Seeing a doctor online without insurance

What the $39 visit includes

• One clinical evaluation by secure video with a licensed clinician. Care is led by Nicholas Atudonyang, MD, a board-certified physician; you may see him or another clinician authorized for your state.
• Treatment advice and, when medically appropriate, a prescription sent to the pharmacy you choose.
• Lab or test orders, work or school notes, and a referral or in-person plan when needed.

What costs extra

• Medication, paid at your pharmacy. Ask for the cash price; generics and discount cards can lower it.
• Outside lab tests or imaging, billed by the facility that performs them.
• Later visits, each a separate evaluation.

Prescriptions, antibiotics and notes are never guaranteed. No controlled substances. Adults 18+ physically located in Texas, Oklahoma or Florida.

How a self-pay visit works

1. Check in to the virtual waiting room during clinic hours: Monday–Friday 11 AM–7 PM and Saturday noon–4 PM Central. Closed Sunday.
2. Payment of $39 at check-in, before the visit begins. BCBSTX PPO members can ask to have coverage verified first.
3. Video visit with your clinician. Wait times vary with clinician availability.
4. Checkout with your plan, any prescription and next steps.

Why a self-pay video visit can cost less

For common, non-emergency problems such as colds, sinus symptoms, uncomplicated urinary symptoms, rashes or pink eye, a flat-fee video visit avoids facility fees and travel. It is not always the right choice: some problems need a hands-on exam, a test that day or emergency care, and your clinician will tell you when that is the case.

How to compare low-cost telehealth

Some services advertise visit prices below $39. A lower price can be the right choice for some people, so compare the total cost and what you actually get:

• Membership: Is a monthly or yearly membership required on top of the visit fee, and does it renew until you cancel? Americare: no membership; $39 per visit.
• How you are seen: Is it a live video visit or a questionnaire reviewed later? Who is the clinician? Americare: live video, physician-led; you may see Dr. Atudonyang or another clinician authorized for your state.
• What is included: Are notes and forms extra? Americare: work notes, FMLA paperwork and DMV driving-clearance forms completed during your visit are included; referrals are provided when appropriate.
• Help when you are stuck: Can you reach a person? Americare: call or text 469-951-0477; the phone is answered during clinic hours.
• What happens next: Is there a plan if you need hands-on care or follow-up? Americare: in-person options in Texas and a patient portal for shared results and secure messaging where enabled.

Medication is a separate cost with any online service, so ask your pharmacy for the cash price.

If you cannot afford a visit right now

Please talk to us first. Money should never be the reason you do not reach out. If paying $39 would be a real hardship, call or text 469-951-0477 before your visit and tell us. We consider reduced-fee or no-charge help for self-pay visits case by case, based on need. It is not guaranteed, and we will also help you find other low-cost options.

A $39 visit is not the only option, and sometimes it is not the best one for your budget.

Free or sliding-scale clinics

Federally funded health centers serve everyone, even if they cannot pay, and charge on a sliding scale based on household income and size. Search for one near you with HRSA's Find a Health Center.

Local help lines

Dial 2-1-1 to reach local health, food and housing resources. In Texas, 2-1-1 Texas is also reachable at (877) 541-7905, with chat in English or Spanish.

Emergencies and ER bills

Under the federal EMTALA law, Medicare-participating hospitals that offer emergency services must screen anyone who asks for emergency care, regardless of ability to pay, and must stabilize an emergency condition or arrange an appropriate transfer. This does not mean emergency care is free; you may still receive a bill. Afterward, ask for an itemized bill and the hospital's financial assistance policy. Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy, publicize it and limit what eligible patients are charged.

Medication costs

Ask the pharmacist for the cash price and whether a generic is available. Prescription discount cards, some pharmacies' low-cost generic programs and drug-manufacturer patient assistance programs can all reduce what you pay.

A note on antibiotics

There is no safe shortcut to "free antibiotics online." Antibiotics do not work on viruses such as colds and flu, so a clinician needs to decide whether you need one.

Questions people ask about low-cost online care

How much does a telehealth visit cost without insurance?

Prices vary by service, so compare the total cost, not just the visit fee. At Americare, a self-pay video visit is $39 for one clinical evaluation. Medication, outside lab tests and later visits are separate.

Do I need a membership or subscription?

No. Americare charges per visit. There is no membership, monthly fee or account to create, and no appointment is needed during clinic hours.

Is there a cheap online doctor I can see today?

During clinic hours (Monday–Friday 11 AM–7 PM and Saturday noon–4 PM Central), you can enter Americare's virtual waiting room without an appointment and see a clinician as one becomes available. Wait times vary, and same-day care depends on clinician availability.

Can I use insurance instead?

Americare verifies BCBSTX PPO coverage before you pay. Coverage is not guaranteed for Oklahoma or Florida visits. Other insurance is not billed; those patients pay the $39 self-pay fee.

Can I get a prescription from an online visit?

Yes, when it is medically appropriate after your evaluation. Prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy you choose. Prescriptions are never guaranteed, and Americare does not prescribe controlled substances.

Can I get antibiotics online?

Only when a clinician finds they are appropriate. Antibiotics do not work on viruses such as colds and flu, and taking them when they are not needed can cause side effects without helping.

Why choose a $39 visit when some services advertise lower prices?

Compare the total cost and what is included. Some lower advertised prices require a monthly membership on top of each visit or do not include a live video visit. Americare charges $39 per visit with no membership, uses live video with a physician-led team, includes work notes and FMLA or DMV forms completed during your visit, and answers the phone during clinic hours. A lower-priced service may still be the right choice for you; medication costs are separate everywhere.

Where can I see a doctor if I cannot afford $39?

Talk to us first: call or text 469-951-0477. We consider reduced-fee or no-charge help for self-pay visits case by case, based on need, though it is not guaranteed. Federally funded health centers serve everyone, even if they cannot pay, and charge on a sliding scale based on household income and size. Use HRSA's Find a Health Center tool, or dial 2-1-1 to reach local help lines.

Can I go to the emergency room with no money or insurance?

Yes. Under the federal EMTALA law, Medicare-participating hospitals that offer emergency services must give a medical screening exam to anyone who asks for emergency care, regardless of ability to pay, and must stabilize an emergency condition or arrange an appropriate transfer. This does not mean emergency care is free; you may still receive a bill. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

How do I lower a hospital bill I already have?

Ask the hospital for its financial assistance policy and an itemized bill. Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy, publicize it, and limit what eligible patients are charged. You can apply even after you receive the bill.

How can I afford my medication without insurance?

Ask the pharmacist for the cash price and whether a generic is available. Prescription discount cards and some pharmacies' low-cost generic programs can lower prices, and drug manufacturers run patient assistance programs for some brand-name medicines.

What if I only need a refill of a medication I already take?

Americare runs a separate MedRefillCare service for evaluations of established, non-controlled medications. The walk-in clinic is for new symptoms and ongoing care that needs a visit.

Reviewed by Nicholas Atudonyang, MD · October 16, 2026. This guide is educational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. Program rules and prices can change; check each source.

Ready for a $39 virtual visit?

Outside scheduled clinic hours. Text VISIT for nonurgent assistance; a reply is not immediate.

Questions before you start? Call 469-951-0477. Please do not send medical details by ordinary text message.