Sesame review
Sesame is a cash-pay healthcare marketplace: instead of a subscription or insurance, you pay one transparent up-front price for a doctor-ordered STD test (or a video visit) and give your sample at a partner lab. Results often come back in under 24 hours, and the price includes the lab order, collection and a results read. It's a great fit if you're uninsured and want the lowest no-surprises price; treatment is a separate booking. Here's our full review.
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- Our rating
- 4.0/5
- transparent cash pricing
- Results
- <24 hrs
- often same next day
- Visits from
- $34
- lab tests priced separately
- Panel
- 6 STIs
- comprehensive STD panel
Our verdict
Is Sesame worth it?
Sesame is our pick for the lowest-friction cash price. It's a marketplace, not a membership — you see one transparent price up front (no insurance, no surprise bills), pay for a doctor-ordered STD test or a $34+ video visit, and give your sample at a partner lab, often with results in under 24 hours. Its comprehensive panel covers six major STIs, and HSA/FSA is accepted. The trade-offs: exact lab prices aren't shown until you browse a specific listing, the panel doesn't include herpes, and there's no treatment in the same flow — a positive means booking a separate visit. For uninsured, price-conscious testing, it's excellent value.
Check prices at SesameThe full review
Sesame in depth
Our hands-on take on what Sesame gets right, where it falls short, and how it stacks up.
Where the cash-pay math wins
Sesame's edge is that it's a marketplace, not a subscription. You pay one transparent up-front price for a doctor-ordered test — no insurance, no surprise bills — and that price already bundles the lab order, collection and a results read. With samples running through the Quest/Labcorp network, results often land in under 24 hours, which is among the fastest routes anywhere. For an uninsured, price-conscious tester, that combination is hard to beat, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted. If your goal is simply the cheapest defensible test, weigh it against a wider cost breakdown before you commit.
What it won't do for you
Two honest gaps keep Sesame at 4.0 rather than higher. First, the comprehensive panel covers six STIs but leaves out herpes (HSV), so if HSV matters to you, look elsewhere. Second, there's no treatment in the same flow — a positive means booking a separate video visit (from $34) with a clinician who can prescribe. If you'd rather close that loop in one place, PlushCare runs the full doctor-led loop with insurance, and prices aren't shown until you open a specific listing. You can also see how Sesame ranks against the field in our provider reviews.
How it scores
Sesame rated by category
We score every service on the things that actually matter, then weight them into one overall rating.
Overall · out of 5
Price & transparency
4.6/5One up-front cash price, no insurance or surprise bills; among the cheapest routes.
Speed
4.6/5Results often in under 24 hours from collection.
Accuracy
4.6/5Doctor-ordered tests run through major partner labs (Quest/Labcorp network).
Panel breadth
3.8/5Comprehensive 6-STI panel, but herpes isn't included.
Convenience
4.0/5Marketplace model; you still visit a lab for the sample.
Care on positive
3.3/5No treatment in the same flow — you book a separate visit if positive.
Is it right for you?
Who Sesame is — and isn't — for
Choose Sesame if…
- You're uninsured and want the lowest transparent cash price
- You want results fast — often under 24 hours
- You want a doctor-ordered test without a subscription
- You want to pay with HSA/FSA
- You're comfortable booking a separate visit for treatment
Look elsewhere if…
- You want herpes included in the panel (it isn't)
- You want testing and treatment in one step
- You want the price shown without browsing to a specific listing
- You'd rather test at home
The honest take
Sesame pros & cons
Pros
- Transparent cash pricing — no insurance, no surprise bills
- Fast: results often in under 24 hours
- Comprehensive panel covers six major STIs in one order
- Price includes the lab order, collection and a results read
- HSA/FSA accepted; video visits start at $34 if you want a clinician
Cons
- Exact lab-test prices aren't shown until you open a specific listing
- Comprehensive panel doesn't include herpes (HSV)
- No treatment in the same flow — a positive needs a separate visit
- Lab visit required (no at-home collection for the STD panels)
- No insurance billing (cash-pay only; HSA/FSA accepted)
Step by step
How Sesame works
-
1
Find your test
Search the specific STD test or comprehensive panel on Sesame and pick a provider/lab slot at the listed cash price.
-
2
Pay up front
Pay the transparent price (HSA/FSA accepted) — it includes the lab order, collection and a results read.
-
3
Visit a lab
Give your sample at a partner lab (Quest/Labcorp network).
-
4
Get results
Results are delivered digitally, often within 24 hours, with next-step guidance; book a separate visit for treatment if needed.
What it costs
Sesame pricing
Cash-pay only; HSA/FSA accepted. Prices are transparent but shown per listing — individual STD tests and a comprehensive 6-STI panel are available; video visits start at $34.
Comprehensive STD Panel
HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Screens for
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
Before you buy
Sesame: the fine print
- Sample collection
- Blood draw and/or urine at a partner lab
- Insurance & payment
- Cash-pay only; HSA/FSA accepted
- Doctor consult
- Optional video visits from $34; treatment is a separate booking
- Privacy
- HIPAA-compliant platform; cash-pay keeps results off insurance records
Good to Know
Sesame review FAQs
Common questions about Sesame — cost, accuracy, results and how it works.
What is Sesame?
Sesame is a cash-pay healthcare marketplace. Rather than billing insurance or charging a subscription, it lists transparent up-front prices for doctor-ordered lab tests and video visits, including STD testing — you pay once and give your sample at a partner lab.
How much does STD testing cost on Sesame?
Prices are transparent but shown per listing, so you'll see the exact amount when you select a specific test or the comprehensive panel. Video visits start at $34. It's cash-pay, with HSA/FSA accepted and no surprise bills.
How fast are results?
Results are often available in under 24 hours from collection — among the fastest routes — delivered digitally with next-step guidance.
What does the comprehensive panel cover?
HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Herpes (HSV) is not part of the comprehensive panel.
Does Sesame use insurance?
No — Sesame is intentionally cash-pay, which is how it keeps prices transparent and avoids surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Can I get treated through Sesame?
Not in the same step as a lab test. If you test positive, you can book a separate Sesame video visit (from $34) with a clinician who may prescribe treatment.
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
- Sesame — STD testing https://sesamecare.com/lab-test/std-testing
- Sesame — official site https://sesamecare.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 Sesame compares
Sesame versus the other STD testing services we've reviewed, side by side.
| Service | Our rating | Type | Results | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SesameThis review | 4.0 | Lab visit | Often under 24 hours from collection | Transparent cash-pay labs | 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 |
| 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 |
| PlushCare | 3.9 | Clinic & treat | 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up | Virtual doctor visit + treatment | 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 |
SesameThis review
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- Often under 24 hours from collection
- Best for
- Transparent cash-pay labs
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
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
PlushCare
3.9- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up
- Best for
- Virtual doctor visit + treatment
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
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