Best Online Prescription Refill Options in California (2026)
California patients who need a prescription refill have more options than ever — from telehealth platforms to urgent care. As the physician behind Dr. Refills, I'm going to give you an objective comparison of the main options, including honest assessments of where my own service falls short.
The right service depends on your situation: how many medications you need, whether you have insurance, how quickly you need it, and what type of clinician you want reviewing your request.
Bottom line upfront: For a single medication and the lowest per-visit price, GoodRx Care or Sesame are worth comparing. For patients with multiple chronic medications, an uninsured background, or a preference for MD review, Dr. Refills is typically the better fit. Urgent care is rarely the right answer for a routine refill.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Service | Price | Provider Type | Meds per Visit | LegitScript | Async Available | CA-Licensed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Refills | $59 (30-day) $79 (90-day) |
MD (Board-Certified IM) | Unlimited | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| GoodRx Care | $39–$75/visit | MD, NP, PA (varies) | 1 per visit | ✓ Yes | Partial | ✓ Yes |
| PlushCare | $129+/visit (or subscription) |
MD, NP, PA | Varies | ✓ Yes | ✗ No (sync) | ✓ Yes |
| Sesame | $30–$75/visit | MD, NP, PA (varies) | Varies by provider | Varies | ✗ No (sync) | ✓ Yes |
| QuickMD | $75–$149/visit | MD, NP | Varies | Varies | ✗ No (sync) | ✓ Yes |
| Urgent Care (in-person) | $150–$250+ | MD, NP, PA | Varies | N/A | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
Prices are approximate as of May 2026 and may vary. Always verify current pricing on each platform.
Each Service, Honestly Assessed
Dr. Refills — drrefills.com
$59 (30-day) · $79 (90-day) · Unlimited medsA California-only, asynchronous telehealth refill service operated by a single board-certified Internal Medicine physician (ABIM). Every request is personally reviewed — not triaged to an NP or algorithm. The flat fee covers all your chronic medications in one request, with no per-medication surcharges.
Best for: Patients with multiple chronic medications, those without insurance, patients between doctors, or anyone who wants MD-only review of their refill.
Limitations: California only. Does not prescribe controlled substances, does not handle new diagnoses, and does not currently accept insurance for the physician fee. Synchronous video visits are not offered — the review is asynchronous (you submit, physician reviews, decision returned).
- ✓ Unlimited medications per $59 visit
- ✓ Board-certified MD review (ABIM, Internal Medicine)
- ✓ LegitScript certified
- ✓ Free if not approved
- ✓ HSA and FSA accepted
- ✗ California only
- ✗ No controlled substances
- ✗ No video visit option
GoodRx Care
$39–$75/visit · 1 medicationGoodRx Care (formerly HeyDoctor) offers low-cost telehealth visits starting at $39. It is one of the most widely known options and covers a range of conditions. The platform uses a mix of physicians, NPs, and PAs depending on your state and condition.
Best for: Patients needing a single medication refill at the lowest possible price, or those who are already GoodRx users comfortable with the platform.
Limitations: Per-visit pricing applies to one medication — patients with multiple chronic conditions will pay multiple times or may find Dr. Refills more economical. GoodRx Care limits refill visits to once per 12 months per patient for many conditions. Provider type (MD vs NP/PA) varies and is not always disclosed upfront.
PlushCare
$129+/visit or $19.99/month subscriptionPlushCare offers synchronous video visits with physicians and NPs. It accepts insurance for some plans and has a subscription model for frequent users. Video visits run about 15 minutes and can address multiple issues in one appointment.
Best for: Patients who prefer face-to-face video interaction and may have insurance that covers telehealth visits. Also useful if you need a general telehealth primary care relationship rather than a one-time refill.
Limitations: Higher price for cash-pay patients. Video visits require scheduling, which reduces the "any hour" convenience of async services. The subscription model adds ongoing cost if you only need occasional refills.
Sesame
$30–$75/visit · Provider variesSesame is a marketplace model — you choose from a list of individual providers who set their own prices and policies. Some offer very low-cost visits; quality and credential level vary significantly by provider.
Best for: Patients who want to comparison-shop among providers and are comfortable evaluating individual provider profiles. Prices can be very competitive for simple refill needs.
Limitations: Inconsistent quality — the marketplace model means you need to vet each provider individually. Medication limits, pricing, and policies vary by provider. Not all providers are LegitScript certified.
Urgent Care (In-Person)
$150–$250+ · No medication limitIn-person urgent care centers can prescribe medications and handle a full clinical evaluation. Some accept insurance. Wait times are typically 30–90 minutes.
Best for: Patients who need a refill AND have a new symptom, need an exam, or are dealing with a situation that genuinely warrants in-person evaluation. Also appropriate if you don't have a California address for telehealth purposes.
Limitations: Most expensive option by a significant margin. Time-consuming. Generally overkill for a stable chronic medication refill with no new symptoms.
How to Choose the Right Option for Your Situation
Choose Dr. Refills if:
You have 2+ chronic medications and want all of them handled in one flat-fee visit. You don't have insurance or prefer not to use it for this visit. You want a board-certified MD reviewing your request (not NP/PA). You live in California and can't easily get to a doctor's office.
Choose GoodRx Care if:
You need a refill for a single medication and want the lowest possible per-visit price. You have used GoodRx before and are comfortable with the platform. You don't mind the once-per-12-months limitation for many conditions.
Choose PlushCare if:
You have insurance that covers telehealth. You prefer a video visit with a real-time conversation. You want an ongoing telehealth primary care relationship rather than a one-time refill.
Choose Sesame if:
You want to compare prices across individual providers and are willing to spend time vetting who you choose. You may find very low-cost options if you're flexible.
Choose Urgent Care if:
You have a new symptom alongside your refill need. You need an in-person exam. You're in a situation that genuinely requires physical evaluation — not just a prescription renewal.
What to Look for in Any Online Refill Service
Before using any telehealth refill platform, verify these five things:
- LegitScript certification — the industry standard for online healthcare providers. Verify at legitscript.com.
- California-licensed providers — the physician or NP must be licensed in California to prescribe to California patients.
- Transparent pricing — total cost should be clear before you submit. Avoid platforms that don't disclose pricing upfront.
- No charge if not approved — legitimate services don't charge you if they can't safely fill your request.
- Clear medication list — know what the platform can and cannot prescribe before you start.
Multiple Chronic Meds? One Flat Fee Covers Them All.
Dr. Refills handles all your stable chronic medications in a single $59 visit — reviewed by a board-certified internist, sent to your pharmacy within 1 hour. Free if not approved.
Start my refill request →Frequently Asked Questions
For a single medication, GoodRx Care at $39 is among the lowest-priced options. For patients with multiple chronic medications, Dr. Refills at $59 (unlimited medications) is often more economical than paying $39+ per medication per visit at other platforms.
Most direct-pay refill services (including Dr. Refills) do not bill insurance for the physician fee. The visit is cash-pay. However, the prescription itself is sent to your pharmacy, where your insurance may cover the medication cost. PlushCare accepts some insurance plans for the visit fee.
It depends on the service. Dr. Refills allows unlimited chronic medications in a single $59 visit. GoodRx Care and several others limit to one medication per visit. If you take multiple chronic medications, confirm the platform's policy before starting.
Yes, for the right patients. Online refill services are appropriate for stable patients on established chronic medications with no new symptoms. Key safety signals: LegitScript certification, California-licensed providers, a clear list of what they won't prescribe, and no charge if not approved.
Most common chronic medications — antihypertensives, statins, diabetes medications, thyroid medications, antidepressants, acid reflux medications, and many others — can be refilled online. Controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants) cannot be prescribed online in California under current law.