Telehealth services that provide virtual doctor visits have become increasingly popular in recent years. Two of the biggest names in this growing industry are MDLive and Teladoc. But how exactly do these two telehealth giants compare?
This comprehensive guide examines the key features, pros, cons, and other important factors to consider when choosing between MDLive and Teladoc for your healthcare needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | MDLive | Teladoc |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2002 |
| Physician Network Size | Approximately 10,000 physicians | Over 50,000 physicians |
| Appointment Wait Times | 15-60 minutes average | Less than 10 minutes average |
| Consultation Length | 15-20 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Insurance Accepted | 1,500+ plans including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, many Blues plans | Most major insurance plans plus Medicare Advantage |
| Pricing Without Insurance | $49-$79 per visit | $75-$300 per visit |
| Prescriptions | Yes, sent electronically | Yes, sent electronically |
| Specialties | Primary care, pediatrics, dermatology, mental health, nutrition, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, dentistry | Primary care, dermatology, mental health |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Video Visits | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Visits | Yes | Yes |
| Accessibility | 24/7 access to doctors | 24/7 access to doctors |
Overview of MDLive
Founded in 2006, MDLive is one of the earlier telehealth providers in the market. They offer 24/7 access to board-certified doctors across all 50 states who can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications for a wide range of non-emergency medical conditions. Some of the top specialties covered by MDLive doctors include primary care, pediatrics, mental health, dermatology, and more.
MDLive allows patients to connect with doctors via online video chat, phone call, or MDLive’s proprietary app. They accept many major commercial insurance plans and also offer affordable out-of-pocket payment options. Some key features of MDLive include:
- 24/7 access to doctors within minutes for non-emergency issues
- Consultations available via app, online video, or phone
- Accepts major insurance plans like BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare
- Board-certified doctors across all specialties
- Prescriptions sent to your preferred pharmacy
- Special virtual Physical Therapy and Psychiatry programs
Overview of Teladoc
Founded in 2002, Teladoc Health is one of MDLive’s biggest competitors in the telehealth space. Teladoc has a network of over 50,000 board-certified primary care doctors, specialists, and mental health professionals. They offer telehealth visits for general medical, dermatology, counseling, psychiatry, and more.
Key features of Teladoc include:
- 24/7 access to doctors for non-emergency medical issues
- Real-time video or phone visits with doctors
- Accepts major insurance plans like Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Premera Blue Cross
- Prescriptions sent electronically to pharmacies
- Access to doctors in all 50 states
- Specialized services like dermatology, mental health, and chronic care
Comparing Pros And Cons
So how exactly do these two telehealth giants stack up against each other? Here is a detailed breakdown of the main pros and cons of using MDLive Vs. Teladoc.
MDLive Pros:
- Wider range of doctor specialties – offers veterinary care, dentistry, nutritionists, and more specialty services in addition to regular primary care
- Slightly longer doctor consultations (average 15-20 mins)
- Good option for virtual physical therapy and psychiatry care
- Affordable out-of-pocket pricing options as low as $49-$79 per visit
MDLive Cons:
- Slightly smaller provider network than Teladoc
- Mixed reviews of doctor quality compared to top competitors
- Website/app functionality not as smooth as some competitors
- Less name recognition than Teladoc
Teladoc Pros:
- Larger provider network with over 50,000 doctors nationwide
- Accepts Medicare Advantage plans (MDLive does not)
- Very fast access to doctors – most see patients in under 10 mins
- High doctor quality ratings in surveys and reviews
- Brand name recognition from being an early telehealth provider
Teladoc Cons:
- Shorter doctor visits (average 10 mins)
- No access to specialties like veterinarians, dentists, nutritionists, etc.
- Out-of-pocket visits can be expensive ($75-$300 range)
- Some complaints about frustrating app/website experiences
Also Read: Choose Between Doctor On Demand And MDLIVE.
Choosing The Right Provider For You
With very similar pricing structures and core functionality, choosing between MDLive and Teladoc ultimately comes down to your specific healthcare needs and preferences.
Here are some key questions to consider when deciding which platform may be a better fit:
- Do you already have a PCP? If yes, Teladoc may be a better choice since you can continue solely seeing your regular doctor and use Teladoc for quick urgent care visits. MDLive encourages establishing care with their own network of PCPs.
- Do you want access to specialty care services? MDLive has a wider array of specialties outside primary care like veterinary medicine, nutrition, dentistry, and dermatology. Go with MDLive if you want telehealth access for healthcare beyond typical doctor visits.
- Is mental health treatment a priority? Both offer mental health services, but MDLive has a more developed psychiatric and counseling program. If mental health is a major concern, MDLive may be the better choice.
- Do you need physical therapy? MDLive has specialized virtual physical therapy programs while Teladoc does not. If you are rehabbing from an injury or surgery, MDLive has clear advantages.
- Is fast access to doctors essential? Teladoc holds a clear edge in terms of speed of doctor access with appointments in under 10 minutes. Go Teladoc if you prioritize rapid access during urgent situations.
- Do you have Medicare Advantage? Teladoc accepts Medicare Advantage while MDLive does not, making Teladoc the obvious choice if this is your insurance coverage.
Doing a thorough evaluation of your specific healthcare situation is the best way to determine if MDLive or Teladoc is the right telehealth fit for you.
Also watch the video of MDLive!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Teladoc is considered better than MDLive in terms of size of physician network, average speed of doctor access, and acceptance among major insurance plans. However, MDLive offers greater access to specialty services like mental health, veterinary medicine, nutrition, and physical therapy.
For fast general medical visits, Teladoc usually wins. But MDLive provides more options for specialty care.
MDLive is Teladoc’s biggest competitor in the telehealth industry. Both providers offer 24/7 access to doctors through phone, video, or app with the ability to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. Other competitors like Doctor on Demand and American Well are smaller players in the telehealth space.
Yes, MDLive is one of the leading telehealth providers with high-quality doctors, affordable pricing, and a solid platform. They offer greater specialty care services than competitors.
The main complaints with MDLive are slightly longer wait times for appointments and smaller doctor network compared to Teladoc. But overall they provide a strong telehealth option.
As of 2022, Teladoc Health is the largest telehealth provider in the US based on membership and number of physicians. Teladoc has over 50,000 doctors covering all 50 states plus an expansive insurance network with major plans.
Competitors like MDLive and American Well have strong presences but smaller doctor networks than Teladoc at this time.
Also Read: Choose Between InsideTracker And 23andMe DNA Analysis Service.
Final Verdict
In the end, while these two telehealth giants have similarities in core functionality, their differences in terms of specialties, provider network size, and pricing do set them apart.
Teladoc remains the leader in terms of brand reputation, doctor access speed, and insurance coverage. The company’s huge physician network andappy experience also rate very positively. Teladoc is a great choice for no-frills, fast general medical care.
MDLive differentiates itself through its wide range of specialty services you can’t find many other places like psychiatric help, virtual physical therapy, veterinary medicine, nutritionists and more. They also offer slightly longer appointment times. MDLive makes sense for consumers who want expanded specialty care options from a telehealth provider.
Ultimately, it pays to take a close look at your own health needs and preferences to decide if MDLive or Teladoc is the right selection for your telehealth requirements. Both platforms allow you to conveniently access quality care from licensed doctors wherever you are. With telehealth usage on the rise, you can’t go wrong choosing either of these industry leaders for your on-demand healthcare needs.
