Calculate how much you save by using telemedicine visits instead of in-person doctor visits, urgent care, or emergency room visits.
Telemedicine has transformed routine healthcare access, offering convenient and affordable virtual visits typically costing $0–$75 compared to $100–$300+ for in-person doctor visits, $150–$500 for urgent care, and $500–$3,000+ for emergency room visits.
Many insurance plans now cover telemedicine with $0–25 copays, and several standalone telehealth services offer visits for $50–75 without insurance. For non-emergency conditions like cold/flu, allergies, skin issues, UTIs, and prescription refills, telemedicine provides equivalent care at a fraction of the cost.
This calculator estimates your annual savings from substituting telemedicine for applicable in-person visits. These are educational estimates only — actual costs depend on your insurance and providers. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process. This tool handles all the complex arithmetic so you can focus on interpreting results and making informed decisions based on accurate data.
Most people don't realize how much they can save by shifting appropriate visits to telemedicine. This calculator quantifies the savings including both direct costs and indirect savings like travel and time off work. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions. Manual calculations are error-prone and time-consuming; this tool delivers verified results in seconds so you can focus on strategy.
In-Person Cost per Visit = Copay + Travel Cost + Time Off Value Telemedicine Cost per Visit = Telemedicine Copay Savings per Visit = In-Person Cost − Telemedicine Cost Annual Savings = Savings per Visit × Visits Shifted to Telemedicine
Result: Annual savings: $480 | $80 per visit
In-person: $50 copay + $15 travel + $30 time value = $95 per visit. Telemedicine: $15 copay. Savings: $80 per visit × 6 visits = $480 annually. Plus the convenience of no waiting room, no commute, and flexible scheduling.
An in-person doctor visit costs more than just the copay. Factor in: round-trip travel (gas, parking, or ride-share), time off work or lost productivity (1–3 hours), childcare if needed, and waiting room exposure to other sick patients. The true all-in cost of a routine visit can be $100–$200+ even with insurance.
Adopt a "telehealth first" approach: when a health issue arises, ask yourself if it could be handled virtually. If yes, schedule a telemedicine visit. If the provider determines you need in-person care, they'll refer you. This triage approach saves money and time without compromising care quality.
Many employers now offer free or low-cost telemedicine through services like Teladoc, MDLive, or Amwell. These benefits are often underutilized — fewer than 20% of employees use available telehealth benefits. Check with HR about your company's telehealth offerings.
Common telemedicine conditions include: cold, flu, and COVID symptoms; allergies and sinus infections; UTIs and yeast infections; skin rashes and acne; eye infections (pink eye); medication refills; mental health counseling; minor injuries; digestive issues; and chronic condition management. Generally, 30–40% of primary care visits can be handled virtually.
With insurance: $0–25 copay (many plans now cover virtual visits at $0). Without insurance: $50–75 through direct-to-consumer services (GoodRx Care, Sesame, PlushCare). Through your employer's telehealth benefit: often $0. Compared to $50–200+ for in-person visits, the savings are substantial.
For appropriate conditions, studies show telemedicine delivers equivalent outcomes to in-person care. Patient satisfaction is generally high, and antibiotic prescribing rates are similar. The key is using telemedicine for suitable conditions and recognizing when an in-person visit or ER is necessary.
Yes, telemedicine doctors can prescribe most non-controlled medications. They can send prescriptions electronically to your preferred pharmacy. Controlled substances (like certain pain medications and ADHD medications) have stricter rules — some states require an initial in-person visit.
Urgent care visits cost $150–$500 (with or without insurance). Many conditions treated at urgent care — UTIs, sinus infections, minor rashes, cold/flu — can be handled via telemedicine for $0–75. Unless you need labs, X-rays, or stitches, telemedicine should be your first call.
Most commercial insurance plans now cover telemedicine, many with $0 copay. Medicare covers telehealth with the same cost-sharing as in-person visits. Medicaid coverage varies by state but has expanded significantly. Check your plan's telemedicine benefits — they may be better than you think.