In-Person vs. Online Prescription Fulfillment

In recent years, many people have turned to telehealth services when seeking medical care. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased the number of telehealth appointments being offered and booked, as both patients and providers wished to reduce the risk of viral spread and safeguard public health. As a result, patients seeking care or needing prescriptions for medications can now choose between online and in-person appointments based on what best suits them and their medical needs. 

Telehealth appointments, like those offered by PlushCare, are typically conducted via phone or video chat. Online healthcare services therefore offer greater flexibility to patients who need to see a doctor but who also have tight schedules, long commutes, sensitive immune systems, or potentially contagious illnesses. While most states require that a medical practitioner conduct a physical examination of a patient before prescribing medication, this examination—and the writing of any necessary prescriptions—can often be done online.¹ Depending on where you live and the type of medication you require, you may be able to get prescriptions for new or existing medications via telehealth.  

Before booking any appointment, however, it is important to understand the difference between the online and in-person care and prescription fulfillment so that you can make the best choice for you, your health, and your finances. 

If you go to an in-person doctor’s office, be it at a clinic, hospital system, or private practice, your physician can prescribe any medication they deem suitable for you, your medical history, and your treatment needs. While no medical professional can guarantee any treatment plan, including specific medications, in-person doctors are permitted by federal law to prescribe controlled substances. Online doctors, on the other hand, have much less flexibility in this area and can only prescribe non-controlled substances. 

One of the biggest differences between online and in-person prescription fulfillment is that most telehealth doctors cannot prescribe controlled substances. This includes PlushCare doctors, who by federal law are prohibited from prescribing controlled medications. At PlushCare, some of the typical medications that our board-certified doctors can and do prescribe online are antibiotics, anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications, birth control, and hypertension prescriptions. While telehealth doctors like ours at PlushCare can prescribe these and other medications for both new or existing prescriptions, your doctor will decide what treatment option is best for you—prescription or otherwise—based on your virtual visit and their medical judgment. Prescription medications for complex diseases or those that require close monitoring, like HIV medications, immunosuppressives for autoimmune disease, or others, may not be safe for long-term management over telehealth.  

Controlled substances are medications that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies as having a high potential for abuse, misuse, or addiction.² When misused, controlled substances are associated with serious side effects or even death, which is why they are so highly regulated. Common controlled substances include pain medications and narcotics, such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Methadone; sleep medications, including Ambien; ADHD medications, like Adderall and Ritalin; and anxiety medications, such as Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin.  

If you think you need a prescription or refill for a controlled substance, you should make an in-person appointment with your primary care doctor to inquire about obtaining such a prescription. If you are interested in speaking to an online physician at PlushCare, but you are not sure if your medication is a controlled substance or not, feel free to contact us by phone at (800) 221-5140 or via email at info@plushcare.com. 

Recent data indicate that online appointments are on average less expensive than in-person ones, with telehealth saving some patients over $100 per visit.³ The main reason for this cost difference is the financial overhead associated with having a brick-and-mortar office, including staff, sanitation, and the cost of renting, or owning the building. To remain operational, the hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office must pass some of these fees onto the patient. Meanwhile, online appointments require fewer expenses overall, so patients often end up saving money. 

When using in-person or telehealth services, it is important to thoroughly read about your insurance plan and what it covers prior to booking an appointment. PlushCare accepts most insurance, but you are not required to have coverage in order to see a doctor or obtain prescriptions. For both telehealth and in-person prescriptions, if you do not use insurance, you must pay out of pocket for the visit as well as any medication your doctor prescribes.  

To save you money on prescriptions, PlushCare offers a Prescription Discount Card in partnership with SingleCare, which can save you up to 80% on costs associated with medications. 

Just like when you go to an in-person doctor’s office, if a telehealth physician like ours at PlushCare determines that a prescription is a suitable option for you, they will electronically send the prescription to a pharmacy of your choosing. Depending on the prescription, you can also refill your prescription online when you run out after both in-person and telehealth visits. PlushCare’s board-certified physicians can typically prescribe refills of medications up to 90 days (3 months) of the initial prescription date, regardless of whether you got the prescription online from PlushCare or from your in-person provider.  

You may need to get lab work done to obtain refills of some medications. If you chose to see your doctor online, such as through PlushCare, you would need to make an appointment with and travel to a physical lab. Many in-person doctor’s offices, meanwhile, have onsite lab facilities where you can get tests done, many times during your appointment. 

If you have run out of refills, you will need to book another visit with your doctor to discuss getting another prescription. Depending once again on the medication you need, this visit can be in-person or virtual. Regardless of the type of visit you choose, however, there is no guarantee that your doctor will prescribe any specific medication, even if you have taken it in the past. At PlushCare, our licensed doctors will work with you to discuss your medical history and the most appropriate treatment option for you. 

If you book an appointment with PlushCare and our board-certified doctors cannot provide care—for instance, because you need to see an in-person physician instead—PlushCare will offer you a full refund for your visit. 

If you would like to get started with PlushCare, you can book an appointment online to discuss your health. Appointments usually last around 15 minutes, and you can take them from work, school, or any other location so long as you have access to a smartphone or computer.