In a Nutshell
pros
- One flat monthly rate
- Unlimited access to your doctor
- Available 24/7/365
cons
- Available only in 20 states currently
- Insurance doesn’t cover subscription
Sherpaa at a Glance
How Can I Get Treatment?: Phone, video chat
Urgent Care Fee: Flat fee $99/month
Accepted Insurance: Does not accept insurance, but does partner with employers and health plans
Medications Prescribed: Yes, most prescriptions excluding controlled substances
Hour of Operation: 24/7
Follow up Consultations: Included in subscription
How Does Sherpaa Work?
Sherpaa works with episodes of care. These are basically threads that contain all of the information about each of your specific medical issues. Each episode may include virtual visits, prescriptions, test orders, results, and referrals. An episode of care can typically last anywhere from 3 days to 3 months, depending on the condition or reason for the visit. We like this feature because it gives patients and doctors a full, panoramic view of the medical condition instantly, making treatment more complete and smoother.
Start by signing up for the membership option of your choice. Sherpaa will send you an activation email that you can click on to create your account. When you need a doctor, you’ll start your episode of care by choosing from a main menu that includes options, like:
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I am sick
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I am hurt
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I have a chronic health concern
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I have a mental health question
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I need a referral to a specialist
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I need a prescription or refill
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I need surgery or a test
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I have a different concern
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I need to speak to a doctor now
Then, you’ll be referred to a doctor who will handle your episode of care until it is completed. Once an episode of care is opened, you can perform several actions, including:
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Send messages and ask questions of your doctor
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Share photos, results, or details with your doctor
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Call your doctor or urgent care
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Order and review lab tests
We really like that these actions are unlimited for the length of your subscription. It gives you the assurance that there’s a doctor on call whenever you need one.
What Does Sherpaa Treat?
Sherpaa physicians are able to treat more than 1,500 regular health conditions, including mental health issues, chronic conditions, and skin conditions. Here’s a list of some of the medical conditions Sherpaa’s Virtual Primary Care doctors can treat:
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Sore throat
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Sexually transmitted infections
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Cold and flu symptoms
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Vomiting
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Injuries
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Neck pain
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Depression
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Migraines
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Birth control refills
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Sexually transmitted infections
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Urinary tract infections
The list is pretty extensive. At the same time, there are several things that Sherpaa cannot do or treat. For example:
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No physical exams
No minor primary care procedures that are usually performed in an office (such as burning off warts)
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No prescriptions for controlled substances (pain killers, ADHD meds, etc.)
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No in-office, CLIA-waived tests (such as rapid strep or UTI tests)
How Much Does Sherpaa Cost?
Sherpaa offers 2 types of plans: a monthly plan and an annual plan. Monthly is a good choice if you want to test out the service because it is only $99 and gives you the ability to see exactly how Sherpaa works. $99 is on the higher end of the industry average, though, so if you already know you like telehealth services, then Sherpaa’s annual plans are much more economical.
There are 3 annual plan options. Here's how each of them compares:
Price
$99 per month
$270 per year
$500 per year
$800 per year
$1200 per year
Average response time
2 hours
Less than 30 minutes
Less than 30 minutes
Less than 30 minutes
Less than 30 minutes
Prescriptions and tests in-app
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Use health accounts
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Check-ins by the doctor
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Direct doctor phone number
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Specialist appointments made for you
No
No
No
No
Yes
First meeting via video
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yearly video preventative visits
No
No
No
No
Yes
Personalized prevention plans
No
No
No
No
Yes
With the most basic annual plan, you basically get 6 months free (when compared to the monthly plan). So, it's obviously the better deal if you're comparing plans. If you are the kind of person who likes to clarify medical questions, has a chronic medical condition, or visits the doctor frequently, an unlimited plan like Sherpaa is the most cost-efficient option.
The major benefit of having a subscription-based pricing structure is that patients get as much care and treatment as they want or need without having to worry about the costs. It's a flat rate, regardless of how much work or interaction is required from doctors.
Does Sherpaa Take Insurance?
Sherpaa is not covered by typical health insurance providers. You can get reimbursement through several employer-driven benefit plans, including FSAs. According to Sherpaa, VPC is meant to work alongside your health insurance to help prevent more expensive procedures later on down the road.
What Do People Say About Sherpaa?
“Super helpful in getting my medications filled and getting me a referral to finally address a long chronic issue. My doctor even called me personally to address concerns. 10/10 on service.” A.A.
“Dr. Gonnella and her team have been incredibly helpful and supportive. Their responsiveness, expertise, and level of care have left me with nothing but gratitude for the impeccable service. This is how modern medicine should work! Thank you!” M. T.
“Prompt and easy. It was so nice to get antibiotics for a UTI over the weekend instead of having to live with it until I could make a doctors appointment.” S.C
Sherpaa FAQs
Q: Does Sherpaa prescribe medicine?
A: Yes
Q: Can Sherpaa give me a doctor’s note?
A: Yes
Q: Do I need a subscription for Sherpaa?
A: Yes. There are monthly and annual subscriptions available.
Q: What hours does Sherpaa have appointments available?
A: 24/7
Bottom Line
Sherpaa is a virtual primary care service that provides medical care to those who are looking for a cost-efficient alternative to expensive urgent care units or emergency rooms. It is also a good option if you are in search of a more convenient method of seeing a physician since all appointments are made over the phone or video chat. Sherpaa lets you access your physician via the app whenever you want, and there is continuous care throughout the process.