FAQ
Your questions about Tessan visits, answered.
How a visit works, what you can be seen for, what it costs, and how to find a station near you.
Getting seen
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
You can walk in, no appointment needed. Tessan stations are designed for immediate access: after a short guided intake, you're typically connected to a licensed physician within minutes. If you'd rather plan ahead, you can also book a visit through Zocdoc.
How fast can I see a doctor at a Tessan station?
Most Tessan consultations start within minutes, with no appointment needed. That matters in the US: the average wait to see a physician across the country's largest metro areas is 31 days, and about 23.5 days for a family physician (AMN Healthcare, 2025 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times).
Where can I find the nearest Tessan location?
Tessan is launching first in the New York City area, with more pharmacies coming online over time. Use our Find a Pharmacy locator to see the stations available near you.
The visit and the technology
What is "augmented telehealth" and how is it different from a regular video call with a doctor?
Augmented telehealth combines a live video consultation with connected medical devices: a digital stethoscope, otoscope, dermatoscope, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, thermometer, and connected scale. Instead of just talking to a doctor over video, the physician can examine you: listen to your heart and lungs, look in your ears and throat, and check your vitals in real time.
Is a Tessan consultation as thorough as an in-person doctor's visit?
For the conditions it's designed to handle, yes. The connected devices give the physician real clinical data (heart and lung sounds, ear and throat images, skin close-ups, vitals) rather than just what they can see on a screen, which is a meaningful step up from a standard video-only telehealth call. Independent research on similar connected-device exams, for example a JAMA Otolaryngology study on patient-operated digital otoscopes, has found the images and data comparable to in-person findings in most cases. That said, some things (imaging, lab work, hands-on procedures) still require in-person care, and the physician will refer you if that's what your situation needs.
Can the doctor really listen to my heart and lungs remotely?
Yes. The connected digital stethoscope transmits heart and lung sounds live to the physician during the consultation, the same way an in-person exam would.
Is my consultation with a real doctor, not an AI?
Yes. Tessan IA, Tessan's AI assistant, helps collect and structure your symptoms before the visit, but every diagnosis, prescription, and treatment decision is made by a licensed physician.
What you can be seen for
What health issues can be treated in a Tessan consultation?
Tessan can help with a wide range of common, non-emergency conditions across several categories:
- Cold, flu and respiratory symptoms (cough, congestion, sore throat, sinus pain)
- Ear, nose and throat issues (earache, ear infection, nosebleed)
- Skin conditions (rashes, insect bites, minor burns, suspicious spots, with the dermatoscope)
- Urinary and women's health (UTI symptoms, yeast infection, birth control questions)
- Sexual health (STI testing guidance and follow-up)
- Eye issues (pink eye, minor eye irritation)
- Minor pain and injury (sprains, back pain, headache)
- Digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, reflux)
- Prescription refills for many ongoing, non-controlled medications
- Mental health check-ins (anxiety and stress support, not a substitute for crisis care)
- Children's visits (many of the conditions above, for pediatric patients)
Tessan is not a substitute for emergency care. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other emergency symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
Can I get tested for an STI at a Tessan station?
Yes. STI testing is one of the most commonly booked visit reasons on Tessan's platform. The physician can discuss your symptoms or risk factors, order appropriate testing, and go over results with you confidentially, the same way an in-person visit would. If treatment is needed, the physician can prescribe it or refer you to the right specialist.
Can I renew or refill a prescription through Tessan?
Yes. Prescription refills are one of the most common reasons patients use Tessan. If your situation and the physician's evaluation support it, they can send a new prescription to your pharmacy the same way as any other visit, following standard prescribing rules. Most controlled substances still require an in-person visit or an established-patient relationship under federal telehealth prescribing rules, regardless of the platform.
Can Tessan help with anxiety or stress?
Yes, for non-crisis check-ins. Anxiety and stress are supported visit reasons on Tessan's platform, and the physician can talk through what you're experiencing, offer guidance, and refer you to further mental health support if needed. Tessan is not built for mental health emergencies: if you or someone else is in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Does Tessan treat children, and for what reasons?
Yes. Children age 2 and up can be seen at a Tessan station, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Common pediatric visit reasons include sick child visits, fevers, ear infections, and rashes. For anything requiring specialized pediatric care beyond what the connected devices and physician can assess remotely, you'll be referred to the right in-person care.
Cost and insurance
How much does a Tessan consultation cost?
$99 if you pay out of pocket (self-pay), $119 if you use your health insurance, or $149 if you book through Zocdoc. It's the same Tessan consultation, priced differently depending on how you book it.
What's the difference between the $99 self-pay price, the $119 insurance price, and the $149 Zocdoc price?
$99 for a self-pay visit, $119 when billing your insurance, or $149 when booking through Zocdoc. It's the same Tessan consultation, priced differently depending on how you book it.
Which insurance plans does Tessan accept?
Tessan accepts the following insurance plans:
- Aetna
- Anthem BCBS
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
- Traditional Medicaid
- Traditional Medicare
- Empire
- Cigna
- EmblemHealth / HIP
- Humana
- WellCare
- MagnaCare
- NYSIF (New York State Insurance Fund)
- Tricare / Humana Military
Is Tessan covered by Medicare or Medicaid?
Yes. Tessan accepts both Traditional Medicare and Traditional Medicaid, alongside major commercial insurers (Aetna, Anthem BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Humana, and others; see the full list of accepted plans above). Separately, for context: Medicare's expanded telehealth coverage flexibilities are currently extended through December 31, 2027 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, but whether a specific visit is fully covered still depends on the plan and service type.