MDLive is a general-purpose platform for online medical and mental health care, and they earned 4 out of 5 stars during our independent review. MDLive provides both therapy and psychiatry services to those 10 years of age and older. For medical issues, you can typically confer with a doctor within an hour from the time you sign up. For psychotherapy or psychiatric care, however, you may have to wait at least a week, as I did—and that was after I looked through the 65 listed therapists.
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MDLive At a Glance
Cost: $108 – $248 monthly
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Therapy Offered? Yes
Pros & Cons of MDLive
Pros - Offers a range of services, including online psychiatry, therapy, and medical visits
- Appointments can be scheduled in as little as 24 hours
- Accepts many major insurance plans
- Choose between live phone or video appointments
Cons - Psychiatry and therapy are not available to children under the age of 10
- No options for text therapy
- No discounts or bundles available if you want therapy and psychiatry
Who Is MDLive Right For?
- Those who value flexible scheduling
- Those who are looking for short waits for treatment
- Those who are looking for broad location coverage
Preview MDLive
MDLive gives you access to evidence-based therapy with licensed therapists in all US states and Puerto Rico. Therapy with MDLive costs $108 per session out-of-pocket and they do accept select insurance plans. With no monthly subscriptions, you can purchase as many sessions as you would like.
When I used MDLive, I chose to explore the therapy options, but MDLive also has psychiatry services. MDLive lets you talk by video with a board-certified psychiatrist when you or your family needs care. These providers can help with non-emergency issues. They can even write and send prescriptions to your drugstore. An appointment will be $248 monthly.
If your insurance plan isn’t in-network with MDLive, you should consider working with Doctor on Demand instead. They offer very similar services to MDLive and tend to be in-network with lots of plans (and EAPs, too). Head over to our full Doctor on Demand review for details.
Why You Can Trust My Review
Our experienced reviewers tried and tested MDLive, participating in therapy and psychiatry sessions with multiple providers on the platform over the last two years. We found MDLive to be one of the most comprehensive providers in the space, offering care without ongoing subscription fees, making it a great option for quick and convenient mental health care.
Our review of MDLive is based on first-hand experience using their therapy services by two of our experienced reviewers. Our reviewers – Michelle and Emily – have used MDLive by going through the sign-up process, getting matched with MDLive therapists, going to therapy sessions, and trying and testing all the features on offer. Over the last few months, we’ve learned much about MDLive while collectively testing and reviewing multiple other online therapy providers. Throughout our multiple reviews of MDLive, we have looked into their services and checked to see if they have made any changes or improvements.
Based on our quantitative multi-point scoring criteria, MDLive scored 4 out of 5 stars during our most recent review. Our scoring criteria measure 30+ metrics across 12 categories from user experience to provider vetting and experience, and more.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Firsthand MDLive Reviews
Below, we’ve presented a deep dive into everything MDLive offers, but sometimes you just want to hear a clear recommendation from somebody who’s used the service firsthand. Here are our firsthand experiences with MDLive therapy and psychiatry services.
Michelle Liu, MPH
Emily Guarnotta, Psy.D.
Detailed Review of MDLive
MDLiveTherapy
MDLive offers online therapy to those age 10 and older with licensed therapists in all 50 US states and Puerto Rico. The cost of therapy with MDLive is $108-$248 monthly. Like all of MDLive’s services, there is no monthly subscription plan. You can purchase therapy appointments as often as needed.
Scheduling an appointment and meeting with a therapist on MDLive can take as little as a day. When you sign up, you will be able to browse through their therapist directory and choose one that meets your needs. You can view their profile, see their schedule, and select an appointment day and time that works for you. Some therapists even offer evening and weekend appointments. The therapist directory is easy to navigate, especially if you need an appointment on a specific day or at a specific time.
I signed up online by going to the “I Need Care” tab at the top of the homepage, then choosing “Mental Health” from a dropdown list. I could not see a list of therapist options yet, only “Schedule an Appointment.” When I tried to do that it prompted me to make an account first, but that only took a minute, just wanting basic contact info like my email, birthdate and zip code, and the reason I was seeking care. A few of the options were: “I am grieving the loss of a loved one,” “I’ve been experiencing mood swings,” “I have relationship issues,” or even “I am not sure.” I decided to go through a more general mental health appointment, expressing concerns of high levels of stress and more anxious thoughts.
In California, I came across mental health counselors, therapists, and social workers—65 total therapist options popped up for the state, but only 1 fit my criteria. I could choose a therapist filtering by things like therapist gender, what I was looking to treat, and specialties (such as addiction, anxiety, adoption, and Borderline Personality Disorder). I went with a therapist with experience in working with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which I am drawn to for managing my low-level anxiety, and I was able to get an appointment for a few days out.
MDLive Therapy sessions are between 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the provider, and are held through video calls on the company’s website or app. There is no set session frequency. You may opt to meet with your therapist regularly, such as once a week, or you can choose to schedule sessions when you need them. Each therapist has their own approach, so you can work out a treatment plan with your therapist and decide together how frequently sessions should be held. My appointment lasted for 25 minutes because I decided to end it early, but my session was timed for 45 minutes.
MDLive Therapy users can communicate with providers in between appointments using the company’s secure messaging portal. This can be used to discuss appointment scheduling concerns, and answer questions about medications. When I used this feature I received a response back from my provider in less than 24 hours.
MDLive Psychiatry
MDLive offers online psychiatry with licensed psychiatrists in all 50 US states and Puerto Rico. The cost of psychiatry with MDLive is $248 for an initial assessment and $108 for follow-up visits. Like all of MDLive’s services, there is no monthly subscription plan. You can purchase psychiatry appointments as often as needed.
Online psychiatry with MDLive is available for anyone in the United States 10 years and older. Many other online psychiatry platforms only treat adults over age 18, so this is a feature of MDLive that helps it stand out. Children and teens under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign them up for services.
Psychiatry appointments are approximately 15 to 30 minutes and are held over the phone or via video through the company’s website or app. Psychiatric providers include psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. All providers are either MDs or psychiatric nurse practitioners and are licensed in the state(s) where they practice. You are able to view all of the providers in your state and read through their profiles before selecting one of your choosing.
MDLive Psychiatry users can communicate with providers in between appointments using the company’s secure messaging portal. This can be used to discuss appointment scheduling concerns, and answer questions about medications. When I used this feature I received a response back from my provider in less than 24 hours.
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MDLive Cost & Insurance
MDLive costs $108 – $248 per live session depending on if you want a therapy session or a psychiatry appointment. If you have health insurance, your costs may be less depending on your coverage. MDLive verifies your insurance benefits for you and advises you of your costs before you schedule your appointment.
Out-of-pocket MDLive costs are:
- MDLive Therapy: $108 per 45 – 60 minute live session either through phone or video call. You will be able to select your own therapist.
- MDLive Psychiatry: $248 for an initial 30-minute session and $108 for a 15-minute follow-up session. Just like with the therapy offering, you will be able to select your own provider.
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.
MDLive Insurance
MDLive works with a large selection of insurance payors, including:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Oxford
- Oscar
- United Healthcare
If you cannot find a provider that is in-network with your given insurance plan, you can still download a superbill for mental health 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 MDLive session fee just as you would a credit card.
Who Does MDLive Serve?
MDLive serves those 10 years and older seeking therapy or psychiatry for general mental health issues. It gives you access to evidence-based therapy with licensed therapists in all US states and Puerto Rico.
MDLive treats general mental health issues, and OCD is covered under this to a degree, but if you’re seeking a specialist to help with OCD-related symptoms, then NOCD is your best bet. If you’re looking for mental health help for your child under 10 years old, Manatee Health is our favorite pick – they treat kids as young as 18 months old. Older kids should look into additional options for online therapy for teens.
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 of our favorite picks out of the best online therapy providers.
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User Reviews for MDLive
We have listed out the user reviews for MDLive, but did not include Better Business Bureau because reviews there gave an overall review of the app that did not match our review of MDLive. The platform is a telehealth platform that features other areas of care, so we focused on the mental health and psychiatry reviews.
Reviews from Apple App Store
- 4.7-star out of 5
- Positive reviews include the ease of finding a provider in their state. Other reviews mentioned how easy the interface was to use.
- Negative reviews include how hard it was to find a quality provider that resonated with a patient. Other reviews mentioned how the reminders for MDLive were overwhelming and bothersome.
Reviews from Android App Store
- 4.6-star out of 5
- Positive reviews include how easy MDLive was to navigate, with limited connectivity issues. Other positive reviews include how easy it was to find a provider that was within a patient’s area of interest.
- Negative reviews include the wait time for some of the providers on MDLive. Other reviews talked about the poor quality of their provider.
Who May Want an Alternative to MDLive?
While MDLive is a good choice for some, it will not be the right fit for everyone. Those seeking to be prescribed controlled medication, experiencing severe mental health symptoms or crises, or people who prefer text-based therapy will need to seek out an alternative.
You Require Controlled Medications
MDLive providers do not prescribe controlled substances of any kind. If you are seeking benzodiazepines for anxiety, stimulants for ADHD, detox medications, sleeping medicines, or any medications with a potential for abuse, you will need to seek out an alternative. You may want to consider Amwell, which can coordinate care and prescribing of controlled medications with your primary care provider, assuming your primary care provider can prescribe those. If you have ADHD, anxiety, or sleep disorders, you can still seek treatment with MDLive, but you will be prescribed an alternative to controlled medications.
Those With Severe Mental Health Symptoms or Mental Health Crisis
MDLive is unable to treat anyone with severe mental health symptoms or who is experiencing an active mental health crisis. Those with psychotic disorders, and people in active detox from substance use disorders are encouraged to seek in-person care. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, you should contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you are seeking an online platform to help you with suicidal ideation management, Brightside Health may also be a good alternative. They now offer a crisis care program that is available in select states.
You Prefer Text-Based Therapy
MDLive does not offer text-based therapy sessions – all therapy sessions are held either over the phone or through live video calls. If you have a question or concern between appointments, you can send messages to your provider through the company’s website or app but this shouldn’t be considered therapy. The messaging is only for scheduling purposes or non-emergency concerns, like questions about medication refills. If you are looking for text-based therapy, then you will want to seek out a platform like Calmerry or Online-Therapy.com.
MDLive Vs. Competitors
Online mental health care is growing, with more and more platforms offering virtual psychiatry and therapy. Platforms may differ in the type of conditions that they treat and their cost. Teladoc, Amwell, and Talkspace are three companies that are similar to MDLive, but differ slightly in cost and age range.
Price: $108 – $248 per session
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Therapy Offered? Yes
-
Offers a range of services, including online psychiatry, therapy, and medical visits -
Choose between live phone or video appointments
-
No options for text therapy -
No discounts or bundles available if you want therapy and psychiatry
Price: $109 – $279 per session
Insurance Accepted? Yes
-
Therapy and Psychiatry available as per session costs -
Therapy services available to individuals 10-years and older
-
Psychiatry is only available for individuals 18-years and older -
No text-based therapy available
Price: $119-299 per session
Insurance Accepted? Yes
-
Accepts insurance from most major providers -
Medicaid is accepted in very select states -
Services are available at a flat rate without insurance.
-
Appointments can be expensive if they’re not covered by insurance. -
No between-session messaging
Price: $276 – $436 monthly
Insurance Accepted? Yes
-
Many major health insurance plans are accepted -
Individual, couples, and teen therapy available
-
Not much control over initial therapist choice -
Provider matching process can take a few days
Price: $100 – $149 per session for cash-pay; $5 – $50+ for in-network
Insurance Accepted? Yes
-
Accepts most major PPO insurance plans -
Can prescribe controlled substances like Adderall
-
Providers are not psychiatric specialists -
Only available on mobile devices
MDLive Vs. Amwell
MDLive Vs. Teladoc
MDLive Vs. Talkspace
MDLive Vs. Circle Medical
MDLive Review – Our Final Verdict
“If you have a private area in your home where you can talk with a therapist for 45 minutes without interruption, MDLive can be a good option. It’s much more time-efficient than traveling to a therapist’s office. MDLive can also be a good option for those who are looking for both therapy and psychiatry in a telehealth platform. If you have health insurance that covers mental health treatment, it can be cost-effective as well. Just be sure to check whether your plan covers online therapy—and if it requires any particular credentials from your therapist—before you start treatment. MDLive has a large directory of providers that a user can find. This makes it great to find someone relatable, who meets your individual needs.”
History & News of MDLive
Year Founded: 2009
Founder: Randy Parker
Publicly Traded: Yes
Headquartered In: Miramar, FL
MDLive was founded in 2009 and is currently a leading telemedicine platform. The company initially offered online and on-demand medical care, and then later expanded to also offer mental health services. MDLive’s network of behavioral health providers includes board-certified psychiatrists and licensed therapists and counselors. On average, MDLive providers have 10 years of clinical experience, as well as additional training in telehealth. According to the company, one of the features that set it apart from other online platforms is the ability to schedule an appointment in just a few days and the ability to reach a wide range of patients by offering evening and weekend appointments.
In 2017, a class action lawsuit was filed against MDLive claiming privacy violations.1 However, the lawsuit was quickly dropped without settlement. According to MDLive, they take patient privacy and confidentiality very seriously and adheres to ethics and laws. For more information, see MDLive’s privacy policy.
In 2021, MDLive was acquired by Cigna Evernorth.2 Since the acquisition, MDLive has continued to expand its services. The company plans on adding
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
Online Therapy
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