PlushCare Review — Online Therapy and Doctor Visits With Insurance

Overview

PlushCare is a US telehealth practice that combines online therapy with online doctor visits. Adults can book video sessions with a state-licensed therapist, and separately see a PlushCare physician for primary care, urgent care and medication — including many mental health medications. It accepts many insurance plans, which sets it apart from subscription-only therapy platforms.

How it works

1. Book an appointment from the PlushCare app or website. Same-day and flexible times are often available.
2. Meet your therapist or doctor by video from your phone or computer, at the time you booked.
3. Continue care with the same service. If your therapist thinks medication may help, you can book a visit with a PlushCare physician, who can send a prescription to your local pharmacy.

Provider credentials

Therapy is provided by licensed therapists in your state. Medical visits are with board-certified physicians, and PlushCare says it is licensed to provide care in all 50 states.

Medication availability

PlushCare therapists do not prescribe. PlushCare physicians can start or refill most medications except controlled substances, at their discretion. That includes common antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications such as Zoloft, Prozac, trazodone and propranolol. It excludes most ADHD stimulants and benzodiazepines. See our online psychiatry guide for services focused on psychiatric medication.

Privacy

PlushCare says its therapy platform is secure and HIPAA compliant. It publishes a privacy policy, a notice of privacy practices and a controlled substances policy on its website — read them before booking.

Customer support

PlushCare’s care team can be reached by email at info@plushcare.com or by phone at 1-800-221-5140. PlushCare is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis in the US, call or text 988 or call 911 — see Get Help Now.

What PlushCare costs in practice

PlushCare has two separate price lists, so it helps to think about what you actually plan to use:

• Therapy: $169 per session, with no subscription. Therapy receipts are available for FSA and HSA reimbursement.
• Doctor visits: $129 per visit without insurance, plus a membership of $19.99 a month or $149 a year. PlushCare says most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less per doctor visit.

For someone with a high-deductible plan who wants weekly therapy and pays out of pocket, $169 a session adds up quickly. For someone whose plan is in network and who wants occasional doctor visits for a prescription, the cost may be far lower. That is why PlushCare tends to suit people who value insurance acceptance and medical care in one place, rather than people comparing the lowest weekly self-pay price. If price is the main driver, compare BetterHelp and Sesame, and see our guide to online therapy without insurance.

Who PlushCare may suit

• Adults with insurance who want therapy and, if a clinician thinks it’s appropriate, medication from the same service.
• People who prefer per-session pricing rather than a weekly subscription, and who want to choose how often they book.
• People managing mental health alongside other medical needs, because the same practice offers primary care, urgent care and prescriptions.
• Adults with depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia or relationship concerns that fit within PlushCare’s listed conditions.

Who may want something different

• People in crisis or with severe symptoms who need in-person, intensive or emergency care. In the US, call or text 988 or call 911; see Get Help Now.
• Couples, families or anyone under 18. PlushCare’s therapy program is for individual adults only.
• People who need a stimulant for ADHD or a benzodiazepine. PlushCare doctors do not prescribe controlled substances. See ADHD medications and our guide to online ADHD treatment for options.
• People who want a diagnosis for work or school accommodations. PlushCare notes that a therapist’s diagnosis is often not sufficient, and conditions such as ADHD usually need a psychiatric or physician diagnosis.

Therapy and medication together

Many people with moderate to severe depression or anxiety benefit from both therapy and medication, and one appeal of PlushCare is that both can be arranged through one service. The two pieces work separately: your therapist does not prescribe, and your doctor visit is a separate booking. A physician can start or refill most non-controlled mental health medicines, such as common antidepressants, at their discretion, and a visit does not guarantee a prescription. Medicines take time to work and need follow-up, so ask about check-ins, side effects and how to stop safely. Our pages on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications explain what to ask.

How PlushCare compares

• Versus BetterHelp: BetterHelp is a weekly subscription with messaging, matched to a therapist, and does not prescribe. PlushCare is per-session, accepts insurance and offers medical visits. See our BetterHelp review and the BetterHelp vs. PlushCare comparison.
• Versus Lemonaid Health: Lemonaid prescribes for depression and anxiety on a monthly price but offers no therapy. See PlushCare vs. Lemonaid.
• Versus Sesame: Sesame lists cash prices from many providers and does not bill insurance. See PlushCare vs. Sesame.

Questions to ask before you book

1. Is my plan in network for therapy and for doctor visits, and what will each cost me?
2. Will I see the same therapist each time?
3. If I might want medication, how do I book a physician visit and what follow-up is included?
4. What are the cancellation and no-show policies?
5. Which of my conditions or needs fall outside what PlushCare treats?

Our verdict

PlushCare is a sensible option for insured adults who want accessible individual therapy and the option of a prescribing doctor under one roof. Its main drawbacks are the $169 price for self-pay therapy and the lack of controlled substances or therapy for couples, families and teens. Weigh it against your insurance coverage and how often you expect to book. It’s a place to start, not a replacement for emergency or specialist care.

Methodology

We checked PlushCare’s therapy pricing, insurance, prescribing policy and eligibility against its own website and FAQ on September 25, 2026, and assessed it against each criterion in our review methodology. If you want a weekly subscription with messaging between sessions instead of per-visit fees, compare BetterHelp. Prices and coverage change often, so confirm the details with PlushCare before you book.