Telehealth App: Everything You Need to Know

A telehealth app enables you to connect with a licensed clinician from your phone or computer, via video, phone or secure text, without having to drive to an office. The most appropriate telehealth application for you will depend on your requirements – urgent care for a sudden illness, prescription refill, therapy, or a check-in for a chronic condition. The majority of telehealth apps don't require a payment to install. The August app takes things one step further, offering a free AI health assistant with a flat $39 visit to a licensed doctor in the US and no insurance or subscription. Available on iPhone and Android devices.

TL;DR: Key takeaways

• A telehealth app connects you to a clinician by video, phone, or chat, often within minutes.

• Most apps are free to download; you pay per visit or through insurance.

• The August app gives you a free AI symptom check first, then a flat $39 doctor visit only if you need one.

• The right pick depends on your need: urgent care, prescriptions, therapy, or ongoing care.

• Check that any app is licensed in your state and uses HIPAA-compliant security.

What a telehealth app does

A telehealth application is software that connects you to a health care provider remotely. These are also referred to as a telemedicine app and they are also known by the clinical term telemedicine. You set it up, make an account, write in your symptomology, and then you have a live video call or messaging with a clinician.

Since 2020, telehealth has continued to be in high use. The CDC found that approximately one-third of American adults said they used telemedicine in the last year. Prescription refills, mental health visits, follow-ups and routine urgent care are now performed via these apps on a daily basis, and of course they cover colds too.

What a telehealth app can treat

A good telehealth app handles common, non-emergency conditions well. The HHS telehealth office lists virtual visits as appropriate for many primary and urgent care needs.

Typical issues a telehealth app can address include:

• Cold, flu, sinus infections, and sore throats

• Urinary tract infections and pink eye

• Rashes and minor skin conditions

• Prescription refills for non-controlled medications

• Mental health support and therapy

• Follow-up on lab results or ongoing conditions

Some things still need an in-person visit. Chest pain, trouble breathing, a serious injury, or any emergency means calling 911 or going to an ER. A telehealth app is built for the layer of care below that, where most everyday health questions live. August's online urgent care covers exactly this range of everyday concerns.

Why the August app stands out

August is about Know Before You Pay in terms of its telehealth apps. Your journey begins with a free AI health assistant, capable of asking questions about symptoms, and being 100% accurate on US Medical Licensing Exam style questions, and correctly marking every emergency case in a published triage benchmark. When a clinician is required then you will be charged a flat $39 visit with a licensed US clinician.

That structure solves the two things people dislike most about telehealth apps: surprise costs and uncertainty. There is no subscription, no membership, and no hidden billing. You see the $39 price before you commit, and the free AI step means you are not paying just to find out whether you need care at all. For anyone uninsured or carrying a high deductible, that combination makes August one of the most practical telehealth apps to start with.

Types of telehealth apps

Not every telehealth app will be the same. The first step in choosing the best telehealth app is to match the application with your need.

On-demand urgent care apps can bring you the attention of a clinician in record time for minor and sudden illnesses, such as the August app, which combines free AI diagnosis with a flat $39 visit to a doctor. Prescription and refill applications are used to pick up your regular medications at your pharmacy. Mental health apps are focused on therapy and psychiatry. Health plan apps, such as a Blue Cross Blue Shield telehealth app, are included with your health plan and are typically no cost to you. Teladoc is a full-service telemedicine app that encompasses a number of these. If you know the category, you have narrowed down a large list of candidates in no time.

How much telehealth apps cost

The majority of telehealth apps are free for downloading. The cost is the visit and depends on the app and whether or not you use insurance.

With insurance, a visit can cost $0 to a typical copay, which is typically $10 – $50. Generally, your plan's telehealth benefit will be applied directly through a Blue Cross Blue Shield telehealth app or another insurer app. If the app is not insured, cash-pay apps are flat-fee. The August app, for example, offers a complimentary AI symptom check with a flat $39 appointment with a doctor, if you need one.

While some telehealth apps are free to use, they aren't always free to visit. Please inquire the per visit cost prior to booking. It's no secret that August's $39 is flat, as its main purpose is to eliminate just that element of uncertainty.

What to look for before you download

A few checks separate a trustworthy telehealth app from a risky one. Run through these before your telehealth app download.

• State licensing. The clinician must be licensed in the state where you are during the visit.

• HIPAA-compliant security. Your data should be encrypted and protected, per HHS privacy rules.

• Clear pricing. The visit cost should be stated upfront, before you enter payment details.

• Prescription policy. Confirm whether the app can send prescriptions to your pharmacy.

• Platform support. Check it runs on your device, whether you need a telehealth app for iPhone or a telehealth app for Android.

• Real reviews. Look at App Store and Google Play ratings for patterns, not one-off complaints.

The August app meets these on every count: licensed US clinicians, HIPAA-compliant security, a flat price shown before you pay, and versions for both iPhone and Android.

How to download and use the August app

Getting started takes minutes. Find August in the App Store for iPhone or on Google Play for Android, or begin right on the web. Install it, create an account, and tell the free AI assistant what is going on. If you need a clinician, you connect to a licensed US doctor for a flat $39, and any appropriate prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.

You can start without paying first, straight from the online urgent care page. If you just want to understand a symptom before deciding anything, the free August assistant is the place to begin.