The Bottom Line
MDLive is similar to Amwell—a clinical telehealth platform with insurance integration—but with one standout feature: pediatric psychiatry for children as young as 10. This fills a massive gap, as most online psychiatry platforms are adult-only. MDLive also lets you toggle between mental health and medical urgent care within the same app. Best for families needing child psychiatry or users wanting an integrated healthcare platform.
Why Pediatric Psychiatry Matters
Finding a child psychiatrist is notoriously difficult. Wait times of 6+ months are common. Many areas have zero pediatric psychiatrists within driving distance. And most telehealth platforms don't serve kids at all.
MDLive offers psychiatry for children ages 10 and up—one of the few online options available. For parents desperate to get their child evaluated and potentially medicated for ADHD, anxiety, or depression, this can be a lifeline.
Pricing
Cash-Pay Pricing
| Therapy Session | $108 - $179 |
| Psychiatry (Initial) | ~$284 |
| Psychiatry (Follow-up) | ~$108 |
| Insurance | Cigna, BCBS, Aetna, many more |
Cash-pay prices are high—psychiatry initial evaluations at nearly $300 add up. But with insurance, you'll often pay just a copay. MDLive is best for insured users.
Key Features
Pediatric Psychiatry (10+)
MDLive is one of the few telehealth platforms offering psychiatric care for children as young as 10. This includes medication evaluation and management for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and more.
Integrated Healthcare Platform
Beyond behavioral health, MDLive offers urgent care, dermatology, and other medical services. You can toggle between mental health and medical appointments within the same app—useful if you want consolidated virtual care.
Reliable Technical Infrastructure
Users consistently praise MDLive's technical stability. Video connections are reliable, the app works smoothly, and appointments generally start on time. For telehealth, this matters more than it sounds.
What Users Say
What People Like
- Pediatric psychiatry option (rare in telehealth)
- Reliable, stable video technology
- Wide insurance acceptance
- One app for medical + mental health
Common Complaints
- Expensive without insurance (psychiatry nearly $300)
- Pricing transparency issues—vague until you sign up
- No messaging therapy—sessions only
- Interface feels clinical rather than friendly
MDLive vs. Amwell
MDLive and Amwell are very similar—both are clinical telehealth platforms with insurance integration and per-session pricing. The key differences:
- MDLive: Offers pediatric psychiatry (10+), generally better technical reliability
- Amwell: Larger provider network in some areas, more hospital system integrations
For families needing child psychiatry, MDLive is the clear choice.
Who Should Consider MDLive
- Parents seeking psychiatry for children/teens (10+)
- Users with good insurance wanting clinical-grade care
- People who want one platform for medical + behavioral health
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Adults without insurance (too expensive out-of-pocket)
- Users wanting messaging therapy or modern app experience
- Those seeking therapy-only without medication needs
Final Verdict
MDLive's killer feature is pediatric psychiatry access. If you're a parent who's been waiting months for a child psychiatry appointment, MDLive may be your fastest path to care.
For adults, it's a solid clinical telehealth option similar to Amwell—professional, reliable, insurance-integrated, but lacking the consumer-friendly features of therapy-focused platforms. Best with insurance; too expensive without.