We used Sesame Health psychiatry and reviewed the full suite of their mental health services, and they earned 3.5 out of 5 stars in our independent review. We noticed some great benefits to Sesame health care including same-day appointments and flexible pricing, but also some drawbacks like a lack of insurance acceptance and a small provider pool, which lowered their overall score slightly.
Cost: Varies by provider and service
Insurance Accepted? No
Pros - Same-day appointments are often available
- No ongoing subscription fees
- All-in-one solution with many physical health services available
Cons - Does not accept insurance
- No set cost - prices vary greatly by provider and service
- Small provider selection in many locations
Overview
Sesame Care is an online medical provider that offers psychiatry and therapy services in addition to other offerings such as urgent care and dermatology. Sesame Health costs are set by the individual provider, so they vary significantly by specialty and provider and are charged by session. Sesame does not accept insurance.
When I signed up for Sesame Care, to find a psychiatrist for medication services, I was slightly taken aback by the out-of-pocket cost – which I felt was very high at $352 for the initial consult. Regardless, I was made to feel more confident in the cost by the fact that my Sesame doctor was a full MD, which often isn’t the case with online psychiatry platforms. I was able to snag a next-day appointment and able to easily attend the appointment via my iPhone with no technical issues, however, I found most of the other aspects of the website to be somewhat clunky to use.
While Sesame Care can cover a huge number of physical and mental health problems, its pricing may be prohibitive to some. If you have insurance that’s in-network both Talkiatry and Talkspace have great psychiatry programs. Brightside Health has some of the most affordable cash-pay rates for virtual psychiatry. Meanwhile, if you’re just interested in therapy, then BetterHelp has an affordable cash-pay subscription platform that’s great for many (and BetterHelp offers financial aid if you can’t afford therapy).
Why You Can Trust My Review
Review our scoring criteria for online psychiatry platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Firsthand Sesame Care Reviews
Below, we’ve presented a deep dive into everything Sesame Care 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 Sesame Health.
Matthew Church, MS
Detailed Review of Sesame Health
Sesame Care offers online psychiatry and therapy services, as well as a large number of other virtual and in-person physical health services including dermatology, dentistry, urgent care, and more. Sesame Care is available for anyone in the U.S., but individual clinicians may have restrictions on who they serve. All providers set their own rates on Sesame, so costs can vary significantly. Sesame Care does not accept insurance.
Sesame Care Psychiatry
Sesame Care offers a marketplace of psychiatrists and mental health medication providers. Prices are set by individual providers, and these fees can vary significatly, depending on the specialty and your provider’s expertise. For example, in San Diego, CA psychiatry consultations on Sesame, prices range from $120 – $300+ for an initial consult.
Usability Troubles
While I was searching the Sesame Care provider directory, I felt that the user interface was subpar – the features of the website don’t always work as expected and, on a few occasions, my location was changed to New York without my input. There also aren’t very many search filters for narrowing down your provider search, but I found they weren’t necessary as there were only four providers in my area. I searched a more heavily populated area, San Diego, and was presented with 18 options.
It’s worth noting that by simply changing the search location, it’s easy to see that provider availability is going to vary significantly across the country with Sesame, so folks in areas with fewer providers might have to wait a bit longer for their initial session. Thankfully, despite the slim selection of providers in my area, I was able to snag an appointment within two days of signing up. My Sesame doctor’s profile was easy to read and listed out their professional background as well as all the states they are licensed in.
Convenient Live Telehealth Sessions
I joined my initial Sesame Health psychiatry session from my iPhone on my home network. I didn’t encounter any issues with joining my session, and Sesame provided plenty of reminders and routes for getting to my virtual session. My Sesame telehealth appointment was allotted for 45 minutes, and my psychiatrist and I ended up using about 35 minutes. During the session, she discussed my background, the presenting concern, and its history. My Sesame Care psychiatrist worked with me to decide on the most appropriate diagnosis given my situation – I let her know that I was interested in backing off of my current medication, Sertraline, and ultimately ending it long-term. My psychiatrist discussed my request with me, helped develop a plan to titrate off of this medication, and gave me resources to consult during this process.
During my session, my psychiatrist discussed my treatment plan and urged me to seek therapy in addition to medication management for more intensive care. As well, my provider decided to order some lab work to get an assessment of various metrics in my blood. The lab order was simply sent to Quest Diagnostics and I would visit one of Quest’s in-person lab locations to have my blood drawn. My provider ordered labs for a complete blood count, lipid panel, and measures of several vitamins and minerals to determine if any could have an impact on my symptoms. I thought this was a great touch that reassured me of my psychiatrist’s focus on comprehensive and holistic care.
At the end of my session, my psychiatrist and I determined a plan moving forward and decided on a cadence of attending sessions once monthly and scheduled my next session. Overall, I was impressed with my experience with my Sesame Care psychiatrist and felt that the Sesame platform was very supportive to the process.
Online Psychiatry and Medication Management Covered by Insurance
Talkiatry can match you with a real psychiatrist who takes your insurance and is seeing new patients. They’re in-network with major insurers and offer medication management. Get started with a short online assessment
Sesame Health Therapy
Sesame Health offers virtual therapy services via the same system that it offers 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. Similar to the psychiatry program, I only had five therapists in my area. Session costs near me ranged from $100 – $400+, depending on the clinician’s credentials and expertise.
While I didn’t personally attend a therapy session through Sesame telehealth, I can see how the platform would be a good option if you’re looking to pay by session and either don’t have insurance or don’t have good in-network options. Depending on your situation and location, it could be a very convenient solution for virtual therapy.
Urgent Care, COVID-19 Care, & More
Like its mental health offerings, Sesame Care also offers virtual physical health services including urgent care, treatment for COVID-19, 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.
Sesame Care Cost & Insurance
All providers on Sesame Care set their own rates, so session fees can vary significantly depending on provider credentials, location, and other factors. For example, in San Diego, Sesame psychiatry consults range in price from $120 – $300+, while therapy sessions range from $95 – $250+. Sesame Care does not accept insurance.
Sesame Plus
For either $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 subscription includes:
- $10 discount on all Sesame telehealth appointments
- $10 discount on in-person specialty visits
- Free labs and blood work once annually
Sesame Care Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits
While Sesame is not an online therapy provider that accepts insurance, the company will generate a superbill after your visit that you can submit to your insurance group for out-of-network reimbursement. You can also use any FSA or HSA funds for mental health services you receive through Sesame. However, HSA plans vary, so it’s wise to check with your insurance provider first to ensure you can use your HSA funds for Sesame.
Who Does Sesame Care Serve?
Sesame Care serves anyone in the US from birth up. However, specific providers will have varying age requirements – for instance, the psychiatrist I worked with only works with people ages 19 – 50. While Sesame is available nationwide, provider availability will vary widely depending on your location.
While Sesame Care is a great option for convenient virtual therapy and psychiatry, its pool of providers is somewhat small. BetterHelp has over 30,000 therapists on its platform but doesn’t offer medication. Meanwhile, Brightside Health is one of my favorite services for bundling therapy and psychiatry services, plus they accept many insurance plans. If you’re looking for more specialized care, NOCD is a great option for those with OCD symptoms, and ReGain is a good bet for those seeking couples counseling. Meanwhile, ADHD Online is a great choice for ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
Answer a few questions and Talkspace will match you with an online prescriber and schedule a video psychiatry session. Your online psychiatry prescriber will personalize your treatment, which may include psychiatric medication and follow-ups. Talkspace accepts Medicare in some states. The average copay is $15, but many people pay $0. Learn More
User Sesame Care 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 problems with clinicians.
Sesame Care Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.1 out of 5 stars | 1,300+ 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.
Who May Want an Alternative to Sesame?
Sesame Care offers a great platform for many, but those with viable in-network mental health options and those looking for a wide provider selection should look elsewhere.
People with Viable In-Network Options for Mental Health
Sesame doesn’t accept insurance and its overall affordability varies dramatically depending on your situation. If you’re looking for mental healthcare that’s in-network with many insurance plans, Talkiatry and Talkspace are both excellent options. Or, Grow Therapy has a similar platform to Sesame that exclusively offers in-network care.
Those Looking for a Wider Provider Selection
In many areas, Sesame doesn’t have very many providers. For instance, in my area (Tennessee), there were only 5 therapists available. Meanwhile, BetterHelp has a network of over 30,000 therapists. Or, if you’re looking for psychiatry, Brightside Health has many providers.
Sesame Care Vs. Competitors
Sesame Care is a great option for flexible scheduling and pricing, but there are a few alternatives to consider. Talkiatry is best if you happen to have an insurance plan that’s in-network with it. Meanwhile, Brightside Health offers the best cash-pay prices for virtual psychiatry. Talkspace is great for both medication and therapy, especially with insurance, but is a bit more expensive out-of-pocket.
Price: Varies by provider
Insurance Accepted? No
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Same-day appointments often available -
No ongoing subscription fees
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Does not accept insurance -
No set cost - prices vary greatly by provider and service
Price: Varies; in-network only
Insurance Accepted? Yes
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Psychiatry appointments are 30-60 minutes long, longer than most online psychiatry platforms -
Provides detailed, individualized care plans
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You can only sign up with Talkiatry if you have an in-network insurance plan -
Appointment fees depend on your location and insurance coverage
Price: $95 – $349 monthly
Insurance Accepted? Yes
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Accepts many insurance plans -
Same-day appointments are often available
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Customer service takes several days to respond to requests -
Only available for those age 18 or older
Price: $276 – $436 monthly
Insurance Accepted? Yes
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Many major health insurance plans are accepted -
Psychiatric medication services available
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Not much control over initial therapist choice -
Therapist-matching process can take a few days
Sesame Care Vs. Talkiatry
Sesame Care Vs. Brightside Health
Sesame Care Vs. Talkspace
Sesame Health Review – Our Final Verdict
“Overall, Sesame Health is a great platform that seems to encourage high-quality, comprehensive psychiatry and therapy services. I was impressed with my time with the Sesame Health platform and felt that it would be an excellent solution for those with no insurance or who prefer to pay by appointment, despite the slightly higher-than-average cost compared to subscription-based online psychiatry platforms. However, the pool of providers is relatively small, so some might have trouble finding a Sesame doctor or therapist who works for them.”
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 we recommend it to those who feel it would be a good fit for them.
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. For example, in San Diego, a search for an initial consult with psychiatry providers results in costs between $120 – $300+, while therapy sessions range from $95 – $250+.
Does Sesame Care Take Insurance?
No, Sesame Care does not accept insurance, however, the company will provide a superbill to submit to your insurance group for out-of-network reimbursement. As well, you can use FSA or HSA funds for mental health services provided by Sesame Care.
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 depending on the provider you choose. For virtual visits, Sesame has a built-in video platform where you visit with your provider. There is also a full patient dashboard for viewing your records, setting 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.
History & News About Sesame Care
Year Founded: 2018
Founders: David Goldhill, Michael Botta, John Fontein
Business Structure: Privately-Held
Headquartered In: New York, New York
Sesame began its life as EasyCare Health, founded in 2018 by David Goldhill and his associates.1 Since 2009, Goldhill has been a notable figure in the discourse around American healthcare accessibility when he released a 2009 essay in The Atlantic titled How American Healthcare Killed My Father. This essay detailed Goldhill’s views of what he believed to be a corrupt and deeply flawed healthcare system that should be abandoned in favor of a system that places the patient first, avoids excessive medication prescription, and focuses on health, rather than disease, first.2 Later, Goldhill published multiple books on the topic.
Goldhill and his associates later went on to found what would become Sesame on the principle ideas he holds about healthcare in an attempt to create a system that would improve the lives of people seeking medical care and make it more affordable and accessible.3
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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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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Sesame. (n.d.). The Sesame team: We’ve quietly built a new healthcare system. Retrieved from: https://sesamecare.com/team
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