Sesame Care Reviews

Sesame is an online healthcare platform that connects users with telehealth and in-person providers specializing in different fields of medicine, from primary care and men’s/women’s health to pediatrics and mental health. However, it does not endorse or employ these clinicians.

The platform features providers who can assess, diagnose and create treatment plans for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (including only non-controlled medications). Each provider sets their own fees, which users pay through the platform. Sesame does not accept insurance. It provides payment receipts but does not offer additional documentation for insurance claims. It does allow payments using health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds. It has a strict refund policy.

Sesame aims to simplify the process of finding and booking healthcare services. Here’s a quick, step-by-step overview of how appointment booking and attendance works at Sesame:

1. Search: Look for a provider licensed in your state by specialty or condition using the search bar in the top right corner of the page. You can enter your exact address for local results or just your ZIP code. You can also enter “in-person” or “online,” if you’d like.
2. Select: Pick a provider and time that works for you. The fees are clearly displayed for each option. Additional filters appear on the left side of the page.
3. Pay: Fill out your personal payment information to finish booking. All payments are made upfront. You can also sign up for a Sesame Plus membership for higher discounts.
4. Prepare: You’ll fill out a brief medical history form prior to your visit.
5. Attend: For telehealth, click the secure link in the email sent to you after booking. For in-person visits, go to the provider’s office at the scheduled time.
6. Receive medication: If prescribed, you can opt for home delivery (usually within two to three business days) or have your prescription filled at a local pharmacy. Note that Sesame providers do not prescribe controlled substances.

Sesame pricing varies greatly depending on location, provider and type of care. When selecting an appointment, pricing is displayed in the top right corner of each option.

ConsumerAffairs compared some listed prices for online primary care, online psychiatry (for mental health providers, including those treating ADHD) and online therapy appointments without a Sesame Plus membership as listed in the table below:

Sesame also offers 20% off your first appointment when you sign up for promotional emails. It also offers a Sesame Plus membership. That level of membership provides additional benefits and discounts such as a dedicated care team, 25% off on primary care, 10% off on specialty care, 5% off dental care and one free lab/blood test per year. However, as of the time of this publication, pricing for this monthly membership appears inconsistently across the site ($7, $10 or $10.99/month in various places).

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Sesame’s customer service which confirmed Sesame Plus costs $10.99/month or $99/annually; you get a discount when you pay for the year upfront. Memberships must be canceled 48 hours before the renewal processing date (customers can choose monthly or annual renewal dates). Cancellation will not result in a refund, but you’ll be able to continue using the service with applicable discounts until your membership expires.

It’s worth noting that Sesame’s refund policy is strict. It states it won’t provide a refund in the following circumstances:

• No-shows
• Requests within 24 hours of your appointment time for in-person appointments
• Requests within three hours of your appointment time for virtual appointments
• Requests to prescribe a particular medication or complete particular paperwork that is not accepted
• Surgical procedures with confirmed scheduling
• After the seven-day window for labs
• Any refund request more than 10 days after the scheduled visit

While Sesame has a strict 24-hour cancelation policy, if you make a same-day appointment by mistake and need to cancel, Sesame will refund you if you cancel within one hour of completing the purchase. It does offer a full refund should the provider be unable to see you for any reason.

Yes, Sesame is a legitimate platform. Founded in 2018, it is an established telehealth platform to connect patients with independent, licensed providers. It claims to operate under strict adherence to privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to ensure the confidentiality and security of personal medical information.

Sesame maintains transparency about its services through its publicly available Privacy Policy, Terms of Service and extensive FAQ section. Ultimately, Sesame appears to be a reputable platform where patients can connect with providers online and in person.