app.

Can you pick a HealthTap doctor?

Yes. According to the official website, you can pick the one you prefer from the HealthTap network. The same doctor will always be assigned to treat and follow up on your cases.


+ 2 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. Gajarawala, S.N. and Pelkowski, J.N. (2021). Telehealth Benefits and Barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, [online] 17(2), pp.218–221. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013.
  2. Long, J.B. and Ehrenfeld, J.M. (2020). The Role of Augmented Intelligence (AI) in Detecting and Preventing the Spread of Novel Coronavirus. Journal of Medical Systems, [online] 44(3). doi:10.1007/s10916-020-1536-6.
Mitchelle Morgan

Medically reviewed by:

Michael DiLeo

Mitchelle Morgan is a health and wellness writer with over 10 years of experience. She holds a Master's in Communication. Her mission is to provide readers with information that helps them live a better lifestyle. All her work is backed by scientific evidence to ensure readers get valuable and actionable content.

Medically reviewed by:

Michael DiLeo

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