Melanie MoralesVirtual consultations with doctors are not entirely new. While they have been used as an option for years, its popularity has grown in recent years.
In the event that you need to see a doctor, it’s good to know that telemedicine is an option you can use. You can get a prescription without ever needing to leave your home.
If you’re in need of a consultation, here are some of the best telehealth services in Edmonton. Before checking out the different doctors available, let’s take a look at how much these consultations usually cost.
How Much Does a Virtual Consultation Cost in Edmonton?
Although a virtual consultation with a doctor may be more convenient, it actually does not mean that they are cheaper than an in-person check-up. But if you’re someone who doesn’t have too much free time available, the price of a virtual consultation may not be an issue.
At the end of the day, you have to assess whether or not opting for an online consultation is the better choice. And in such cases, the price is subject to that.
If you are wondering how much telemedicine consultations cost in Edmonton, the cost typically ranges on a number of factors. For one thing, if the telehealth provider operates in certain provinces, the consultation would usually be free.
But there are some operators who offer the best telehealth services in Edmonton on their apps with a fee. You may expect to spend up to $99 to get a consultation from one of these doctors.
These third-party operators run legal businesses. And they see to it that they operate within the Canada Health Act.
This way, you get a guarantee that they have been approved by the law to continue providing virtual services for patients.
The Best Telehealth Services in Edmonton
Now that you have an idea how much online consultations cost, you can start looking for a doctor that can help you. Take a look at these third-party operators and look for a doctor that specializes in a particular field.
The next step you need is to book an appointment with your chosen doctor.
1. GOeVisit
| PRODUCTS | Acne, Birth Control, Bladder Infection, Burn or Sunburn, Cold, Flu, Allergy, Constipation, Ear Pain, Erectile Dysfunction, Eye Pain, Eye Bump, GERD, Headache, Heartburn or Acid Reflux, Mastitis, Mouth Sores, Rashes and Other Skin Conditions, Sexually Transmitted Infection, Sinus Pain or Pressure, Sore Throat, Yeast Infection |
| WEBSITE | https://goevisit.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1199 W Pender St #680, Vancouver, BC V6E 2R1 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: 1-866-318-4748 |
| OPERATING HOURS | 6am – 10pm PST |
Since 2016, GOeVisit has served its customers in Canada by giving them access to virtual health consultations. The company makes the service available via its GOeVisit app that can be downloaded on iOS or Android devices.
Once you download the app, you will have to complete a questionnaire that will diagnose your condition based on your symptoms. A representative from the company will then give you a call to set you up with an appointment with your doctor.
A physician will then phone you and assess your condition before giving you a prescription. All of this is done within 10 minutes.
As a patient, you have a choice whether you prefer to pay-as-you-go or a subscription option. GOeVisit also has options available for individuals and families.
If you opt for an individual subscription, you will need to pay $10 per month for the entire year. But you can save money if you pay annually, which costs only $99.95.
Meanwhile, if you are getting a family subscription, the rate will be $15 per month or $149.95 annually. GOeVisit has a $49.95 fee for every medical visit received if you cancel your subscription before it is fully paid.
The pay-as-you-go option charges a flat $49.95 fee per visit to both Canadian residents and families. International visitors are also charged the same rate.
The best option, of course, is to get an annual subscription, especially if you have a family. With your subscription, you can enjoy unlimited consultations with their doctors.
For safety, they do not accept patients under the age of two.
As of this writing, GOeVisit consultations are not covered under the provincial health plans. They are simply a member program that charges a nominal fee for providing convenient and fast healthcare services.
The app says they can provide care to over 450 minor illnesses, some of which include acne, sunburn, GERD, cold, allergy, sore throat, and many more.
Pros
- Credit card payments are accepted
- Unlimited consultations available
- Mobile app available
- Flexible subscription plans
Cons
- Patients below two years old are not accepted
- GOeVisit does not prescribe controlled medications
Customer Reviews
These are just some of the reviews we found about GOeVisit:
“Thank you so much for helping me on a long weekend where my medical center options are quite limited and nearly nonexistent. Despite a previous review, Amanda was amazing and absolutely went out of her way to stay in contact with me during my “visit”. I’m now on my way to recovery which seemed out of reach only six hours ago. Huge, huge thanks.” – Dinosaur Tales
“I’m new to the idea of virtual health, but I checked out GOeVisit with symptoms of a cold. I received a call back from a really pleasant nurse practitioner who had the time to go through my symptoms and talk about a treatment plan – normally you sit for two hours in a waitroom to see a doctor for two minutes to be told it’s just a virus. I really felt that GOeVisit listened to me. I hope not to get sick but I’ll be back if I do.” – Matthew H.
2. TELUS Health MyCare
| PRODUCTS | Family Practice, Dietitians, Mental Health Consultations |
| WEBSITE | https://www.telus.com/en/personal-health/my-care?linktype=ge-meganav |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: 1-855-577-8838 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mondays to Fridays: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM Saturdays to Sundays: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
Just a few months ago, Babylon Health Canada Inc. was acquired by TELUS. Ever since then, TELUS rebranded the company into TELUS Health MyCare, which basically continues the same services that the previous customers of Babylon Health Canada Inc. loves.
The former has been operating for 10 years already prior to its acquisition. They have been providing digital healthcare solutions for physicians, pharmacists, and allied health providers.
One of the benefits of using TELUS Health MyCare’s clinic services is that you will not be charged if you’re entitled to provincial healthcare coverage in Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC, and Ontario.
You will need to pay for services that are not covered by your provincial health insurance plan. If you don’t have a valid Provincial Healthcard Number, you will need to pay $70 per doctor consultation.
In order to get healthcare service from TELUS Health MyCare, you will need to enter your Provincial Healthcard Number in the app. After that, you will need to take the Symptom Checker to get an assessment of your medical symptoms.
Once you’re done with the Symptom Checker, you will be scheduled for an appointment with a doctor for further analysis. The doctors under TELUS Health MyCare can see patients for common health concerns, such as a cold and flu, joint pain, allergies, and many others.
In some cases, you may be called to come into the clinic for an in-person consultation. They also set in-person consultations for controlled or restricted medications, vaccinations, infant check-ups, and other conditions.
If you require your consultation to be done in another language, you can be booked with a suitable doctor. Some of their doctors can speak French, Mandarin, Persian (Farsi), Spanish, Punjabi, and more.
Pros
- Free consultations covered by provincial health insurance plan
- Accepts Visa, MasterCard debit or credit cards, and American Express credit cards
- Multilingual doctors are available
- Mobile app available
Cons
- Pricing information is not available on website
- Doctors cannot issue a sick note
- Cannot receive consultation while travelling outside of Canada
Customer Reviews
The reviews that people left behind for TELUS Health MyCare include the following:
“I use this almost exclusively now. It’s so easy and the doctors are always so friendly! No more wasting time in the waiting room or waiting weeks to see my doc. Unless I need a physical visit, I won’t use anything else. Super well done. Can’t say enough about it.”
“I have been without a doctor for quite a while now, and was very concerned about getting prescription renewals, as walk-in clinics don’t seem to be walk-in anymore. Not only have I been able to get my prescriptions, but all of the doctors I’ve dealt with have gone the extra mile and have arranged for tests and face-to-face appointments as necessary. The follow-up that Babylon/Telus has is impressive. Thank you so much for this service.”
3. GetMaple
| PRODUCTS | Dermatology, Mole Mapping, Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Endocrinology, Naturopathy, Allergy & Immunology, Caregiver Support, Functional Medicine, Weight Management, Independent COVID-19 Testing, Migraine Treatment, Addiction Management, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Speech Therapy, Respirology, Diet and Nutrition, General Health, Sleep Therapy, Life Coaching, Cognitive Assessment, Lactation & Breastfeeding, Diabetes Counselling, Oncology Navigation |
| WEBSITE | https://www.getmaple.ca/location/alberta/edmonton-doctors/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Email: [email protected] |
GetMaple was established in 2015 by a group of friends who were bothered about the long wait times patients spend inside a doctor’s clinic. With this app, users are able to speak to a doctor within two minutes or less.
Like many of the other virtual healthcare apps, GetMaple will ask you to describe the symptoms you are experiencing. When you’re done, it will connect you to the next available physician who is most suited for the symptom you are facing.
During your consultation, your doctor will issue a prescription to you. And if needed, you can ask for a sick note to be issued.
GetMaple accepts provincial health insurance plan users. But it’s important to know that not every single condition is covered by the insurance.
That said, GetMaple offers some pricing options for patients. You can choose a pay-per-visit payment option, which usually costs $49 per visit on a weekday (between 7am to midnight Monday to Friday).
On weekends and holidays, their pay-per-visit consultation is charged at $79. And if it’s an urgent consultation that takes place between midnight to 6:59 am, you will need to pay $99 per visit.
There is also an option to sign up for an annual medical membership plan for you and your entire family. Personal memberships cost $30/month and come with 30 on-demand visits per year.
On the other hand, you can get the family membership, which costs $50/month and includes 50 on-demand visits per year.
Lastly, GetMaple offers credit packages to let you save money on your healthcare needs. They offer the Starter $100 credit, the Extended $200 credit, and the Year-Round $500 credit.
Pros
- Available 24/7
- No time limit on consultations
- Can issue sick notes
- Fee includes free prescription delivery throughout Canada
- Free storage of health records
Cons
- Can be pricey for those without insurance
- Different prices for weekends, holidays, and overnight consultations
Customer Reviews
The patients who were able to use GetMaple’s services left these reviews on their Facebook page:
“The doctor that I was connected to was very thorough and polite. My prescription was faxed over to the pharmacy of my choice and ready for pick up almost instantly. This is a great option to get care from a doctor if you don’t want to deal with wait times at the clinic. I highly recommend Maple.” – Nicole Gallagher
“The service was efficient, convenient, and compassionate. I appreciated the options offered- phone, video, or message- as it gave me choice. The nurse practitioner that I met with was kind, caring and sensitive. I felt valued and heard and I highly recommend this to anyone who needs medical services.” – Shelley Hanson
“A scam. I would not trust maple or the doctors that work for them. Dermatologist costs $180 and they tried to charge me $260. I was told 100 different things that never turned out to be true, and after waiting 6 months to heal from a surgery I came back to ask for blood work. I was told I could get by just asking. I was told I had to pay another $180! it’s a money grab. very unprofessional” – Adam Charles
4. Tia Health
| PRODUCTS | Dermatology, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Gynecologist, Podiatrist, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Osteopath |
| WEBSITE | https://tiahealth.com/online-clinic-locations/online-doctor-edmonton/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Open 24 hours |
Another third-party app that offers the best telehealth services in Edmonton is Tia Health. Through this app, you have access to some of the top doctors in Canada who can assess your condition.
But unlike the other platforms, Tia Health is one that lets you choose the doctor you would like to have a consultation with. Even though these doctors are really good, you won’t end up with whoever is available to accommodate you.
Apart from having an option to choose your own doctor, Tia Health offers a courier service that will deliver your prescription medication straight to your door. And if that’s not all that makes Tia Health stand out, they offer a wide range of doctor specializations including veterinary medicine.
And if English isn’t your first language, Tia Health can connect you with a health professional that can speak in the language you’re more comfortable with.
As a resident of Alberta, Ontario, or British Columbia, you can get free consultation with your valid health card. But if you reside in other provinces, their consultation starts at $30.
Pros
- Allows you to choose your physician
- Offers courier service for prescription medicine delivered to your home
- Veterinary services are also available
- Various payment methods available
Cons
- No contact details available except for email
- Patients have a 10-minute time slot for consultations
- Complaints about late doctors
Customer Reviews
Some of the reviews on this app include the following:
“Quick, easy, & efficient– but without feeling rushed or like I wasn’t listened to.. I was beyond impressed with the care I received. The Dr. I spoke with knew what I wanted to speak about, was clear and easy to understand, and she even gave me info on follow up, so I’d know what to expect. I don’t have the best immune system, so it was a huge relief to be able to get the appointment I needed without having to chance getting sick from an overly crowded waiting room.” – Stephanie Biddulph
“Not perfect but pretty good. Tdlr: confirm with your pharmacy that they received the prescription before going there. When looking for physician availability, I was able to book an online appointment for the following day. The doctor was about 10 minutes late to the call (understandable). I will say it was really hard to hear him on the call, he might have been on speaker phone, that said he was nice. I knew what my diagnosis was before calling. I just needed a prescription. This service might not be ideal for something more arbitrary as you’re only given a 10 minute time slot. The main issue was that my pharmacy claimed to never have gotten the faxed prescription. I had to contact the live chat on Tia health for them to resend it… Still no luck. I asked them again to send it to a different pharmacy and succeeded! The wait time for customer service in both cases was maybe 5 minutes, really good. All in all, there’s a lot that can go wrong but if this service works as it should, it’s great. And free!” – Natasha Taggart
5. Teladoc Health
| PRODUCTS | Dermatologists, Pediatricians, Primary Care Physicians, Physicians, Therapists |
| WEBSITE | https://teladochealth.com/en-CA/ |
| ADDRESS | 214 King St W, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M5H 3S6 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (855) 661-7243 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Open 24 hours |
Teladoc Health is one of the oldest telehealth platforms throughout North America. It was founded in 2002 by Byron Brook and Michael Gorton in Dallas, Texas. But it was only in April 2019 when Teladoc Health entered Canada.
Ever since then, they have partnered with different businesses and health insurance companies. If your insurance provider is among their partners, you can enjoy free coverage on your consultation.
But unlike the other telehealth platforms, Teladoc Health does not speak directly with patients. You will need to get in touch with your insurance provider so you can get an appointment schedule with one of the doctors on the platform.
Teladoc has partnered with over 70 global insurance and financial service firms so they really have a wide reach of customers. In fact, they are available in over 175 countries and can speak 40 languages.
Since they already work with insurance providers, you don’t have to worry about any additional costs. Some of their previous patients attest to not having to deal with additional costs outside of their insurance plan.
Pros
- Operates worldwide
- Over 450 medical subspecialties
- No additional cost
Cons
- Does not offer direct accounts with patients; have to use your insurance provider
- Pricing information is not available on website
Customer Reviews
Check out the reviews that previous customers had to say about Teladoc Health:
Teladoc saves time. All medical providers I have seen are professional and I have received nothing less than stellar care from them. Even a prescription called right into my local pharmacy! This was the easiest tool I’ve ever used for access to reliable healthcare. From downloading the app to my first doctor visit– everything was simple and FAST. And of course, accurate.”
“No problems whatsoever and actually save time and money by not having to leave home to visit with my doctors. I was able to use this product as a consumer and have visited with a couple of my doctors using Teladoc in the past year.” – Scott R.
“It was very easy to use! I am a working mom and don’t always make time to take care of my needs. I was able to do this on my lunch break and have my prescriptions ready to pick up on my way home! The physician explained everything so well! I felt like I got more explanation than I have got at my last in person visits! This was so easy and the response times were so fast! My issue wasn’t urgent but they treated it like it was! It is very easy to register and to make an appointment. Within an hour I had a prescription ready for pick up. The physician explained the diagnosis and medication efficiently and it was very easy to understand medication and how to use. They also gave me a coupon for medication in case it cost a lot. This is an amazing service and I would recommend it to anyone!”
6. In Step Physio
| PRODUCTS | Telerehab Physiotherapy, Orthopedic and Sports, Neurological Physio Therapy, Massage Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, Vestibular Physio Therapy, Concussion Management, Pediatric Physio Therapy, Amputee Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy, Psychology |
| WEBSITE | https://instepphysio.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 10534 124 St NW #200, Edmonton, AB T5N 1S1 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Fax: (780) 454 5482 780-900-6445 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
Instep Physio is a clinic that offers a wide variety and therapies in order to treat, maintain and attain your physical wellness goals and keep yourself in tiptop shape at all times. Their services are vast as they include numerous therapies such as massage therapy, shockwave therapy, neurological physiotherapy, telerehab physiotherapy, and vestibular physiotherapy among many others.
They make inquiring about the whole process easier for you as they offer a free telephone consultation wherein you can talk to their specialists and weigh which physical therapy is the best to be done for your situation and goals. They also have a free discovery session should you want to try out one of their therapeutic services and decide whether or not the said method works for you and if you should pursue it in the future.
Their staff and experts are willing to answer any of your queries regarding their services and expand your knowledge about these therapies and guide in choosing the best choice for you that will benefit you the greatest and fit your lifestyle as well. Furthermore, not only do they finish the job by doing the said therapies alone rather they make it to a point to educate you while placing your goals and preferences as a top priority.
We recommend this clinic for you due to their consistent and excellent services in which you can trust that each individual you are dealing with is a qualified professional therapist.
Pros
- Personalized services
- Informative and educational
- Wide range of services
Cons
- Some services could be improved
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from their clients:
“Pleasant interaction when my husband was treated during his Parkinson journey over a few years. Good tips also for his day to day experience with ongoing losses. He looked forward to his therapy.”
“It was so nice working with instep physical therapy.i came here with a work accident injury which was so bad. Now I am able to use my hand perfectly as back to normal. After my therapy I was in perfect shape to go back to work. I would certainly recommend instep physical therapy for perfect rehabilitation and service. Thank you so much Instep team.”
7. Positive Shift
| PRODUCTS | https://positive-shift.com/collections/all |
| WEBSITE | https://positive-shift.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Spring Lake and Edmonton, AB |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-271-0675 / [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Contact for more information |
Positive Shift is a clinic that focuses more on therapies that use art as a means of recreation and for the purpose of therapy as they strive to help you heal and grow should you have any issues especially if you are suffering from any chronic condition or other disabilities.
They have an accommodating feature on their website wherein you can easily have access to commonly asked questions and even have instructional videos for your convenience should you want to come back and check on some of their materials. Their workshops and therapies accommodate individuals of all ages in which their prices can admit two people for the price of only one which can be an ideal way to bond with your friends and family as well.
They offer Telehealth sessions so you don’t have to worry about going to a certain venue for your appointments in which you can choose to attend alone or with a friend. Furthermore, if you aren’t really much of an artist, each of their sessions includes a welcome round and ends with a round of reflection which solely focuses on the expression of your feelings through art so you don’t have to worry about being artistic or not.
We recommend this clinic due to their unique approach for dealing with personal issues in which they offer the whole package at affordable and discounted prices. Should you have trouble looking for art supplies they are also partnered with The Gilded Rabbit in Edmonton which offers a discount on their clients.
Pros
- Affordable rates and discounts
- Excellent for individuals for all levels of art expertise
- Relevant partnerships
Cons
- Only caters group sessions
8. Milkbud Lactation and Prenatal
| PRODUCTS | https://milkbudlactation.ca/services/ |
| WEBSITE | https://milkbudlactation.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | Contact for more information |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 780.266.3700 • [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Contact for more information |
Milkbud Lactation and Prenatal is run by Sheena, a Registered Nurse in Labour and Delivery since 2010, and she loves providing care for moms and babies.
In 2019, she became an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) as a result of a large amount of false information, judgmental attitudes and online negativity surrounding infant feeding.
Today, she uses her training and experience o bring the best, non-judgmental, and empowering prenatal education and infant feeding support to her clients.
We like the services she provides, which includes In-Home Breastfeeding Consultation and Support, Prenatal Breastfeeding Class, Prenatal Birth Preparation Class, In-Home Prenatal Consult, and Online Prenatal Classes. It gives us so much options to be more prepared to care for our babies.
We also like her advocacy for moms and babies, and it shines through her work. Of course, we’ve also found that she’s very knowledgeable in her field.
She provided us with helpful tips and tricks and helped us with our concerns.
We highly recommend her, especially for new mothers who’d like to provide the best care for their little ones!
Pros
- Rates available on website
- Online and in-house sessions available
- International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- Registered Nurse
Cons
- Specialty is on lactation and prenatal care, so it’s more for mothers
Customer Reviews
“Sheena was great to work with. I emailed her late in the day about my concerns and she responded to me right away and we booked a consult for the next morning. This was very helpful as I was at my breaking point and appreciated the quick reply. My problem was that feeds were taking over an hour. She spent 2 hours with me while I fed, we talked and tried different strategies. It was also nice to hear her tell me all the things I was doing right! Felt validated that I was doing my best. Within the first few feeds I could already see a huge difference. Feeds were down to 30 minutes and I actually had time to enjoy and interact with my baby outside of feedings. It’s been wonderful. My only regret is that I didn’t call sooner. Thank you thank you thank you!“
“Sheena was great! I was able to schedule an appointment with her within a week of my request! As a new mom, this was great! She came to my house, was super patient, reassured me that the things I was doing were good, but also offered up many alternatives. She provided notes that I could refer to after the appointment and emailed me after the appointment to see how things were going. I had a great experience with her!”
When is the Best Time to Get a Virtual Consultation?
Without a doubt, seeing a doctor virtually can be a huge sigh of relief. Especially when you’re sick, you won’t need to make your way to a doctor’s clinic and expose yourself to the other people in the waiting room.
In addition to that, you lessen the wait time you need to spend. Through these apps, you can set up an appointment and get everything done right away.
But when do you know you need a virtual consultation? Here are some of our reasons why you should book an online consultation with your doctor:
You Don’t Need Urgent Care
One thing you have to remember about booking an online consultation is that these typically need to be scheduled in advance. If you really need urgent care, the best thing to do is to head over to an emergency room or see a doctor in person.
Online consultations are best for common and non-life-threatening conditions. Doctors cannot diagnose every single ailment you are feeling, especially with a virtual consultation. So if you are dealing with something serious or an emergency, please go to a clinic right away.
You Can’t Travel to a Doctor’s Clinic
If it is physically impossible for you to head to your doctor’s clinic, a virtual consultation will do fine. Say, for example, you are dealing with mobility issues, you can set up an online appointment with your doctor to make it easier for you.
And if you don’t have a lot of free time, an online consultation will be a big help for you. All it takes is just a few minutes of your time instead of spending all that time waiting in a doctor’s clinic.
They Offer Automatic Record-Keeping Services
One of the best perks of telehealth services is that they have automatic record-keeping services. So if you have a rash and you had a doctor check it virtually, he will get to see how well it has improved in your next appointment.
You Only Need a Quick Checkup
If you are dealing with recurring sinusitis or even a urinary tract infection (UTI) with symptoms that are pretty familiar to you, you won’t need to head to your doctor’s clinic. You can set up a virtual consultation so you can get all the assistance you need.
And if the telehealth app offers delivery, you can even have your medicine delivered straight to your home. You won’t need to leave your home for anything.
FAQs about Telehealth Apps
And that makes up our list of the best telehealth apps that offer online consultations with doctors in Edmonton. We hope that our list gets to help you seek immediate care you require for your health.
If we missed out on any telehealth provider, feel free to send us a message so we can check it out and see whether they can make it into our list.
Make sure to check out our list of the best Edmonton clinics if you wish to get an in-person check up.
