Talking about sexual health with your doctor may seem too uncomfortable a conversation, but sexual health concerns like erectile dysfunction (ED) often involve a thorough workup.
“Patients can expect a detailed evaluation that looks beyond just the symptoms of ED to understand its underlying causes,” said Jamin Brahmbatt, urologist at Orlando Health in Clermont, Florida. A discussion of your medical history, including sexual health, physical examinations, and blood tests are not uncommon ways doctors can assess for ED.
Most ED can be diagnosed and managed effectively through telehealth, according to Brahmbhatt. “Telehealth has also allowed the prescription of ED medications and the recommendation of lifestyle modifications, providing a less intimidating, more convenient way for patients to get treatment,” he said.
Many men* feel hesitant to get treatment for ED, but telehealth platforms allow users to seek care comfortably and privately. (1) PlushCare is an online platform that offers ED care. We reviewed the platform to give you a full picture of its ED treatment offerings.
*For brevity, we refer to all people assigned male at birth as men throughout this guide.
Key product features
What you should know
- Same-day telehealth appointments are available in all 50 states on PlushCare.
- A PlushCare membership costs $16.99 per month and can cover up to five adults.
- PlushCare takes insurance, but not Medicare or Medicaid plans.
- The platform doesn’t prescribe controlled substances or injectable medications to treat ED.
Our PlushCare experience
PlushCare is a telehealth platform that offers virtual visits for urgent care, primary care, and mental health. Users can find same-day appointments with a licensed doctor or therapist in their state and can message their care team through the platform’s portal. It was easy to sign up for an appointment, and our product tester liked that they could see provider availability and reviews before booking.
Provider availability may vary depending on your location, but it may not seem like it on PlushCare. For example, when we searched for telehealth visits in Alaska, we saw three providers available, but the platform repeated the listings indefinitely and it seemed like more than just three providers available to book.
If you have questions about the PlushCare platform, we found that messaging your care coordinators or emailing info@plushcare.com was the best way to do so. Care coordinators on PlushCare are available 24/7, but they respond within two to three days, according to the platform.
We prefer talking to customer service representatives over phone lines, but we found the hold times with PlushCare were inconveniently long. Despite the phone system announcing the average wait time between seven to 11 minutes, there were times when our product testers waited up to 30 minutes before trying to reach PlushCare customer service another way.
Our expert opinion
PlushCare can be a good option if you’re looking for ED care online but prefer a live, virtual visit with a doctor. (2) The providers aren’t urology specialists, but they are trained in primary care and can diagnose and treat ED. If you have multiple health concerns or are already taking other medications, we recommend discussing these, along with your ED concerns, with your PlushCare provider to receive the best recommendations for your case.
You will find some limitations to the ED care that PlushCare can provide. Though phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are options for first-line treatment for ED (3), PlushCare doctors don’t offer the full range of ED treatments. The platform’s providers don’t prescribe testosterone or penile injection medications such as alprostadil and Trimix. The platform also doesn’t prescribe controlled substances such as alprazolam, a drug used to treat anxiety.
PlushCare doesn’t offer medication delivery, so if you’re looking for medication delivery, we recommend looking into Hims. Hims is a telehealth platform that specializes in men’s health, including offering ED treatment. Users don’t get to choose their providers on Hims, but they receive free consultations and can message their providers anytime.
Special considerations of erectile dysfunction medication for older adults
Viagra and Cialis may be ineffective or dangerous based on your health history and current medications. Dr. Neil Paulvin, a multiple board-certified physician, advises patients to get labs done to assess for any abnormalities.
Some of the most common chronic conditions affecting older adults—including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes—can damage penile blood vessels and nerves, leading to new or worsening ED that doesn’t respond to Viagra or Cialis. (4) Fortunately, several other ED treatments are available, including penile injections, vacuum erection devices, intraurethral gels or suppositories, and a discreet penile prosthesis. (5)
ED can also appear as one of the first symptoms of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, anxiety, and other chronic health concerns. (6) If you haven’t had a physical exam within the last year, don’t try to get ED medication online. Visit your doctor in person to ensure underlying conditions are diagnosed and treated alongside ED.
Who shouldn’t take Viagra or Cialis
Viagra and Cialis shouldn’t be taken with some of the medications that are used to treat chest pain, high blood pressure (7), or lower urinary tract symptoms. Viagra should also be avoided in men taking protease inhibitors—a specific class of medications used to treat HIV.
Combining nitrates or alpha-blockers with ED pills may cause a severe, life-threatening drop in blood pressure, which can be associated with feeling dizzy, fainting, falling, and even death. (8)
This is not a complete list of medications contraindicated with Viagra and Cialis. Talk to your provider about everything you take—including recreational drugs—when discussing potential ED treatments.
Cialis and Viagra also shouldn’t be taken without physician supervision by people with low resting blood pressure, uncontrolled high blood pressure (9), inherited disorders of the eye or retina, recent heart attack or stroke, or uncontrolled heart disease. Cialis and Viagra may exacerbate abdominal pain in men with stomach ulcers.
What is PlushCare erectile dysfunction treatment?
ED treatment on PlushCare consists of a telehealth visit with a PlushCare provider. Online ED care visits are with primary and urgent care providers, but there aren’t urology specialists on the platform. If your PlushCare provider prescribes an ED treatment, you can send your prescription to any pharmacy to pick it up or get it delivered. The platform doesn’t deliver any prescription medications or OTC ED treatments.
PlushCare membership
PlushCare offers a membership that gives you more convenience and access to discounted healthcare services for a monthly fee. It costs $16.99 per month and includes the following features:
- You can book your own appointments
- Same-day appointments are available seven days a week
- Unlimited messaging with your Care Team
- A prescription discount card for prescription medications
- Discounted lab tests
- Free membership for up to five adult members of your family
PlushCare erectile dysfunction treatment cost
A visit with an online ED care provider on PlushCare can cost as low as your insurance co-pay. PlushCare has providers in-network with multiple insurance plans, but not Medicare or Medicaid. Without insurance, each visit costs $129.
The PlushCare membership is free for 30 days after booking your first appointment, then it’s $16.99 per month. Your insurance does not cover the membership fee.
PlushCare offers a military discount for veterans and active military members paying without insurance. Veterans can get virtual visits for $49 after uploading their military ID to the messaging portal in the PlushCare app.
The cost of your ED medication isn’t included with PlushCare costs.
How to sign up for PlushCare erectile dysfunction treatment
Here’s how to get virtual ED treatment on PlushCare:
- Select “Book an appointment” from the top right-hand corner of the PlushCare website.
- Select whether you’ll be using your insurance to pay for your visit.
- Enter your insurance provider and the state you’ll be attending your visit.
- Choose a provider to book with based on your desired appointment time, provider profiles, and provider reviews.
- Select how you’ll pay for the visit again. If you’re using your insurance benefits to pay for the visit, you’ll enter your plan details here.
- Review your total costs and enter your payment method.
- Enter your reason for visiting and select “Book appointment and enroll.”
- Wait for a confirmation email or text for instructions on how to join your telehealth session.
You can cancel or reschedule your appointment up to two hours before your scheduled time for free. If you cancel or reschedule your appointment within two hours of your appointment time, you’ll be charged a $50 fee. PlushCare charges a $50 fee if you miss your appointment.
You can attend PlushCare visits from your computer browser or from the PlushCare app. You’ll need a stable internet connection, a device with a working camera and microphone, and a private space to attend your appointment with the best quality. (10)
PlushCare contact and payment information
Customer service
You can reach PlushCare customer service by:
- Phone: Call 888-901-7735, available 24/7
- Email: info@plushcare.com
- Messaging portal: After creating an account, you can message care coordinators through a portal at https://my.plushcare.com/messaging
Payment options
PlushCare takes payment by credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for visits and membership fees.
It also takes several major insurance plans for its provider visits, including plans from the following providers:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Humana
- Meritain Health
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
- United Healthcare
PlushCare is not yet in network with Medicare or Medicaid plans.
How we score erectile dysfunction treatments
Navigating the vast array of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments available today can be challenging. With so many options claiming to offer relief, it’s crucial to have a reliable way to determine which treatments are most effective and suitable for your needs. Our goal is to provide clear, accurate, and comprehensive reviews grounded in a robust scoring methodology and insights from leading experts. We aim to guide you in making informed decisions that enhance your sexual health and overall well-being. Read our full erectile dysfunction treatment scoring methodology for further information on each factor.
Efficacy and reliability—40%
Efficacy and reliability are the foundation of our ED treatment evaluations. The primary focus for anyone seeking treatment is to restore or improve erectile function effectively.
Here’s what we look for:
- Treatment efficacy
- Onset of action
- Consistency
- Side effects
- Clinical support
Ease of use and accessibility—30%
Ease of use and accessibility are critical components of any successful erectile dysfunction treatment regimen. A treatment’s effectiveness can be significantly impacted by how easily it can be integrated into a user’s daily life.
We assess:
- Application process
- Dosage flexibility
- Instruction clarity
- Convenience
- Support resources
Value—20%
The value of ED treatments includes the initial cost, long-term financial implications, and overall cost-effectiveness. While effectiveness and ease of use are paramount, the economic impact of a treatment must be considered.
We evaluate:
- Cost of the treatment
- Insurance coverage
- Long-term cost analysis
- Warranty
Customer experience—10%
In order to ensure a positive customer experience, users need to feel informed and supported throughout their treatment journey. While efficacy, ease of use, and value are critical, how a user interacts with a treatment provider—from the initial purchase through ongoing support—can significantly influence their overall satisfaction and adherence to the treatment.
Our factors in this rating include:
- Customer service
- Delivery and packaging
- Return policy
Bottom line
PlushCare is a good option if you’re looking for a same-day telehealth visit for your ED concerns. The platform takes insurance for its visits, which is a plus, but you can’t use your insurance benefits to pay for its monthly membership fee. Though the platform was fairly easy to sign up for and use, our Reviews Team didn’t like that customer service could be hard to reach on the few occasions we tried to clarify details about the platform.
PlushCare doesn’t deliver medication, so if you’re prescribed an ED medication, you can choose where to send your prescription.
The platform doesn’t offer the full range of ED treatments available, so if you have multiple health concerns, are taking other medications, or are interested in learning more about other ED treatments, you may be able to get more comprehensive care from your doctor or urology specialist.
PlushCare vs. other ED treatments
|
|
|
|
|
| PlushCare | Blink Health | Ro | Hims Cialis | |
| Rating | ||||
| Price | $16.99 per month for membership | $10 per prescription; $10 consultation fee | $48 – $120 (depends on plan) | $958/month |
| FDA approved | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Form | Tablets | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet |
| Dose | Varies | Varies | One every 24 hours (as needed) | One tablet every 24 hours (as needed) |
| Key ingredients | Sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil | Varies | Sildenafil, tadalafil | Tadalafil |
FAQs
Is PlushCare a scam or a legit company?
PlushCare is a legitimate telehealth company founded in 2015. It offers virtual visits with licensed healthcare providers and is available in all 50 states.
What does PlushCare treat?
PlushCare offers virtual visits for urgent care, mental health, online therapy, sexual health, weight loss, and primary care.
Does PlushCare take insurance?
Yes, PlushCare providers are in-network with some major insurance plans, including Humana, Aetna, and United Healthcare.
Our experts
Dr. Neil Paulvin, DO.
Dr. Neil Paulvin, DO., is a multiple board-certified physician with certifications in Family Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulation, and Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. His practice in Manhattan combines traditional and alternative medicine to help patients live a healthy lifestyle and perform at their best. He has helped Fortune 500 executives, Olympic athletes, top trainers, and A-list celebrities optimize their health, recover faster from injury, and improve their sports performance.
Heather Morsellino
Heather Morsellino is a freelance writer and fact-checker with over four years of experience in healthcare. She has worked as a pharmacy technician, emergency room medical scribe, and anesthesia technician in the operating room and will finish her ADN within the following year.
Vanessa Ling, ND, CNS
Fortune Recommends Writer
About Author
Vanessa Ling, ND, CNS, is a health writer, licensed naturopathic doctor, and certified nutrition specialist. She has a passion for all things that build long-term health and wellness. Her mission is to educate her patients and readers not only on the foundations of health but also on the best products and services that support whole-person wellness. She brings her clinical expertise to researching and writing stories about sleep, nutrition, and mental health. To date, she’s researched more than 95 adjustable bed models, 70 online therapy platforms, and 65 meal delivery kit brands.