How Much Does Telehealth Cost in 2026? A Full Breakdown
- A typical ER visit costs over $1,300 (often $2,000+). Urgent care averages around $180. App-based telehealth varies by provider; Teladoc lists $89 self-pay.
- A Tessan consultation costs $99 self-pay, $119 with insurance, or $149 via Zocdoc, and includes a physical exam with connected devices, not just a video call.
- Telehealth is usually FSA-eligible and HSA-eligible (subject to your deductible on newer plans). See our HSA/FSA guide.
- Medicare, Medicaid, and 14 major private insurers are accepted. See the insurance FAQ for the full list.
What telehealth actually costs in the US in 2026
When something doesn’t feel right, many Americans default to urgent care or the ER, not because it’s the best option, but because it’s available now. That convenience has a price: the average ER visit costs over $1,300, and can exceed $2,000 once tests and treatment are added, while urgent care averages around $180 for a comparable issue (Strategic Insurance; UnitedHealthcare).
Telehealth sits well below both. App-based telehealth pricing varies by provider. Teladoc, for example, lists its 24/7 urgent care self-pay rate at $89, as of July 2026 (Teladoc Health). What a video-only visit can’t include is a physical exam. That’s where a Tessan station differs.
Cost comparison at a glance
| Care option | Typical cost | Wait / appointment needed |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency room | $1,300+ (often $2,000+) | Walk-in, but triage-based waits can be long |
| Urgent care | ~$180 | Walk-in, variable wait depending on location |
| App-based (e.g. Teladoc) | $89 self-pay | On-demand, no appointment |
| Tessan, self-pay | $99 | Walk-in, no appointment |
| Tessan, with insurance | $119 | Walk-in, no appointment |
Costs are national averages. Individual bills vary by state, provider, insurance plan, and treatment. Tessan visits booked via Zocdoc are $149.
Why the cost gap is so large
ERs are staffed and equipped for life-threatening emergencies, and that infrastructure gets billed into every visit, even a minor one. Urgent care clinics carry less overhead but still maintain a physical facility and in-person staff. A Tessan station delivers a real exam through connected devices without the fixed costs of a full clinical facility, which is reflected in the price.
The three ways to pay at Tessan
However you book it, a Tessan consultation gives you the same thing: a licensed doctor, connected medical devices, and a walk-in visit. What changes is how you pay and how you book.
| Booking method | Price | Best for | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-pay | $99 | Visits without filing an insurance claim | A payment card |
| Insurance | $119 | Visits billed to your health plan | Insurance card and ID |
| Zocdoc | $149 | Booking alongside your other Zocdoc appointments | A Zocdoc account |
Self-pay ($99): pay by card directly at the station, no claim filed, walk in or reserve a slot with Tessan.
Insurance ($119): Tessan submits the claim to your health plan on your behalf. Bring your insurance card and ID to the station.
Zocdoc ($149): book your Tessan visit from within the Zocdoc app or site, alongside your other healthcare appointments, and pay through your booking.
A worked example: a minor urinary tract infection
- At the ER: registration, triage, a doctor visit, and a basic urinalysis could easily land in the $1,300 to $2,000+ range.
- At urgent care: close to the ~$180 national average.
- At a Tessan station: a self-pay visit is $99.
That’s a potential difference of roughly $1,200 or more between the ER and a Tessan visit. Illustrative example based on published national averages, not a real patient case.
What the price actually includes
Every Tessan visit includes a licensed doctor and a real-time physical exam through the station’s connected medical devices: digital stethoscope, otoscope, dermatoscope, blood pressure cuff, and more. You leave with a printed visit summary and, when appropriate, a prescription. The difference in price reflects the setting and infrastructure, not the thoroughness of the visit.
Using your HSA or FSA
Telehealth visits are FSA-eligible, and HSA-eligible for HSA-qualified plans, though since 2022 those plans apply the visit to your deductible like other care (IRS Publication 969). You can typically pay the $99, $119, or $149 rate with an HSA or FSA card at the station. For reimbursement mechanics, account-type rules, and what records to keep, see our full HSA/FSA eligibility guide.
Insurance accepted
Tessan accepts Medicare and Medicaid, along with 14 major private insurers. See the insurance FAQ for the full list.
Where cost savings have limits
Some conditions genuinely require the equipment, imaging, or specialists that only an ER or urgent care facility can provide. The savings case applies specifically to common, non-emergency issues. For help deciding which option fits your symptoms rather than what it costs, see the kiosk vs. urgent care vs. ER guide.
The bottom line
For non-emergency issues, a Tessan visit is designed to cost a fraction of an ER trip and less than many urgent care visits. It skips the multi-week wait for a regular appointment, and it doesn’t give up the physical exam that a video-only call leaves out.
Pricing and insurance participation shown here are current as of July 2026. Confirm your specific coverage with your insurance plan.
Sources
- Strategic Insurance, ER, Urgent Care, or Virtual Visit? Where to Go and What It’ll Cost You
- UnitedHealthcare, ER vs. Urgent Care vs. Virtual Visits
- Teladoc Health, Care Without Insurance (self-pay pricing)
- IRS Publication 969, HSAs and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans
Frequently asked questions
Is telehealth cheaper than urgent care?
Usually, yes. Urgent care averages around $180 per visit nationally. App-based telehealth rates vary by provider (Teladoc lists $89 self-pay), and a Tessan station visit is $99 self-pay. For comparable, non-emergency issues, telehealth is most often the lower bill.
How much does telehealth cost without insurance?
App-based services set their own rates; Teladoc, for example, lists $89 for a 24/7 urgent care visit without insurance. At a Tessan station, a self-pay visit is a flat $99, including a physical exam with connected medical devices.
Does insurance cover telehealth visits?
Often, yes. Tessan itself bills insured visits at $119 and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and 14 major private insurers. See the insurance FAQ for the full list.
Can I pay for a telehealth visit with my HSA or FSA?
Generally, yes. Telehealth visits are FSA-eligible and HSA-eligible, with deductible rules that depend on your plan year. Our HSA/FSA guide walks through the details.
What is included in the price of a Tessan visit?
Every visit includes a licensed doctor over secure video, a real-time physical exam through the station's connected devices, a printed visit summary, and a prescription when appropriate. The price is the same whatever the visit uncovers.