Lemonaid Health describes itself as a nationwide, online doctor’s office. It provides services for an array of health conditions, including general health, skin care, and mental health.
Lemonaid Health is a telehealth company that helps people access doctors online.
Lemonaid Health at a glance
Lemonaid Health is a telehealth company providing low cost online medical consultations with licensed medical professionals via an easy-to-navigate website and app.
It offers prescription medication for the following categories:
- general health
- mental health
- women’s health
- men’s health
- skin care
- testing services
- erectile dysfunction (ED)
- type 2 diabetes
Standard consultations start at $25. For people needing care and medication for mental health conditions, a monthly fee of $95 covers consultations and the costs of medication, including shipping.
Lemonaid Health does not accept insurance for consultation fees or prescription medicines.
Lemonaid Health’s services are available to people ages 18 or over in all 50 U.S. states, including Washington, D.C.
Pros
- individuals have access to an extensive range of services
- it makes doctor’s appointments accessible to people who cannot travel to a clinic or doctor’s office
- there is mobile-friendly access via an app
- the company operates a flat monthly fee, covering consultations and some medicines
- some customers found Lemonaid Health was more affordable than using insurance
Cons
- the company only processes treatment requests during business hours
- insurance does not cover consultation fees
- individuals must pay for medication out of pocket
Lemonaid Health aims to offer a convenient and affordable way to get prescription medication for various health conditions via its website and app.
Depending on a person’s health condition, they will receive a video consultation or phone call from a healthcare practitioner. The healthcare professional will then prescribe medication if appropriate.
Only people ages 18 and over can use Lemonaid Health.
Lemonaid Health offers the following services:
General care
The company treats and evaluates people for the following conditions:
Cold sores
Lemonaid Health offers preventive and immediate outbreak treatment for cold sores with the antivirals acyclovir (Zovirax) and valacyclovir (Valtrex).
It states that all treatments are equally effective but differ in dose.
Sinus infection
People can receive a same-day online appointment for sinus infections. If the sinus infection is due to a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe a 10-day course of amoxicillin. If the person is allergic to amoxicillin or penicillin, the doctor will prescribe a 10-day course of doxycycline.
Lemonaid Health states that a person’s insurance should cover sinus antibiotics.
Asthma
Lemonaid Health offers same-day prescriptions for daily or rescue inhalers. If the person does not have an existing asthma diagnosis, Lemonaid Health recommends that they contact a medical professional who can offer a diagnosis.
Doctors either prescribe short-acting asthma medications such as ProAir (albuterol) and Xopenex or long-acting medications such as Symbicort, Advair, Spiriva (tiotropium), Dulera, and Servent (salmeterol).
Acid reflux
Lemonaid Health offers treatment for people who are currently taking medication for acid reflux, have not had treatment before, and those who want to adjust their medication.
Following a medical review, a doctor will prescribe a 3-month course of either ranitidine (Zantac) or omeprazole (Prilosec).
High blood pressure
People can renew their prescription for blood pressure medication with one of Lemonaid Health’s licensed doctors or nurse practitioners. Following a review, the licensed healthcare professional will prescribe one of the following drugs:
- hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
- lisinopril (Zestril)
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
- metoprolol (Lopressor)
Doctors also offer other diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers, and beta-blockers to suit the person’s condition.
Genital herpes
Lemonaid Health offers two types of treatment for genital herpes. There is an immediate genital herpes outbreak treatment and a daily preventive herpes treatment. Doctors will prescribe one of the following drugs:
- acyclovir (Zovirax)
- valacyclovir (Valtrex)
- famciclovir (Famvir)
Each medication differs in cost and how long a person takes them.
Primary care
Lemonaid Health partners customers with a doctor based on their medical needs, personal interests, and health goals after an hour-long video chat. A doctor will develop a plan to monitor and manage their health.
Following this video chat, people can call, text, or video chat with their doctor when necessary at no additional cost.
Lemonaid Health’s primary care package covers:
- chronic conditions, such as stress management or hyperthyroidism
- labs and screenings for conditions such as abdominal pain or vitamin deficiencies
- preventive methods, such as metabolic syndrome or mood disorder screening
- women’s health, such as family planning, or menopause
- men’s health, such as hair loss or sexual dysfunction
Some conditions may require a single prescription, while others may require the person to sign up for a monthly care subscription for a determined time.
Mental health
Lemonaid Health offers mental health services that cover depression and anxiety, insomnia, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), smoking cessation, general health, and wellness.
People should note that Lemonaid Health cannot help with all mental health conditions. The website instructs those experiencing suicidal thoughts and those who need urgent care to speak with a healthcare professional, a 24/7 helpline, or a local emergency number.
Suicide support
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Following a video call medical review, a doctor or nurse practitioner will prescribe the most suitable medication for the individual’s condition and ship this directly to the person’s address.
Doctors will prescribe one of the following medications for depression, anxiety, or SAD:
The company cannot prescribe sedatives or benzodiazepines.
Insomnia
A doctor may prescribe either hydroxyzine (Vistaril) or trazodone (Desyrel) to treat insomnia. These are noncontrolled, nonaddictive sleep aids.
Lemonaid Health also offers sleep strategies to help individuals fall asleep, including cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, sleep hygiene, and sleep therapy.
Lemonaid Health does not prescribe controlled sleeping pills, tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, sedatives, or any other controlled substances.
Smoking cessation
Following a medical team review, a doctor or nurse practitioner can prescribe 3 months’ worth of Zyban or Chantix to help the individual stop smoking. Lemonaid Health states that these medicines are more effective than over-the-counter medicines an individual can buy at a pharmacy.
Lemonaid Health also recommends free programs to provide support to those who want to stop smoking.
Men’s health
Lemonaid Health offers treatment for men’s health conditions such as ED, premature ejaculation (PE), and hair loss. This service provides a discreet and private way for people to receive treatment, including free, fast shipping to the person’s doorstep.
The company only offers oral medication for these conditions.
Erectile dysfunction
Lemonaid Health offers the following brand name and generic ED treatments:
Treatments are available in different strengths, and costs vary.
Premature ejaculation
Doctors will prescribe either antidepressants such as sertraline or ED drugs (PDE-5 inhibitors) such as Viagra. If appropriate, the doctor may prescribe Cialis.
Doctors will only prescribe these drugs if they are appropriate. To complete a visit, individuals must know their blood pressure readings.
Hair loss
Lemonaid Health offers medication with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for hair loss. This can include finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss or finasteride and minoxidil foam to slow hair loss and promote regrowth at the crown and middle of the head.
Individuals must provide photos of their hair before starting an online consultation so a healthcare professional can prescribe the correct medication.
Women’s health
Lemonaid Health offers advice and medication for birth control, urinary tract infection (UTI) medications, and hot flashes. People can receive discreet, confidential virtual care for these conditions without having to leave home to talk with a doctor.
Birth control
People can get birth control medication for a one-off $25 consultation with Lemonaid Health’s professional medical team. The company also ships a three-month supply of birth control for $15 per pack and offers a refill service.
Lemonaid Health also offers the FDA-approved emergency contraception pill, Ella (ulipristal acetate). The Lemonaid Health Pharmacy ships Ella via next-day delivery within 1 to 2 business days.
Urinary tract infections
Doctors prescribe a 7-day course of the antibiotic Macrobid to treat UTIs.
Lemonaid Health states that medication can cost $25 at some pharmacies without insurance if the individual uses online coupons. If the person has insurance, Lemonaid Health states that the insurance should cover the antibiotic.
Medication will go to a person’s local pharmacy.
Hot flashes
This service is specifically for people ages 45 to 59 during menopause.
This service includes a private online consultation for hot flashes and treatment for vaginal pain and dryness related to menopause. It also provides a personalized 90-day supply of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medication, Prometrium.
Skin
This service covers acne and dark spots. People must provide photos of their skin before a medical consultation.
If a doctor prescribes medication, they will send it to a person’s home.
Doctors may prescribe benzoyl peroxide, spironolactone, and antibiotics in pill and topical forms to treat acne.
Doctors will create a personalized 3-month prescription plan based on the information obtained from the person’s photos and medical consult for dark spots.
Lemonaid Health invites people to check in with a doctor every 3 months to monitor their progress.
Testing
Lemonaid Health provides testing services for:
People will need to get their tests from Quest Diagnostics, which will forward the results to Lemonaid Health. Lemonaid Health works closely with Quest Diagnostics for a wide range of testing.
Once Lemonaid Health receives a person’s test results, a doctor will message the person on their Lemonaid Health account. People can also download a PDF document of their results from the MyQuest website.
People can meet virtually with a doctor on the Lemonaid Health site to discuss treatment for their condition. If a doctor thinks a prescription is necessary, they will send it to the person’s home or a local pharmacy.
Costs differ depending on the test and medication the doctor prescribes.
Before using Lemonaid Health, a person must create an account and profile with their name, gender, and address. They will fill out a questionnaire about their:
- medical history
- symptoms
- current medication
- allergies
The person will then select the type of treatment on a dashboard. They will also find an overview of how the treatment works and any ongoing treatment plan depending on the condition.
People then select a primary, in-state, or nearby pharmacy, if they wish to collect their medications in person. They can then arrange a doctor’s consultation.
A doctor will review the information the person supplies and contact them within 24 hours. Depending on the person’s condition, a doctor may decide that a live video chat is more appropriate before prescribing medication. In other cases, the doctor may wish to speak with the person face-to-face.
Depending on the person’s condition, the doctor may prescribe a one-off, monthly, or quarterly supply of medication, with a follow-up consultation at a pre-determined time to see how the medication works.
If the doctor recommends treatment, they will write a prescription, and the individual can decide how they want to receive their medication. Lemonaid Health ships the medication to a person’s address or a local pharmacy.
This process may differ based on the service a person uses.
Consultations typically cost $25 and cover both the doctor’s consultation and prescription.
Some services that require regular treatment come with a discount for the first month.
Lemonaid Health’s website advises that it does not work with insurance companies. Individuals must pay for their medications out-of-pocket before claiming reimbursement through their insurance plan.
Approximate standard prices for some of Lemonaid Health’s services are:
| Anxiety services | $95 per month, including medication |
|---|---|
| Health and wellness coaching | $115 per month for unlimited sessions |
| Insomnia services | $60 per month, including medication |
| Quitting smoking | $15 per month for Zyban medication |
| Erectile dysfunction | starting from $2 per pill |
| Premature ejaculation | from $1 per pill |
| Male pattern hair loss | $20 per month for finasteride medication |
| Primary care | $99 per month for individuals $178 for the entire family, including lab tests and preventive medications |
| Asthma | $75 per visit, including same-day prescription |
| High blood pressure | $75 per month, with renewals and free medicine shipping |
| Migraine | medications start from $20 per month |
| Cholesterol | around $43 for a lab test consultation and medication starting from $15 per month |
| Acne | medications start from $1 per day, including free benzoyl peroxide treatment |
| Dark spots | $45 per month |
| Hot flashes | around $85 per month |
| STI testing | $36.11 per test that checks for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The medication comes at an extra charge |
Lemonaid Health also states that insurance companies will not typically cover the costs of its medical consultations. However, a person can speak with their insurer directly to confirm coverage.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) awards the company an A+ grade, and customer reviews give the brand an average of 2.29 out of 5 stars.
Less favorable customer reviews mention problems with billing, price increases, unexpected membership subscriptions, and doctors denying prescriptions.
Those who left a positive review say they found Lemonaid Health more cost-effective than using insurance and managed to secure their medications faster than they could from local pharmacies or clinics.
The company claims to have various safeguards to protect personal health information, which it lists on its privacy policy page.
The brand states it does not sell, rent, license, or trade personal information. It complies with national, state, and regional laws on safeguarding data. For example, California residents have rights under the California Privacy Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
The company pledges only to use medical records:
- for treatment
- to provide services
- when complying with the individual’s instructions
- as per the law
- for disclosures of threats to health and safety
- for public health reporting requirements
However, people can also ensure their information stays safe and private by following common internet security principles. According to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HSRA), these include:
- entering personal information on secure websites only
- avoiding using public wi-fi to access healthcare services
- avoiding using telehealth services on public devices
- never sharing data with providers or doctors that the individual does not recognize
Below, we look at how Lemonaid Health compares to alternative healthcare services.
| Lemonaid Health | Nurx | Amwell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental health services | yes | yes | yes |
| General health services | yes | yes | yes |
| Men’s health services | yes | yes | no |
| Women’s health services | yes | yes | yes |
| Skin care services | yes | yes | yes |
| Pediatrics | no | no | yes |
| Lab or at-home tests | yes | yes | no |
| Consultation fees | from $25 | from $15 | from $112 |
| Access to prescriptions | yes | yes | yes |
| Medication delivery | yes | yes | no |
| Prescription to pharmacy | yes | yes | yes |
| Accepts insurance | no | yes | yes |
| Insurers can bill directly for prescriptions | no | yes, except for Medicaid or Medicare | yes, via pharmacies |
Individuals who have consultations through Lemonaid Health will likely talk with a doctor to help determine a resolution for their health condition.
However, the company does not treat every condition, nor can it prescribe every medication.
As such, these services do not entirely replace visiting a doctor in person.
Yes, Lemonaid Health is a legitimate company. It holds accreditation with the BBB, and the organization gives the company an A+ grade.
The company also holds a LegitScript certification. LegitScript states that this certification is for merchants and providers in healthcare online.
Individuals can cancel Lemonaid Health subscriptions or automatic refills anytime by requesting cancelation at least 48 hours before the renewal or refill processing date. Individuals can cancel on the secure patient portal or by calling the patient support team.
Lemonaid Health medication prices vary. Monthly subscriptions for virtual appointments and medication can cost anywhere between $20 and $178. It costs $1 a dose if a person only wants to purchase medication.
A consultation with a Lemonaid Health healthcare professional costs $25.
Yes, Lemonaid Health’s medical team can write a prescription and send it through a partner mail-order pharmacy or to a local pharmacy of the person’s choosing.
Lemonaid Health is a telehealth company that offers doctor consultations, prescriptions, and medications for a wide range of common health conditions. However, there will be limitations to the conditions it can treat and the medications available through online consultations.
Online health services should not fully replace in-person doctor care. Online healthcare cannot typically help with services such as emergency care or if someone requires comprehensive blood tests.