MDLive is a primary and urgent care platform that also treats mental health and offers dermatology services. We gave it 4 out of 5 stars in our independent review, citing its ability to provide therapy and psychiatry to people ten and older, excellent provider credentials, and insurance acceptance. For medical issues, you can typically confer with a doctor within an hour, but for mental health, you may have to wait a few days.
MDLive at a Glance
Cost: $0 – $299 per session
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy Offered: Yes
Location: US & Puerto Rico
Pros & Cons of MDLive
Pros - Offers online psychiatry, therapy, & medical care
- Accepts insurance, including Medicare & Medicaid
- Choose between phone or video appointments
Cons - Mental health care isn’t available to kids under 10
- Doesn’t prescribe ADHD stimulant medications or anti-anxiety benzodiazepines
- Does not treat ADHD
- No discounts or bundles available
- No options for text-based therapy
Preview MDLive
MDLive gives you access to evidence-based mental health, primary/urgent care, and dermatology in the US and Puerto Rico. While it’s not meant for complex or high acuity mental health challenges, MDLive can help with common issues, including depression and anxiety.
The platform has 2,000+ providers in its network, including certified therapists and psychiatrists. Therapy with MDLive costs $179 for an initial appointment, but it could be as low as $0 with insurance. Follow-up appointments cost $140 before insurance. Initial psychiatry appointment costs $0 – $299, with $159 follow-ups before insurance. Urgent care, which you could potentially use to access a medication refill, costs $0 – $89.
If you need specialized psychiatric care or treatment for ADHD, try Talkiatry. If you don’t have insurance and need a platform with more affordable cash-pay options, Doctor on Demand or Klarity Health are great. If you need a platform that treats more complex mental health issues, go with Brightside Health.
Detailed Review of MDLive
We gave MDLive 4 out of 5 stars, with it scoring high for insurance acceptance, therapist credentials, customer service, and more. Prices for per-session mental health treatment are comparable to other similar platforms, but if you don’t have insurance or your plan isn’t accepted, you can find more affordable care elsewhere. If you need basic mental health care and your insurance is accepted, MDLive may be right for you.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
MDLive Therapy
MDLive offers online therapy to those age 10 and older with licensed therapists in all 50 US states and Puerto Rico. Like all of MDLive’s services, there is no monthly subscription plan. You can purchase therapy appointments as frequently or infrequently as needed.
MDLive therapy sessions are held over video for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the provider. You can also communicate with your therapist between sessions using the platform’s secure messaging portal. When I used this feature, I received a response in less than 24 hours.
How to Sign Up
To sign up, go to the “I Need Care” tab at the top of the homepage, and choose “Mental Health” from a drop-down list. Next, click “Schedule an Appointment.” At this point, it will prompt you to make an account, but it only takes a minute, asking for basic info like email, birthdate, zip code, and reason for seeking care.
Some of the conditions MDLive treats are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Addiction
- OCD
- Grief and loss
- Aging and caregiver support
- Bipolar
- OCD
- Panic disorders
- Parenting support
- PTSD
- Phobias
- Relationship issues
- And more
Note that, according to its website, MDLive does not treat ADHD.1
When I used MDLive, I expressed that I was dealing with stress and anxiety, and 65 therapist options popped up for my state. At this point, I could filter my search for more specific criteria (e.g., therapist gender, what I was looking to treat, and specialties, such as addiction, anxiety, etc.).
After I added a few filters, including that I wanted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically, one therapist came up and I scheduled an appointment for a few days out.
MDLive Psychiatry
MDLive also offers online psychiatry with licensed psychiatrists in all 50 US states and Puerto Rico. The cost of psychiatry with MDLive is $0 – $299 for an initial appointment (depending on insurance). Follow-up appointments cost $159 before insurance. Like all of MDLive’s services, there is no monthly subscription plan.
Online psychiatry with MDLive is available for anyone 10 years and older. Children and teens under 18 must have a parent/guardian sign them up for services.
Psychiatry appointments last approximately 15 – 30 minutes and are held over the phone or via video. Psychiatric providers include psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Like with therapy, you are able to view all of the providers in your state and read through their profiles before selecting one.
Medications MDLive Can’t Prescribe
MDlive cannot prescribe any of the following medications:1
- Controlled medications, including stimulants and benzodiazepines
- Controlled substances for weight loss
- Detox medications (e.g., Suboxone, Methadone)
- Sleep medications
- Medicinal marijuana
- Medications for intramuscular injections
- Medications that require regular lab work
- Any medications with the potential for abuse (e.g., some muscle relaxants, pseudoephedrine)
MDLive Cost
MDLive verifies your insurance benefits and shares information about cost before you schedule your appointment.
Out-of-pocket MDLive costs are:
- Therapy: $179 for an initial therapy appointment; $140 per follow-up.
- Psychiatry: $299 for an initial psychiatry appointment; $159 per follow-up.
It is important to note that if you miss your scheduled appointment or cancel less than 24 hours before the scheduled time, you will be charged the full appointment fee.
Insurance
MDLive works with a large selection of insurance payors, which could significantly reduce your costs as low as $0 per session.
Accepted plans include:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Oxford
- Oscar
- United Healthcare
- Medicare
- Medicaid
If you cannot find a provider that is in-network with your given insurance plan, you can still download a superbill from MDLive to request coverage from your insurance payor. If you have access to a health plan that offers FSA or HSA for therapy, you can use it to pay for your session fee.
Who Does MDLive Serve?
When it comes to mental health care, MDLive treats anyone 10 and older in the US and Puerto Rico. MDLive urgent care is available to all ages, including infants, although treatment may vary based on age. MDLive primary care is only for adults 18 and older.
MDLive’s pricing model is flexible and convenient for some, but if you prefer an ongoing subscription-style platform, then BetterHelp and Talkspace are two solid options.
User Reviews
MDLive is a telehealth platform that features other areas of care. In the user reviews below, we focused on mental health and psychiatry reviews.
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4.7-star out of 5 | 89.5K reviews
Positive reviews include the ease of finding a provider. Other reviews mention how intuitive the interface was.
Negative reviews include how hard it was to find a quality provider that resonated with a patient. Some reviews mention how the reminders for MDLive were overwhelming and bothersome.
Reviews from Android App Store | 4.6-star out of 5 | 15.9K reviews
Positive reviews include how easy MDLive was to navigate. Other positive reviews mention how easy it was to find a provider that was within the patient’s area of interest.
Negative reviews include the wait time for some providers on MDLive. Other reviews talk about the poor quality of their provider.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 1.9-star out of 5 | 12,026 reviews
Positive reviews include appreciation for users’ chosen providers. According to some clients, their providers were genuinely caring and professional throughout the entire process.
Negative reviews include frustrations related to online appointments. Some users experienced long waiting times, delays, and sudden cancellations by the provider.
Alternatives & Competitors
If you are referred to MDLive by a provider, then it’s worth moving forward with the platform, but there are some demographics that will be better served elsewhere. For instance, MDLive mental health treats kids 10+, but if you have younger children, we recommend Bend Health.
If you don’t have insurance, Open Path Collective provides extremely affordable therapy for those who qualify and only requires a one-time membership fee. Finally, if you’re looking for ADHD treatment, check out our analysis of the best ADHD treatment options online.
Best for Kids - Bend Health
Price: $199.99 – $549.99 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Prescribes Medication: Yes
Quite simply, if you’re looking for online therapy or psychiatry for kids under ten, MDLive can’t help. We really appreciate Bend Health and its comprehensive care for kids, teens, young adults, and families. Fortunately, it accepts insurance, which can help reduce higher cash-pay rates ($199.99 – $549.99 monthly).
Read our Bend Health review for more on costs and services.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Comprehensive team provides support at every level
- Can collaborate with child’s pediatrician and/or school
- Can prescribe controlled medication
Cons - Expensive without insurance
- Cannot book same-day appointments
Most Affordable Therapy - Open Path Collective
Price: $65 one-time fee; $30–$70 per session
Insurance Accepted: No
Prescribes Medication: No
Open Path Collective is all about providing affordable online therapy. With licensed therapists across all 50 states and Canada, it serves those who are uninsured or burdened by high deductibles and co-pays. To access the directory of low-cost providers, there’s a one-time membership fee of $65. After joining, clients work directly with their chosen therapist to set a session rate, typically ranging from $30–$70, and up to $80 for couples and family therapy.
Read our full Open Path Collective review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Affordable therapy for individuals, couples, & families
- Many membership benefits (e.g., resources, discounts, wellness courses)
Cons - Does not offer psychiatry or medication management
- Does not accept insurance
Best for ADHD Treatment - Talkiatry
Price: ~ $30 copay
Insurance Accepted: Yes, exclusively
Prescribe Medication: Yes
MDLive does not treat ADHD. You can take a look at our picks for best ADHD treatment options online, where we identified Talkiatry as Best for ADHD Medication. As long as you have in-network insurance, you can access comprehensive psychiatric treatment from highly vetted psychiatrists who can prescribe controlled medication, depending on state regulations.
While Talkiatry does not consider itself a therapy provider, it does have therapists on staff, offering therapy to established psychiatry patients when their treatment plan calls for it.
Read more in our full Talkiatry review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Treats children (5+), teens, and adults
- 300+ highly vetted psychiatrists
- Can prescribe controlled medication
Cons - Only accepts in-network patients
- Fees vary based on location & coverage
Why You Can Trust My Review
“There are a lot of online therapy and psychiatry reviews to wade through online, but we aim to provide comprehensive, first-hand explorations of these platforms and our experience with them. At ChoosingTherapy.com, our reviews are always based on real-life use, as well as our comprehensive knowledge of the industry and its key players.
MDLive has an impressive number of licensed providers under its umbrella, but fewer therapists and psychiatrists than medical doctors. That makes it easier to connect quickly with a medical provider vs. a therapist, so if speed is a priority for you on your hunt for mental health care online, MDLive may not be able to help, though it will always depend on your location.
If you have in-network insurance, this platform is a legitimate option for basic mental health, but we don’t recommend it for more pressing or complicated issues, including ADHD.”
History & News
Year Founded: 2009
Founder: Randy Parker
Publicly Traded: Yes
Headquartered In: Miramar, FL
MDLive was founded in 2009 by Randy Parker. The company initially offered online medical care, and later expanded to offer mental health services and dermatology.
In 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against MDLive claiming privacy violations.2 The lawsuit sought over $5 million in damages, citing breaches of privacy, contract violations, and consumer protection infractions. However, the lawsuit was dropped quickly and without settlement.
In 2021, MDLive was acquired by Cigna.3, 4 This acquisition allowed MDLive to integrate advanced matching algorithms to better connect patients with suitable therapists. Since the acquisition, MDLive has continued to expand its services, including the addition of “E-treatment,” an option for patients to receive urgent care without interaction via phone or video, available in all states except Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, and D.C.5, 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MDLive available 24/7?
Medical services are available 24/7, but for therapy and psychiatry, you’ll need to adhere to your scheduled appointment time.
Does MDLive Treat Mental Health?
Yes, MDLive provides two types of mental health services: therapy with licensed therapists/counselors and psychiatry with board-certified psychiatric or psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Does MDLive Treat ADHD?
No, MDLive does not prescribe ADHD stimulant medications or provide treatment for ADHD.1
What Mental Health Conditions Does MDLive Treat?
Among other things, MDLive therapists and psychiatrists can help treat and provide support for:
- Anxiety
- Addictions
- Depression
- Stress
- Relationship issues
- PTSD
- Grief
- Life transitions
- Insomnia
- Panic disorders
- OCD
- Bipolar
How Long Are Therapy Sessions With MDLive?
Therapy sessions with MDLive last anywhere between 45 – 60 minutes. Frequency depends on your individual needs and provider recommendations, but typically occur weekly or bi-weekly.
Can I Choose My Therapist?
Yes, you can choose your MDLive therapist from a directory, entering search filters like gender and availability to narrow your search.
Can MDLive Psychiatrists Prescribe Medication?
Yes, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medication; however, MDLive does not prescribe controlled substances, including stimulant medication and benzodiazepines for anxiety.
What is the Difference Between an Initial Psychiatry Appointment and a Follow-up?
Initial visits (typically 45– 60 minutes) are full evaluations that may include a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Follow-ups (15 – 30 minutes) are for ongoing medication management, including symptom and progress checks, with adjustments to medication as needed.
Can I Switch Providers if I’m Not Satisfied?
Yes, you can change therapists or psychiatrists via your MDLIVE account settings.
Does MDLive Use AI?
Yes, in 2017, MDLive launched its AI-powered chatbot, Sophie, used for registration and primary care.7 If your MDlive medical doctor assigns a health tracking program for certain physical symptoms, you self-report and Sophie checks in with you, asking personalized questions and providing patient education. Sophie also sends appointment reminders.
Note that MDLive E-treatment does not provide care decisions based on artificial intelligence or machine learning. When you use E-treatment, physicians are making the calls.6
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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What we treat. MDLive. https://www.mdlive.com/what-we-treat
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Comstock, J. (2017). “Privacy lawsuit against MDLive abruptly dropped.” MobiHealth News. https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/privacy-lawsuit-against-mdlive-abruptly-dropped
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Minemyer, P. (2021, April 19). “Cigna’s Evernorth completes acquisition of virtual care provider MDLive.” Fierce Healthcare. https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/cigna-s-evernorth-completes-acquisition-virtual-care-provider-mdlive
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Lovett, L. (Jan. 11, 2023). “Cigna CEO: Evernorth’s Acquisition of MDLive Boosts Behavioral Health Offerings.” Behavioral Health Business. https://bhbusiness.com/2023/01/11/cigna-ceo-evernorths-acquisition-of-mdlive-boosts-behavioral-health-offerings/
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(Sep. 12, 2024). “Cigna Healthcare Makes Virtual Care Even Easier and More Convenient with New E-Treatment Option from MDLIVE.” Cigna Healthcare. https://newsroom.cigna.com/2024-09-12-Cigna-Healthcare-Makes-Virtual-Care-Even-Easier-and-More-Convenient-with-New-E-Treatment-Option-from-MDLIVE
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MDLive E-treatment. MDLive. https://www.mdlive.com/business/e-treatment
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Comstock, J. (Nov. 30, 2017). “MDLive launches Sophie, a chatbot for registration and, eventually, more.” MobiHealth News. https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/mdlive-launches-sophie-chatbot-registration-and-eventually-more
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Pifer, R. (Nov. 14, 2022). “Cigna’s MDLive will add chronic care program to virtual primary care plans.” Healthcare Dive. https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/cigna-mdlive-chronic-condition-management-virtual-primary-care/636422/
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Lieberman, A. (May 1, 2025). Bend Health Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who it’s Right For.” ChoosingTherapy.com. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/bend-health-review/
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Suarez-Angelino, L. (March 5, 2025). “Open Path Collective Therapy Review.” ChoosingTherapy.com. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/open-path-collective-therapy/
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Church, M. (Jan. 28, 2025). “Talkiatry Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience.” ChoosingTherapy.com. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/talkiatry-review/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Emily Adamek, BA (New Author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Edited for clarity and accuracy; adjusted cost from $108 – $248 per session to $0 – $299 per session; added alternatives: Bend Health, Open Path Collective, and Talkiatry; added new information to News & History section, as well as new sources; added all new FAQs, including “Is MDLive available 24/7?” and “Does MDLive Use AI?”
Author: Michelle Liu, MPH (New Author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (New Medical Reviewer)
Primary Changes: Conducted new review of MDLive, re-scored based on scoring rubric, added summary and new page features, added firsthand experiences, fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity. New content was written by Michelle Liu, MPH, and medically reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Reassessment of MDLive & 1st person impressions added; Moved miscellaneous information to FAQ sections; Fact-checked cost and offerings; updated style throughout
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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