PlushCare review
PlushCare is a virtual clinic: you book a video visit with a board-certified doctor who reviews your symptoms, orders STD lab tests at a local lab, follows up with results, and prescribes treatment if needed — all online. Unlike most at-home services, it accepts major insurance, so insured patients often pay just a copay. The model is a membership plus a per-visit fee, and lab costs are billed separately. Here's our full review.
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- Our rating
- 3.9/5
- full doctor loop; insurance
- Results
- 1–5 days
- doctor follows up
- Visit
- $129 / ~$30
- uninsured / insured copay
- Membership
- $19.99/mo
- first month free
Our verdict
Is PlushCare worth it?
PlushCare is the pick when you want a real doctor in the loop, not just a lab result — and especially if you have insurance. A board-certified physician video-visits you, orders an STD panel at a local lab, reviews the results, and can prescribe treatment, closing the whole loop online. It accepts major insurance (Aetna, BCBS/Anthem, Cigna, Humana, Medicare), so insured visits are often around a $30 copay. The catches: it's a membership ($19.99/month after a free first month) on top of the visit fee, lab costs are billed separately and aren't shown upfront, and results take 1–5 days. For a guided, insurance-friendly experience, it's a strong option.
Check prices at PlushCareFirst month of membership free
The full review
PlushCare in depth
Our hands-on take on what PlushCare gets right, where it falls short, and how it stacks up.
A real doctor, end to end
PlushCare's value isn't a kit — it's a board-certified physician who video-visits you, orders the STD panel at a local lab, reviews the results, and prescribes treatment electronically, all in one platform. The doctor-ordered panel reaches about seven infections, including herpes 1 & 2 with add-ons like trichomoniasis, and same-day appointments run seven days a week across all 50 states. For insured patients the math is appealing: it accepts Aetna, BCBS/Anthem, Cigna, Humana and Medicare, so a visit often costs around a $30 copay. If you want that full guided loop, it earns its 3.9 — see where it lands among our provider reviews.
The cost structure is the catch
Where PlushCare gets complicated is the bill. There's a $19.99/month membership (first month free) on top of the visit fee, and lab costs are billed separately and not shown upfront — so an uninsured visit at $129 plus labs can surprise you. Results also take 1–5 business days, slower than a rapid or walk-in route. If you don't want a membership and just want the cheapest transparent cash test, Sesame lists prices with no subscription; if you want flat-price test-and-treat without insurance, Wisp covers all 50 states. Weigh both against your own insurance status before committing.
How it scores
PlushCare rated by category
We score every service on the things that actually matter, then weight them into one overall rating.
Overall · out of 5
Full clinical loop
4.6/5Video visit → lab order → results review → prescription, all in one platform.
Insurance
4.6/5Accepts major plans (Aetna, BCBS/Anthem, Cigna, Humana, Medicare) — low copay for insured patients.
Panel breadth
4.2/5Doctor-ordered panel covers ~7 infections incl. herpes 1 & 2, with add-ons.
Access
4.3/5Same-day appointments 7 days a week, all 50 states, 24/7 urgent care.
Speed
3.4/5Lab results take 1–5 business days — slower than a rapid or walk-in option.
Cost structure
3.3/5Membership fee plus visit fee, and lab costs are billed separately and not shown upfront.
Is it right for you?
Who PlushCare is — and isn't — for
Choose PlushCare if…
- You want a real doctor to order tests and follow up, not just a kit
- You have insurance and want to minimize out-of-pocket cost
- You want testing and treatment handled in one virtual loop
- You may have symptoms and want a same-day video visit
- You want a broad panel including herpes 1 & 2
Look elsewhere if…
- You want a one-off test without a membership fee
- You want results fast (labs take 1–5 days)
- You want a single all-in price (lab costs are billed separately)
- You want anonymous, self-pay-only testing
The honest take
PlushCare pros & cons
Pros
- Full clinical loop: video visit, lab order, results review and prescription in one place
- Accepts major insurance — often ~$30 or less per visit for insured patients
- Broad doctor-ordered panel (~7 infections incl. herpes 1 & 2) with add-ons
- Same-day appointments 7 days a week in all 50 states; 24/7 urgent care
- Refund guarantee if they can't provide treatment (labs/meds excluded)
Cons
- Membership fee ($19.99/month) on top of the visit and lab costs
- Lab results take 1–5 business days — slowest of the doctor-led options
- Lab costs are separate and not disclosed upfront — uninsured bills can surprise
- Uninsured visit ($129 + membership) is pricier than cash-pay alternatives
- Visit/labs may enter your medical record and insurance EOB
Step by step
How PlushCare works
-
1
Join & book
Sign up for membership ($19.99/month, first month free) and book a same-day video visit.
-
2
Video visit
A board-certified doctor reviews your symptoms and history and orders the STD lab tests you need.
-
3
Visit a local lab
Give a urine and/or blood sample at a local lab; lab costs are billed separately (insurance or self-pay).
-
4
Results & treatment
Your doctor follows up with results in 1–5 days and prescribes treatment electronically if needed.
What it costs
PlushCare pricing
Membership $19.99/month (first month free) or $149/year, plus a visit fee. Accepts major insurance. Lab costs are billed separately by the lab/your plan.
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| Video visit (with in-network insurance) | ~$30 copay |
| Video visit (uninsured) | $129 |
| Membership | $19.99/mo |
Screens for
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- HIV
- Herpes HSV-1
- Herpes HSV-2
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Trichomoniasis
Before you buy
PlushCare: the fine print
- Sample collection
- Doctor-ordered urine and/or blood draw at a local lab
- Insurance & payment
- Accepts major plans (Aetna, BCBS/Anthem, Cigna, Humana, Medicare); membership + visit fee apply
- Doctor consult
- Board-certified doctor evaluates, follows up and prescribes treatment
- Privacy
- HIPAA-compliant; clinical care may enter your medical record and insurance EOB
Good to Know
PlushCare review FAQs
Common questions about PlushCare — cost, accuracy, results and how it works.
Does PlushCare order the tests or just refer me?
A PlushCare doctor orders the lab tests directly during your video visit. You give your sample at a local lab, then the same doctor reviews the results with you and prescribes treatment if needed — it's a full clinical loop, not just a referral.
Does PlushCare take insurance?
Yes — it accepts major plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem, Cigna, Humana and Medicare. Insured patients typically pay around a $30 copay per visit; lab costs are handled separately under your plan's lab benefits.
How much does PlushCare cost?
There's a $19.99/month membership (first month free) plus a visit fee: about $30 with in-network insurance or $129 uninsured. Lab test costs are billed separately and depend on your plan or self-pay rate.
What STIs does the panel cover?
The doctor-ordered panel covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes 1 & 2 and hepatitis B & C, with optional add-ons like trichomoniasis.
How long do results take?
Lab results take 1–5 business days after your sample reaches the lab; your doctor follows up to review them and prescribe treatment if appropriate.
Can PlushCare prescribe STI treatment?
Yes — its doctors can prescribe antibiotics or antivirals during or after the visit, sent electronically to your pharmacy.
Editorial standards
Medically reviewed · Updated
Reviewed by Jordan Vance, Lead Reviews Editor · Independent testing & product reviews
Evaluates at-home and lab STD-testing services hands-on against a fixed rubric — accuracy & lab credentials, price, privacy, turnaround and support — and discloses every affiliate relationship. Reviews are editorial, not medical advice; clinical claims are checked by our medical team.
3 Sources
Provider
- PlushCare — sexual health https://www.plushcare.com/sexual-health/
- PlushCare — official site https://www.plushcare.com/
Clinical guidance
- CDC — STI screening recommendations https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm
See how we review STD testing services — the categories we score, how we verify pricing, and why our affiliate links never change a rating.
Compare
How PlushCare compares
PlushCare versus the other STD testing services we've reviewed, side by side.
| Service | Our rating | Type | Results | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlushCareThis review | 3.9 | Clinic & treat | 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up | Virtual doctor visit + treatment | You're here |
| MISTR | 4.5 | Clinic & treat | Provider-coordinated; medication ships after labs clear | Free PrEP & DoxyPEP, no in-person visit | Read review |
| LetsGetChecked | 4.3 | At-home kit | 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Best overall at-home kit | Read review |
| STDcheck | 4.3 | Lab visit | 1–2 days (secure online portal) | Fastest results & widest lab network | Read review |
| Priority STD Testing | 4.2 | Lab visit | 24–72 hours via secure online portal | Same-day testing with treatment | Read review |
| Q Care Plus | 4.2 | Clinic & treat | Provider-coordinated; first scripts/kits shipped after the visit | PrEP with built-in STI testing & treatment | Read review |
| Visby Medical | 4.2 | At-home kit | About 30 minutes, read in the app | Fastest at-home result (30 min) | Read review |
| Walk-In Lab | 4.2 | Lab visit | 1–2 days (single tests); 3–5 days (panels) | Widest test catalog & lab choice | Read review |
| HealthLabs | 4.1 | Lab visit | 1–3 days (HIV RNA early detection 2–4 days) | Price match & broadest panels | Read review |
| Labcorp | 4.1 | Lab + at-home | 1–4 days (lab) or 15–30 minutes (at-home rapid kits) | Big-lab testing, in person or at home | Read review |
| CVS MinuteClinic | 4.0 | Clinic & treat | Rapid for some tests in-clinic; send-out lab results typically a few days | In-person evaluate & treat | Read review |
| FOLX Health | 4.0 | Clinic & treat | Up to about 5 business days for Quest lab results | LGBTQ+-affirming sexual health | Read review |
| myLAB Box | 4.0 | At-home kit | 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Widest at-home panel & couples kits | Read review |
| Personalabs | 4.0 | Lab visit | 24–48 hours via secure online portal | Physician-backed ordering | Read review |
| Quest Diagnostics | 4.0 | Lab + at-home | 2–5 days via the MyQuest app/portal | The national lab itself | Read review |
| Sesame | 4.0 | Lab visit | Often under 24 hours from collection | Transparent cash-pay labs | Read review |
| Ulta Lab Tests | 4.0 | Lab visit | 24–48 hours via secure online portal | Quest catalog breadth | Read review |
| Wisp | 4.0 | At-home kit | 3–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Test and treat in one place | Read review |
| Any Lab Test Now | 3.9 | Lab visit | 3–5 business days after collection | Walk-in storefront testing | Read review |
| Private MD Labs | 3.9 | Lab visit | First results next day; complete results up to 7 business days | Low upfront cost & money-back | Read review |
| Request A Test | 3.8 | Lab visit | Typically 1–3 business days via a secure online account | Established low-cost lab ordering | Read review |
| Rapid STD Testing | 3.7 | Lab visit | 1–2 business days via secure online portal | Concierge testing with treatment | Read review |
| DirectLabs | 3.6 | Lab visit | 24–48 business hours via the MyDLS portal | Cheap individual tests | Read review |
| Everlywell | 3.6 | At-home kit | About 5–7 days after the lab receives your sample | Retail pickup & wellness range | Read review |
| Nurx | 3.5 | At-home kit | About 7 business days after the lab receives your sample | Billing insurance for an at-home kit | Read review |
PlushCareThis review
3.9- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up
- Best for
- Virtual doctor visit + treatment
MISTR
4.5- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Provider-coordinated; medication ships after labs clear
- Best for
- Free PrEP & DoxyPEP, no in-person visit
LetsGetChecked
4.3- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Best overall at-home kit
STDcheck
4.3- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 days (secure online portal)
- Best for
- Fastest results & widest lab network
Priority STD Testing
4.2- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–72 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Same-day testing with treatment
Q Care Plus
4.2- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Provider-coordinated; first scripts/kits shipped after the visit
- Best for
- PrEP with built-in STI testing & treatment
Visby Medical
4.2- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 30 minutes, read in the app
- Best for
- Fastest at-home result (30 min)
Walk-In Lab
4.2- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 days (single tests); 3–5 days (panels)
- Best for
- Widest test catalog & lab choice
HealthLabs
4.1- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–3 days (HIV RNA early detection 2–4 days)
- Best for
- Price match & broadest panels
Labcorp
4.1- Type
- Lab + at-home
- Results
- 1–4 days (lab) or 15–30 minutes (at-home rapid kits)
- Best for
- Big-lab testing, in person or at home
CVS MinuteClinic
4.0- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Rapid for some tests in-clinic; send-out lab results typically a few days
- Best for
- In-person evaluate & treat
FOLX Health
4.0- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Up to about 5 business days for Quest lab results
- Best for
- LGBTQ+-affirming sexual health
myLAB Box
4.0- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Widest at-home panel & couples kits
Personalabs
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Physician-backed ordering
Quest Diagnostics
4.0- Type
- Lab + at-home
- Results
- 2–5 days via the MyQuest app/portal
- Best for
- The national lab itself
Sesame
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- Often under 24 hours from collection
- Best for
- Transparent cash-pay labs
Ulta Lab Tests
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Quest catalog breadth
Wisp
4.0- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 3–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Test and treat in one place
Any Lab Test Now
3.9- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 3–5 business days after collection
- Best for
- Walk-in storefront testing
Private MD Labs
3.9- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- First results next day; complete results up to 7 business days
- Best for
- Low upfront cost & money-back
Request A Test
3.8- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- Typically 1–3 business days via a secure online account
- Best for
- Established low-cost lab ordering
Rapid STD Testing
3.7- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 business days via secure online portal
- Best for
- Concierge testing with treatment
DirectLabs
3.6- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 business hours via the MyDLS portal
- Best for
- Cheap individual tests
Everlywell
3.6- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 5–7 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Retail pickup & wellness range
Nurx
3.5- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 7 business days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Billing insurance for an at-home kit
Top alternatives to PlushCare
If PlushCare isn't quite right, these are the closest options we'd point you to instead.