We rated Sesame Health’s psychiatric care services 3.5 out of 5 stars after hands-on testing and consulting with a company representative for the latest information. Sesame’s marketplace connects users with primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists for virtual and in-person care. While it’s technically available in all 50 US states, provider availability varies by location. Designed for uninsured individuals or those with high-deductible plans, Sesame does not accept insurance.
Editor’s Notes
Since our last review, Sesame Care began offering a weight loss program, “Success by Sesame,” costing $249 monthly, with medication included. They also offer something called Sesame Plus, an optional subscription service—$10.99 monthly or $99 annually—that gives patients access to cash discounts on virtual and in-person services.
Sesame At A Glance
Cost: Varies by provider and service
Insurance Accepted: No
Pros & Cons
Pros - Filter providers by price, gender, language, availability, & reviews
- Easy to switch provider
- Mental Health Rx for more affordable medication management
- Offers cash discounts through Sesame Plus
- Accepts HSA & FSA payment
Cons - Does not accept insurance
- Cannot prescribe controlled substances
- Prices vary by provider and service
- Provider availability varies across the US
- Site can be glitchy
Overview
Sesame Care offers psychiatry and therapy services alongside urgent care, weight loss, dermatology, and much more. It doesn’t accept insurance, and costs—set by individual providers—vary. According to a representative, per-session rates start at $29 for acute care and medication management and $79 for therapy, though we found costs to be much higher. For access to cash discounts on both virtual and in-person care, as well as a free annual lab test, you can subscribe to Sesame Plus for $10.99 monthly or $99 annually—though this is optional.
When I sought a psychiatrist through the platform, the out-of-pocket cost for an initial consultation was $352, probably related to my location, which isn’t near a big city. I was somewhat reassured given that my doctor was a full MD, which isn’t always the case with online psychiatry platforms. Booking a next-day appointment was quick, and the virtual visit worked seamlessly on my iPhone.
If you are looking for ongoing psychiatric care, Sesame offers Mental Health Rx., a $79 monthly subscription that includes video calls with a provider of the patient’s choice, unlimited provider messaging, and seamless access to prescriptions and refills for a range of mental health conditions.
Based on our experience, Sesame provides quality care, but its pricing can be steep depending on your location and what kind of care you need. If you have insurance coverage, you’ll likely be better served by an online therapy platform that accepts insurance. For alternative cash-pay options, try Brightside or BetterHelp, which offers financial aid for those who qualify.
Detailed Review
We gave Sesame Care 3.5 out of 5 stars. As a directory, it is available to anyone in the U.S., but clinician availability will vary depending on where you live. All providers set their own rates, so costs can also be difficult to predict, and Sesame does not accept insurance. In general, we approve of and appreciate the quality of care and prescribers on the platform, but its downsides—as explored below—could be a deal-breaker for some users.
Review our scoring criteria for online psychiatry platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Psychiatry
Sesame Care acts as a marketplace of psychiatrists and mental health medication providers. Prices are set by individual providers, and fees can vary significantly, depending on the specialty and your provider’s expertise. For example, in San Diego, CA, psychiatry consultations range from $120 – $300+ for an initial consultation. However, according to a Sesame representative, prices start at $29 for acute care and medication management.
Convenient Live Telehealth Sessions
I joined my initial Sesame Health psychiatry session from my iPhone without any issues. What was scheduled as a 45-minute telehealth appointment lasted about 35 minutes, during which my psychiatrist discussed my background, present concerns, and medical history.
Together, we explored the most appropriate diagnosis for my situation. I shared my interest in gradually tapering off Sertraline, and my psychiatrist worked with me to create a plan to adjust the medication, providing resources for support along the way.
If prescribed medication, Sesame prescribers can route prescriptions to a local pharmacy for affordable generics, and patients receive a prescription savings card—sometimes offering lower prices than a typical co-pay, which is especially helpful for those without insurance.
My psychiatrist emphasized the importance of therapy alongside medication management and ordered lab work through Quest Diagnostics to better understand any biological factors affecting my symptoms. The labs included a complete blood count, lipid panel, and tests for vitamins and minerals—an extra step that reassured me of her holistic approach to care.
By the end of the session, we outlined a plan moving forward, agreeing to meet monthly, and scheduled my next appointment. Overall, I was impressed with my Sesame Care psychiatrist and found the platform supportive and easy to use.
Mental Health Rx
For those who are looking for affordable ongoing medication management, Sesame also offers Mental Health Rx: a $79 monthly subscription that includes video calls with a provider of the patient’s choice, unlimited provider messaging, seamless access to prescriptions and refills for a range of mental health conditions, and more.
Therapy
Sesame Health offers virtual therapy services via the same system it uses to offer psychiatry. Therapists sign up to join the Sesame network in the states they’re licensed in and set their own rates the same way that other Sesame doctors do. I only had five therapists in my area, and session costs in my area ranged from $100 – $400+, depending on the clinician’s credentials and expertise. A representative with Sesame stated that, depending on where you’re located, therapy appointments can start as low as $79 per session.
Physical Health
Like its mental health offerings, Sesame Care also offers virtual physical health services, including urgent care, weight loss, dermatology, pediatrics, and women’s health. All of these services fundamentally operate the same way as Sesame’s mental health services, with providers setting their own availability and rates.
In addition to virtual care, Sesame Health also works to link patients to in-person care such as dentist check-ups and MRIs. All in-person services are priced by appointment just as Sesame’s virtual care is.
Weight Loss Program
Sesame Care now offers a weight loss program called “Success by Sesame” for $249 monthly. in all 50 US states. The program includes unlimited messaging, comprehensive care, choice of provider, and more. This initiative offers eligible patients access to compounded semaglutide—a GLP-1-based medication—without any retail price markup. The package includes pre-measured, pre-filled syringes to facilitate accurate and comfortable self-administration, with free shipping provided.
Cost
Providers on Sesame Care set their own rates, so session fees can vary widely based on factors like credentials and location. Patients can view pricing upfront on provider bios before booking. According to Sesame, rates start at $29 for acute care and medication management, and $79 for therapy sessions. However, it’s worth noting that these prices can be significantly higher—in our experience looking through providers in our location, they were.
Sesame Plus
For $10.99 monthly or $99 annually, you can join Sesame Plus, which nets a few benefits that might be worthwhile for those who plan to use Sesame regularly.
The Sesame Plus plan includes:
- $10 discount on all Sesame telehealth appointments
- $10 discount on in-person specialty visits
- Exclusive access to additional discounts
- Free labs and blood work once annually ($65 value)
- Access to Sesame concierge, a service that helps you identify the right provider at the best price
Other Services
Additional services with Sesame cost:
- Mental Health Rx: $79 monthly subscription
- Weight loss program: $249 monthly
Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits
While Sesame is not an online therapy provider that accepts insurance, the company will
provide a detailed invoice upon request and are developing a self-service superbill tool to help with out-of-network reimbursement. You can also use FSA or HSA funds for mental health services, as well as other health account funds.
Who Does Sesame Care Serve?
Sesame Care serves anyone in the US; however, the age range of clients served varies by provider. Patients can review individual provider profiles to see the specific age groups they work with. Patients can also search by provider specialty (pediatrics, mental health, women’s health, etc) in order to find the right clinician for their needs. Provider availability also varies widely depending on your location.
User Reviews
There aren’t many independent user reviews for Sesame Care available online. Trustpilot is the only source of aggregated user reviews for Sesame. For the most part, user reviews are positive. Users appear to appreciate the convenience and wide range of services that Sesame offers. Still, there are a handful of negative reviews that are mostly concerned with isolated clinician issues.
Sesame Care Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.5 out of 5 stars | 2,796 reviews
Positive reviews from Trustpilot indicate that users appreciate the convenience Sesame offers, as well as the very wide range of services offered. Some mentioned that being able to conveniently access mental healthcare has been helpful due to social anxiety. Others noted that having access to urgent care services no matter where they are is very helpful.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot are mostly centered around isolated issues with individual providers; however, some reviews noted displeasure with the clarity of services offered. Some reviews mentioned that providers were unwilling to prescribe medications that they expected them to and were displeased that they were not issued a refund.
Sesame Care Reviews from BBB | 3.9 out of 5 stars | 127 reviews
Positive reviews from BBB mentioned that Sesame Care provides an easy process, reasonable rates, professional and responsive staff, making it a great option for individuals without insurance.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot include reports of some providers not showing up or being late to appointments. This has caused users frustration and disappointment and they do not want to continue the process.
Reviews from Reddit | r/telehealth
Positive reviews from Reddit include users expressing contentment on receiving fast and easy medication refills from Sesame Care.
Negative reviews from Reddit involve isolated reports of incorrect medications being sent to clients.
Alternatives & Competitors
Sesame Care is a great option for people seeking mental healthcare online or in-person, but if you have trouble finding a provider in their marketplace, or you found one but they are out of your price range, you might consider an alternative. BetterHelp has over 30,000 therapists on its platform and offers financial aid for those who qualify. Brightside Health is another one of our favorite services for bundling therapy and psychiatry services. They offer top-notch care, affordable cash-pay prices, and accept many insurance plans. If you want the opportunity to receive controlled medication, including Adderall or Xanax, Talkiatry is able to prescribe them when clinically appropriate.
More Medication Access - Talkiatry
Price: ~ $30 copay with insurance
Insurance Accepted: Yes, exclusively
Location: 43 US states
If you’re in-network with Talkiatry, it’s a smart place to start. You’ll receive high-quality care with access to more medications. Sesame and Talkiatry offer similar services, but their focus sets them apart. Talkiatry specializes in mental health, prioritizing psychiatry with therapy available as needed for existing patients. In contrast, Sesame Care provides a broader range of telehealth services, including mental health, weight loss, and preventative care. Another key difference is that Talkiatry only accepts in-network insurance plans, with no cash-pay options. So, if you don’t have insurance, Sesame is the more accessible choice.
To learn more about the differences between Sesame and Talkiatry, check out our full Talkiatry review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Psychiatry appts. are longer than most online psychiatry platforms
- Can prescribe controlled medications when clinically appropriate
Cons - Only accepts in-network insurance patients
- Doesn’t provide therapy independent of psychiatric care
Best for Subscription Care Model - Brightside Health
Price: $95 – $349 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Location: US
Brightside Health, like Sesame, offers psychiatry and therapy, but through a subscription model rather than pay-as-you-go appointments. This subscription can be beneficial for those seeking ongoing support, predictable costs, and regular access to care. Brightside also offers a unique Suicide Prevention Program, providing urgent mental health support—an option not available through Sesame.
To learn more, visit our full review of Brightside Health.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Same-day appointments often available
Cons - Customer service takes several days to respond
- Treats teens in limited states
Best Financial Aid for Cash-pay - BetterHelp
Price: $280–$400 monthly
Insurance Accepted: No
Location: US & International
BetterHelp offers therapy and Sesame Care can connect you with therapy, but they differ in key ways. BetterHelp has a larger directory of therapists and operates on a subscription basis, with financial aid available for those who qualify. In contrast, Sesame Care uses a pay-as-you-go model, giving users flexibility to book individual sessions—though they offer a Mental Health Rx subscription for medication management at $79 per month, whereas BetterHelp does not prescribe.
If you’re in an area where you can find low-cost mental health care with Sesame, go for it; it’s worth exploring. Otherwise, learn more about BetterHelp in our review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - 30k+ provider directory
- Offers financial aid to those who qualify
Cons - Doesn’t accept insurance
- No medication management
Why You Can Trust My Review
“I personally signed up for Sesame Care, navigating the system and attending a psychiatry consultation. Despite the relatively small pool of providers in my area, I was impressed by the platform’s quick turnaround time — I was able to secure an appointment just two days after signing up. That level of speed and accessibility is a rare find, especially compared to traditional in-person care.
I also took a close look at what Sesame Care offers beyond appointments. While I found their selection of extra resources, like educational videos or interactive content, to be limited, I understand that their focus is currently on providing a wide array of healthcare services rather than diving deeply into supplementary mental health tools. Additionally, their current direct-pay model means they don’t work with insurance networks, which may be a deal-breaker for some, though it aligns with the founder’s healthcare philosophy.
Ultimately, my review reflects both the strengths and limitations I encountered. If you can find a provider in your area that fits your budget, Sesame can be a solid option for psychiatry or therapy. However, if you have in-network choices available through your insurance, it’s worth exploring those first. This balanced perspective comes from my genuine experience with the platform.”
History & News
Year Founded: 2018
Founders: David Goldhill, Michael Botta, John Fontein
Business Structure: Privately-Held
Headquartered In: New York, New York
Sesame Care, founded in 2018 as EasyCare Health by David Goldhill, Michael Botta, PhD, and John Fontein, aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable by connecting patients directly with providers, removing intermediaries that can drive up costs.1, 2
David Goldhill has been an active voice in healthcare reform since 2009, notably publishing an essay in The Atlantic titled “How American Healthcare Killed My Father” and authoring several books on the topic.3
In 2022, Sesame raised $27 million in Series B funding led by GV (formerly Google Ventures) and launched “Sesame @ Work,” an employer-focused program designed to lower healthcare costs.4, 5
The company partnered with Costco in September 2023, offering members virtual primary care visits for $29 and online mental health therapy for $79. That same year, Sesame was named a “Fierce 15” company by Fierce Healthcare.6, 7
In August 2024, Sesame introduced “Success by Sesame,” a direct-to-consumer weight loss program providing eligible patients access to compounded semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication, without retail markup.8
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sesame Care Legit?
Yes. Sesame Care is a legitimate provider of psychiatry and therapy services, as well as other telemedicine offerings. We have personally used Sesame’s platform and recommend it to those who might benefit from it.
Can Sesame Care Prescribe Controlled Substances?
No. According to Sesame Care’s website, the company does not prescribe any kind of controlled substance.
What States is Sesame Care Available In?
Sesame Care is available nationwide in all 50 US states and Washington DC.
How Much Does Sesame Care Cost?
All Sesame Care doctors and providers set their own rates, so overall costs vary greatly depending on your location and your provider’s credentials.
Does Sesame Care Take Insurance?
No. Sesame Care does not accept insurance.
How Does Sesame Care Work?
Sesame Care is a marketplace or directory of doctors and healthcare providers, including psychiatrists and therapists. If you’d like to start seeing a mental health provider through Sesame, you simply enter your current location and search for relevant professionals that service your area.
All Sesame Care doctors and providers set their own rates, so cost varies. For virtual visits, Sesame has a built-in video platform. There is also a full patient dashboard to view your records, set new appointments, and more.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for Sesame?
Yes. You can use your FSA or HSA funds for mental health services provided by Sesame. You simply enter your card information as a payment just as you would with a debit or credit card.
Does Sesame Care Issue Refunds?
Sesame Care may issue refunds on a case-by-case basis. If you’d like to reach out to Sesame for more information about a refund, you can contact Sesame Care customer service by email at [email protected], by phone at +1 (877) 947-6411, or by submitting a ticket through your Sesame account.
Is Sesame Care HIPAA-Compliant?
Yes. Sesame Care is a fully HIPAA-compliant platform.
Choosing Therapy 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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CBInsights. (n.d.). Sesame company profile. CrunchBase Insights. Retrieved from: https://www.cbinsights.com/company/sesame-1
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Sesame. (n.d.). The Sesame team: We’ve quietly built a new healthcare system. Retrieved from: https://sesamecare.com/team
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Goldhill, D. (2009). How American healthcare killed my father. The Atlantic. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/09/how-american-health-care-killed-my-father/307617/
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Azevedo, M.A. (June, 2022). Sesame closes on $27M in funding to grow its pay-per-visit healthcare marketplace. TechCrunch. Retrieved from: https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/14/sesame-closes-on-27m-in-funding-to-grow-its-pay-per-visit-medical-care-marketplace/
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Sesame. (Nov. 2022). PR Newswire. SESAME UNVEILS “SESAME @ WORK,” THE ONLY CURE FOR THE PAIN OF HIGH-DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS. Retrieved from: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sesame-unveils-sesame–work-the-only-cure-for-the-pain-of-high-deductible-health-plans-301678565.html
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Japsen, B. (Sept. 2023). Costco Is Latest Retailer To Offer Doctor Visits Via Online Partner. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2023/09/25/costco-latest-retailer-to-offer-doctor-visits-via-online-partner/?sh=365b44312ded
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Landi, H. (Jan. 2023). Fierce Healthcare’s Fierce 15 of 2023. Fierce Healthcare. Retrieved from: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/special-reports/fierce-healthcares-fierce-15-2023
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Sesame. (n.d.). Shed pounds, save dollars. Weight loss for $249/mo., medication included. Retrieved from: https://sesamecare.com/service/online-weight-loss-program
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: Matthew Church, M.S (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No Change)
Updates: Revised for clarity and accuracy: added information about the new weight loss service, including pricing; mentioned the upcoming Superbill tool; clarified cost details, including Sesame Plus, which provides discounts, and the Mental Health Rx subscription at $79 per month; and updated the News & History section and Sources.
Author: Matthew Church, M.S
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
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