Telehealth vs. Health Insurance: Do You Need Both?

This is the most common question we get. A $29/month telehealth membership sounds like it might replace health insurance. It does not. Here is the honest answer.

What Medcare covers

• Live video visits with a real provider, Monday through Friday
• Prescriptions sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
• Guidance on whether you need in-person care
• Referrals to specialists or urgent care when needed
• Everyday concerns: colds, rashes, refills, follow-ups

What health insurance covers that Medcare does not

• Emergency room visits and hospitalization
• Surgery and inpatient procedures
• Specialist visits that require in-person evaluation
• Laboratory testing and imaging
• Maternity care
• Catastrophic medical events

Do you need both?

If you can afford health insurance, you should have it. A single hospital stay can cost $10,000 to $100,000. Telehealth cannot protect you from that financial risk. Health insurance can.

But if you cannot afford insurance, or you have a high-deductible plan that makes routine care prohibitively expensive, Medcare fills the gap for everyday concerns. It is better than skipping care entirely.

The ideal setup

Health insurance for the big stuff. Telehealth for the everyday stuff. Most people with insurance still overpay for routine care because they go to urgent care instead of using a video visit. A $29/month membership saves you money even if you have insurance, because your routine visits cost $29 instead of your copay plus whatever your deductible requires.

The bottom line

Medcare is not insurance. It is a practical, affordable way to handle the 80 percent of healthcare needs that do not require a hospital. Use it for what it is good at. Use insurance for what it is good at. They complement each other.

Before you start

Have your current medications and relevant history nearby. If you are helping a family member, let them decide who should be in the conversation. If you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.