If you‘ve seen ads for the telehealth service PlushCare, you may wonder if their doctors deliver care as convenient as marketed. I recently gave them a try myself when sudden illness struck. Read on for a transparent 2500+ word review detailing my first-hand experience as a PlushCare patient.
Why I Needed An Online Doctor
Out of nowhere last Thursday I awoke feeling chilled, achy, and head pounding like a bass drum. A nasty flu bug bit without warning overnight.
Unfortunately, I had back-to-back meetings scheduled to demo new website designs for some clients. No way I could juggle office germs and client calls while battling wicked flu symptoms.
Yet postponing these demos didn‘t seem an option either without disappointing some important partners. So what next?
Enter my sister, who swore by some doctor app called PlushCare. "You video chat with an actual doctor, Tom. Way faster than dragging your germs out to a clinic."
With my clock ticking, telehealth sounded like my best bet…
Signing Up For PlushCare
PlushCare works on a subscription model, so first I had to become a member. Memberships cost a flat $15 per month regardless of usage.
Creating an account took just 2 minutes on their site. I booked my new patient appointment right after confirming my membership.
So far really effortless overall. But could this online doctor situation really measure up to my family physician? Time to find out…
My PlushCare Video Visit Experience
Within 30 minutes of signing up, I sat sipping ginger ale in the waiting room for my appointment. No crowded smells or sniffles like at my usual clinic‘s office – already a win!
Soon Dr. Jessica Song introduced herself by video. We talked through my symptoms like body aches, fever, congestion. She asked the typical diagnostic questions but with genuine sympathy. Definitely conveyed that caring bedside manner vibe my own doc shows during visits.
After I explained how fast the flu bug hit, Dr. Song said symptoms aligned with seasonal strains currently spreading. Just what I figured unfortunately!
Diagnosis Decision
Dr. Song then confirmed her diagnosis for influenza type A based on our 15 minute video conversation. She also asked if I wanted an immediate influenza test for certainty.
However, Dr. Song said my symptoms matched influenza extremely closely in her medical opinion. Getting an extra test would mainly provide clarity around filtering precautions to protect family members.
Since I live alone, I passed on added testing to save costs through my insurance. We moved onto the treatment plan…
Prescription Management
PlushCare doctors can prescribe needed medication and send scripts directly your pharmacy. This saves an extra trip to see my regular physician just for a prescription.
Dr. Song prescribed Oseltamivir as an anti-viral to fight the influenza virus. She already had my pharmacy details through my PlushCare profile. I just had to approve sending over the script.
One caveat here though…PlushCare doesn‘t physically deliver medication to your home. You must still visit and pay at your chosen pharmacy. Something to note if expecting fully handled prescription delivery.
Follow Up Communication
Before wrapping my appointment, Dr. Song provided an after visit summary covering our key discussion points. I could also message her freely through the app with any follow ups.
This easy access and continuity with a specific doctor makes services feel much more personalized than hospital emergency visits. I don‘t just disappear into the patient ether.
Finally my first virtual doctor‘s appointment wrapped just 35 minutes after hitting my sick bed. If even half as convenient as this initial experience suggested, I could get comfy having PlushCare in my back pocket!
My PlushCare Costs Breakdown
Of course no medical care comes free, so what did this convenience actually cost? Here is the final tally:
Membership Fee
-$15 for 1 month of PlushCare access
Video Visit Consultation
-$30 copay through my eligible insurance
Prescription
-$20 copay for Oseltamivir pills
Total Fees = $65
Having insurance brought my total costs way down. But even without coverage, first visit consultations cost only $129. Quite reasonable compared to clinic costs these days.
And the membership grants me unlimited messaging access to Dr. Song specifically for follow up questions. Full reimbursement is also offered if any PlushCare doctor cannot resolve your medical issue. Pretty outstanding care pledge overall!
PlushCare Benefits: Why I Recommend These Doctors
As my first hand experience revealed, PlushCare makes healthcare radically more convenient through several advantages:
1. Access Top Quality Doctors From Home
I love knowing PlushCare screens all doctors rigorously and contracts exclusively with top physicians. I connected quickly with an Ivy league educated doctor licensed in my state without leaving bed!
2. Message My Specific Doctor 24/7
I can message Dr. Song anytime through the app rather than hope for call back luck from an aloof receptionist at my clinic. Ongoing access to "my doctor" brings tremendous peace of mind.
3. Prescriptions Sent To My Preferred Pharmacy
Though I do still visit the pharmacy myself, I appreciate PlushCare routing my scripts wherever I choose to pick up. This saves major hassle compared to shuffling in person between offices for paperwork.
4. Way Lower Costs Than In-Clinic Visits
My virtual consult clocked in around 1/3rd the price of an in-clinic urgent visit, especially when accounting for membership fee spread over a year. For uninsured patients too the $129 first visit fee beats typical $150 urgent care costs.
5. See A Doctor In Under 1 Hour Anytime
Between short booking times and efficient video visits, I got diagnosed and treated in barely over 30 minutes even as a new patient. Try pulling off that rapid timing showing up in-person at urgent care!
Limitations To Consider
While I‘m absolutely keeping my PlushCare membership for the future, a few limitations stood out from first use where traditional visits may better serve:
- Inability to perform hands-on medical examinations during video visits limits diagnostics. Illnesses requiring vital checks or scans may need clinic follow up.
- Specialist referrals can take 1-2 weeks to schedule, typical of many health networks. So time savings vanish if facing a complex condition.
- Appointment availability suffers during cold/flu/allergy seasons as doctor demand spikes. I tried booking a follow up but next openings were 5 days out.
So patients with critical chronic conditions or illnesses requiring extensive testing should view PlushCare as an urgent care supplement rather than hospital replacement.
But for everyday diagnosis and prescription access needs? I‘m wholly sold on keeping these doctors in my back pocket especially entering allergy season!
The Bottom Line: Who Should Use PlushCare?
At the end of my first day using PlushCare for severe flu symptoms, I found the service absolutely delivers as advertised for the right patients.
If you are generally healthy and require sporadic, uncomplicated medical care, PlushCare provides tremendous value. Their excellent physicians and advanced telehealth platform simplify healthcare massively.
For complex conditions or life-threatening emergencies, hospital visits remain best. But complementing your physicians with PlushCare convenience for minor issues checks all the boxes.
I‘m beyond satisfied with my experience and costs incurred. Don‘t hesitate to message me if you have any other questions!
