Tessan vs. OnMed: How Augmented Telehealth Stations Compare
- Both Tessan and OnMed connect patients to licensed doctors through a station equipped with connected medical devices.
- OnMed’s model is B2B/sponsor-funded: institutional partners pay for the station, and the visit is typically free at the point of use for the patient.
- Tessan’s US launch is pharmacy-first with transparent, publicly listed self-pay and insurance pricing.
- Both companies are solving the same underlying problem with different distribution and payment models.
Two players, a similar core idea
Both companies pair a video call with connected medical devices inside a station, letting a remote doctor conduct something closer to a real, in-person exam.
Business model
OnMed sells or places CareStations with employers, health systems, universities, government and rural health programs, payers, and biopharma partners (OnMed). Tessan places stations directly in pharmacies, open to any walk-in patient.
Where they’re placed
OnMed’s CareStation has been deployed with universities, correctional facilities, rural and government health programs, and an airport health hub with Hartford HealthCare (This Week Health; SC State). Tessan is placing its first US stations in pharmacies.
Patient payment model
OnMed does not publish consumer pricing. Visits are described as “cost-free” at the point of use, sponsor-funded (OnMed, The Village in Hartford). Tessan publishes pricing up front: $99 self-pay, $119 with insurance, $149 via Zocdoc.
Devices and exam capability
OnMed’s CareStation integrates an HD camera, a stethoscope, thermal imaging, and sensors for weight, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and temperature (OnMed CareStation Experience). Tessan uses a comparable set: digital stethoscope, otoscope, dermatoscope, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and thermometer.
How Tessan and OnMed compare
| Dimension | Tessan | OnMed |
|---|---|---|
| Business model | Direct-to-consumer, pharmacy-based | B2B / sponsor-funded |
| Where placed | Pharmacies (US launch focus) | Universities, correctional facilities, rural and government programs, airport health hub |
| Patient payment | Publicly listed pricing: $99 / $119 / $149 | Not publicly listed; typically “cost-free” to the patient |
| Devices and exam capability | Digital stethoscope, otoscope, dermatoscope, BP cuff, pulse oximeter, thermometer | HD camera, stethoscope, thermal imaging, sensors for weight, BP, heart rate, oxygen, temperature |
| Access | Open to any walk-in patient | Generally limited to the sponsoring institution’s population |
Why Tessan’s positioning is different
Tessan is built for a patient who’s already at the pharmacy, doesn’t have a sponsor covering the visit, and wants to know the price before they start: retail pharmacy placement, open walk-in access, and upfront pricing.
This is a factual comparison based on publicly available information as of July 2026. OnMed’s offering may evolve, and this page will be updated if it does.
Sources
- OnMed, Clinic-in-a-Box
- OnMed, CareStation Experience
- OnMed, CareStation at The Village in Hartford
- This Week Health, Hartford HealthCare and OnMed Launch Airport-Based Health Hub
- South Carolina State University, OnMed CareStation Opens
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Tessan and OnMed?
Distribution and payment. OnMed places its CareStations with institutional sponsors such as employers, universities, health systems, and government programs, and the visit is typically free at the point of use. Tessan places stations in retail pharmacies, open to any walk-in patient, with pricing published up front: $99 self-pay, $119 with insurance, or $149 via Zocdoc.
Is Tessan or OnMed cheaper for a patient?
It depends on access. An OnMed visit is typically free at the point of use for patients covered by a sponsoring institution, but OnMed does not publish consumer pricing and access is generally limited to the sponsor's population. A Tessan visit is open to anyone and costs $99 self-pay, $119 with insurance, or $149 via Zocdoc.
Do both Tessan and OnMed stations include a physical exam?
Yes. Both pair a live video visit with connected medical devices. Tessan stations use a digital stethoscope, otoscope, dermatoscope, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and thermometer. OnMed's CareStation integrates an HD camera, a stethoscope, thermal imaging, and sensors for vitals. In both cases the doctor works from real exam data, not just a description of symptoms.
Can anyone walk into a Tessan or OnMed station?
For Tessan, yes: stations are open to any walk-in patient at a partner pharmacy, no appointment needed. For OnMed, usually not: CareStations generally serve the population of the sponsoring institution, such as a university, employer, or health program, so access depends on where the station is placed and who it was placed for.