MDLIVE is a versatile option for individuals seeking general medical and mental health services with 24/7 urgent care availability and varied pricing based on service and insurance. Cerebral is better suited for those specifically seeking mental health services through subscription-based plans, with the majority of patients being offered an appointment within five days.
| Attribute | MDLIVE General Medical | Cerebral Mental Health Services |
|---|---|---|
| Service Type | General Medical (Urgent Care, Primary Care, Dermatology) and Mental Health (Therapy, Psychiatry) | Mental Health |
| Physician/Therapist Qualifications and Credentials | U.S. Board Certified physicians and licensed therapists. Credentialed using NCQA and URAC guidelines. Physicians have an average of 15+ years of experience. | Licensed therapists, board-certified psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners |
| Appointment Scheduling Availability | Available 24/7, 365 days a year for urgent care. Scheduled appointments are required for behavioral care visits. Evening and weekend appointments are typically available. | Online scheduling, over 90% of patients offered an appointment within five days |
| Communication Methods | Video, phone, and secure messaging via mobile app or website. | Video and phone sessions, messaging with care team between live sessions |
| Prescription Policy | Can prescribe non-narcotic medications. They do not prescribe DEA-controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs, or certain other drugs that may be harmful due to abuse potential. A 30-day supply is the maximum prescription length. | Prescribes a variety of medications but no longer offers controlled substances (stimulants and benzodiazepines) to new clients. Medications delivered by mail or filled at a local pharmacy. |
| Insurance Coverage and Accepted Plans | Accepts many major insurance plans, including Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna. Some employers include MDLIVE as part of their group benefits. | Accepts certain insurance plans from companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum. Assists with out-of-network benefits and accepts FSA and HSA |
| Cost per Consultation/Session | Urgent Care: $0 to $85, Primary Care: As low as $0 with select insurance, Dermatology: $0 to $95, Mental Health Therapy: $0 to $179 for initial session and $140 for follow-up, depending on insurance, Mental Health Psychiatry: $0 to $299 for initial session and $159 for follow-up, depending on insurance. | Subscription plans range from $95 to $365 monthly without insurance. With in-network insurance, plans can cost around $30 per month (doesn't cover medication costs or copays). Medication costs are billed separately, starting at $8. Medication Plan: $95 monthly. Therapy Plan: $295 monthly. Medication + Therapy Plan: $365 monthly. Couples Therapy: $325 monthly. |
| Specialty Services Offered | Urgent Care, Primary Care, Dermatology, Therapy, and Psychiatry. | Anxiety, depression, insomnia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, postpartum depression and trauma |
| User Interface and Platform Accessibility | Accessible via mobile app (iOS and Android) and website. | Accessible via mobile app and website |
| Data Privacy and Security Measures | HIPAA compliant. | Aims to comply with HIPAA requirements, uses security protocols to protect patient data |
| Customer Support Availability and Responsiveness | Available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-400-MDLIVE (6354). | Contact via email: support@cerebral.com. Text or call: 415-403-2156. Support team availability: 6 am – 6 pm PT Monday – Friday; 7 am – 4 pm PT Saturday and Sunday. |
| Geographic Availability | Available anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico. Initial telemedicine consultation must be completed via secure video in Arkansas and Idaho. | Available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington D.C. Therapists and prescribers can only provide care to clients residing in the state where they are licensed. |