MDLive Psychiatry

MDLive is a Fort Lauderdale-based telehealth company founded in 2009 and one of the earliest large-scale platforms to bring on-demand virtual care to consumers at scale. The company provides mental health services — therapy and psychiatry — alongside urgent care, primary care, and dermatology through a single consumer-facing platform and mobile app. In 2020, Cigna acquired a majority stake in MDLive and integrated it as Cigna's primary telehealth network. This partnership is MDLive's most significant commercial relationship: Cigna customers in most states access MDLive as their in-network telehealth benefit, and many pay $0 per visit beyond their standard plan copay. For the subset of consumers who have Cigna coverage, MDLive is often the default recommendation simply because of this cost advantage. MDLive's behavioral health services cover therapy with licensed therapists and psychiatric medication management with board-certified psychiatrists. The platform accepts a wide range of commercial insurance carriers beyond Cigna, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and some Medicare and Medicaid plans. Benefit verification happens at sign-up, so patients know their expected cost before booking. One limitation of MDLive's model relative to specialized mental health platforms is that behavioral health is one vertical among many. MDLive does not offer ADHD diagnostic assessments, does not prescribe stimulants, and does not provide structured programs for conditions like alcohol use disorder or eating disorders. Patients who want a mental-health-only platform with dedicated clinical protocols for specific conditions will find better options in specialty-focused services. MDLive's appointment model is primarily scheduled rather than on-demand for mental health — unlike its urgent care line, therapy and psychiatry require advance booking, with wait times typically ranging from same-day to several days for therapy and a few days to a week for psychiatry. The platform operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For commercially insured patients — particularly those covered by Cigna — MDLive represents one of the most cost-effective paths to telehealth therapy and psychiatric medication management, with essentially no upfront cost and the convenience of a platform many already use for other healthcare needs. mobile app. In 2020, Cigna acquired a majority stake in MDLive and integrated it as Cigna's primary telehealth network. This partnership is MDLive's most significant commercial relationship: Cigna customers in most states access MDLive as their in-network telehealth benefit, and many pay $0 per visit beyond their standard plan copay. For the subset of consumers who have Cigna coverage, MDLive is often the default recommendation simply because of this cost advantage. MDLive's behavioral health services cover therapy with licensed therapists and psychiatric medication management with board-certified psychiatrists. The platform accepts a wide range of commercial insurance carriers beyond Cigna, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and some Medicare and Medicaid plans. Benefit verification happens at sign-up, so patients know their expected cost before booking. One limitation of MDLive's model relative to specialized mental health platforms is that behavioral health is one vertical among many. MDLive does not offer ADHD diagnostic assessments, does not prescribe stimulants, and does not provide structured programs for conditions like alcohol use disorder or eating disorders. Patients who want a mental-health-only platform with dedicated clinical protocols for specific conditions will find better options in specialty-focused services. MDLive's appointment model is primarily scheduled rather than on-demand for mental health — unlike its urgent care line, therapy and psychiatry require advance booking, with wait times typically ranging from same-day to several days for therapy and a few days to a week for psychiatry. The platform operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For commercially insured patients — particularly those covered by Cigna — MDLive represents one of the most cost-effective paths to telehealth therapy and psychiatric medication management, with essentially no upfront cost and the convenience of a platform many already use for other healthcare needs.

Who it suits

Patients who are Cigna members (MDLive is Cigna's in-network telehealth partner, often at $0 copay) or who hold other major commercial plans and want a no-commitment, per-visit approach to therapy or psychiatric medication management. MDLive is also a good fit for patients who want to address both a mental health concern and an urgent medical issue through a single platform. It is not the right fit for patients who want a specialized mental health platform with ADHD assessment, stimulant prescribing, or intensive therapy programs — MDLive is general-purpose telehealth, not a behavioral health specialist.

How MDLive Psychiatry compares

MDLive is most directly comparable to Amwell and Doctor On Demand as a legacy enterprise telehealth platform offering both therapy and psychiatry. The key distinction for patients is MDLive's deep integration with Cigna: Cigna members access MDLive as their primary telehealth benefit, often at no cost beyond their standard copay. For non-Cigna patients, MDLive's self-pay pricing ($299 initial psychiatry, $159 follow-up) is comparable to Amwell. Unlike newer focused platforms like Talkiatry or Brightside, MDLive is a general medical telehealth platform that covers everything from urgent care to dermatology — mental health is one line among many, not the core focus.

Care offered

• Mental Health & Psychiatry
• ADHD Management

Included

• Therapy / Counseling
• Medication Management
• Initial Evaluation & Diagnosis
• Prescription Refills

Convenience

• Same-Week Appointments
• Evening & Weekend Hours
• App-Based Care

Cost

Pricing not confirmed. Check MDLive Psychiatry's website for current prices.

Without insurance, therapy starts at $179 for an initial session and $140 per follow-up; initial psychiatry is $299 and follow-ups are $159. With insurance, MDLive accepts Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and some Medicare and Medicaid plans — average copays range from $0–$30 per session. No monthly subscription fee is required.

Insurance

Plans listed: UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Aetna.

Coverage varies by plan. Confirm yours with the provider before booking.

Self-pay is also accepted.

States served by telehealth

20 states

• AZ
• CO
• TN
• MN
• NC
• FL
• MI
• VA
• OH
• WA
• CA
• NY
• NJ
• TX
• IL
• GA
• MD
• PA
• IN
• MA

Telehealth providers must be licensed in the state where you are during the visit.

How to start

Visit mdlive.com or download the MDLive app, create an account, and enter your insurance information to check coverage. Select "Mental Health" from the service menu, choose between therapy and psychiatry, and pick from available providers and appointment times. New patients can typically book within a few days of sign-up.