In a Nutshell
pros
- 24-hour access to board-certified physicians
- Low-cost monthly membership
- Specialists across a wide range of medical disciplines
cons
- Physicians cannot write prescriptions online
- Cannot request the same doctor each time
Ask A Doctor at a Glance
How Can I Get Treatment?: Live chat
Urgent Care Fee: N/A
Accepted Insurance: None
Medications Prescribed: None
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Follow up Consultations: Not available
How Does Ask A Doctor Work?
Ask A Doctor is a live chat service that enables users to ask questions and have them answered by board-certified physicians.
To get started, simply type your question or health issue into the chat box. Depending on your question, a chatbot may ask some follow-up questions about your age, gender, health status, and past medical issues before you’re connected with a doctor. Ask A Doctor has both general practice physicians and specialists available, so you’re automatically matched with a doctor who can best answer your question.
One of the best things about Ask A Doctor is that you never need to make an appointment ahead of time. Typically, a doctor will review and answer your question in under 30 minutes. You can sign up to receive text or email alerts if you don’t want to wait around for a response. And if you have follow-up questions, they’ll be reviewed by the same physician.
What Does Ask A Doctor Treat?
Ask A Doctor is designed to handle as wide a range of medical issues as possible. General medical questions can be answered by any physician on the platform. Alternatively, you can connect with a specialist if you have a niche question or want a second opinion on a diagnosis.
Some of the areas in which Ask A Doctor has specialists include:
- Mental health
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Orthopedics
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Ophthalmology
- Urology
- Cardiology
One thing to bear in mind is that physicians on Ask A Doctor cannot issue prescriptions. Depending on your situation, they may be able to recommend home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, or follow-up doctors’ visits.
How Much Does Ask A Doctor Cost?
Ask A Doctor requires a subscription that costs $46 per month. You can try out the service for 7 days for just $1 and cancel at any time.
With your subscription, you get 24/7 access to Ask A Doctor’s pool of physician experts and the ability to ask an unlimited number of questions. There are no extra fees for complex questions or follow-ups.
One big perk of Ask A Doctor is that your subscription also includes access to JustAnswer.com. This site allows you to pose questions to more than 12,000 experts, including lawyers, veterinarians, dentists, tech support specialists, electricians, plumbers, and more.
Does Ask A Doctor Take Insurance?
Ask A Doctor does not accept any health insurance plans at this time. Depending on your coverage, you may be able to request reimbursement for your Ask A Doctor subscription from your insurance provider.
What Do People Say About Ask A Doctor?
“Good app. I asked a question and got an answer in under 40 minutes. It saved me about $200 if I were to have gone to the hospital and just asked a question. I would use it again.” - Fred F.
“I absolutely love using this app. I have received lots of helpful advice that doesn't require me to go to urgent care unless necessary. This app is great for general questions and for helpful medical advice.” - Katie D.
“I think this app is fantastic. I needed specialist cardiologist advice, and I was able to get an answer immediately. If you have to wait weeks for an appointment or your GP disregards your concern, go here and ask a specialist in the field of concern the question! Absolutely brilliant app!” - Florence L.
FAQs
Does Ask A Doctor prescribe medicine?
No, Ask A Doctor does not prescribe medications. However, doctors on the platform can recommend over-the-counter or at-home treatments or suggest ways to follow up on your diagnosis.
Can Ask A Doctor to give me a doctor's note?
Doctors at Ask A Doctor cannot offer a doctor’s note.
Do I need a subscription for Ask A Doctor?
Ask A Doctor requires a subscription that costs $46 per month. With a subscription, you can ask an unlimited number of questions and get 24/7 access to board-certified physicians. You can try out the service for 7 days for just $1.
What hours does Ask A Doctor have appointments available?
Physicians on Ask A Doctor are available 24/7. There’s no appointment needed—just type in your question, and you can expect a response within 30 minutes.
Bottom Line
Ask A Doctor is an online service whereby you can chat with a board-certified physician 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No appointment is necessary, and questions are typically answered within 30 minutes. Ask A Doctor’s pool of experts includes specialists in fields such as cardiology, pediatrics, mental health, and more, so you can get a clear diagnosis for your issue or request a second opinion.
