Good to know
Doctegrity vs Health Insurance: What Each One Does
The most common question we get is whether this replaces health insurance. It does not. It does something insurance is bad at: getting you to a doctor in the next two hours, at no cost per visit, for the problems that make up most of a family's medical year.
Side by side
| Doctegrity telehealth | Group health insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor visit | $0, by phone or video, 24/7 | Copay, during office hours |
| Wait time | Callback within 2 hours, or schedule ahead | Days to weeks |
| Prescriptions | Discount card; add-on plans at $0 for about 700 acute or about 4,000 full-formulary medications | Copays and tiers |
| Counseling | 4 sessions per issue, unlimited issues, $0 | Varies; usually copays and networks |
| Emergency room, surgery, hospital | Not covered | Covered after deductible |
| Specialists | Not covered | Covered, often with referral |
| Household | Up to 6 people at the same address, no extra fee | Per-dependent premiums |
| Eligibility | Anyone the employer adds, or sign up yourself | Usually 30+ hours and employee only |
| Price | $20 to $45 per member per month | Hundreds per person per month |
Why people with insurance still use it
Because the doctor answers. A $20 membership that saves one urgent care copay has paid for itself, and most families use it several times a year: a child's ear infection on a Sunday, a refill when the regular doctor is booked, a therapist without a waitlist. Nothing about using Doctegrity touches your insurance record.
Where it is honest about limits
Doctegrity doctors cannot prescribe controlled substances, most mental health medications or certain pain medications, and they cannot treat anything that needs hands-on care. Prescriptions are written for U.S. pharmacies only. Members outside the U.S. can get informational consultations.
Common questions
Can I drop my insurance and keep only Doctegrity?
You can, but you would be uninsured for anything serious. We do not recommend it. Doctegrity is a supplement, or a first benefit for people who have no coverage at all.
Does Doctegrity share anything with my insurer?
No. Doctegrity does not report to insurers.
Can a Doctegrity doctor refer me to a specialist?
They can advise you to see one and tell you what to ask for, but they do not issue referrals into an insurance network.
More about telehealth
- Telehealth for Part-Time Staff and Contractors
- A Health Benefit for Teams That Cannot Offer Insurance Yet
- How the Doctegrity Prescription Plans Work
- Mental Health Counseling Through Doctegrity
- eVets: A Vet for Every Pet, 24/7
- Sign Up for Doctegrity Yourself, No Employer Needed
- Watch: How Doctegrity Telehealth Works
- Doctegrity Telehealth: Frequently Asked Questions