Telehealth Wait Times Compared: We Timed 15 Platforms From Signup to Prescription
We created accounts on 15 telehealth platforms and measured the time from first click to prescription sent. The range was 47 minutes to 6 days.
Why we measured this
Every telehealth platform claims to be fast. Few define what "fast" means. We wanted concrete numbers: how long does it actually take from creating an account to receiving a prescription at your pharmacy? The answer varies by an order of magnitude depending on the platform and the condition.
How we tested
We created new accounts on 15 telehealth platforms in April 2026 and completed intake for the same condition (uncomplicated adult sinusitis with classic symptoms) on each. We measured four milestones: account creation to intake completion, intake completion to clinician assignment, clinician assignment to prescription decision, and prescription decision to pharmacy receipt.
The fastest: under 2 hours
Three platforms delivered prescriptions to a pharmacy within two hours of intake submission. All three used asynchronous models — no video call required. The fastest was 47 minutes from first click to prescription received at pharmacy. These platforms accomplish this by having clinicians review intakes in near-real-time during business hours.
The middle tier: 4–24 hours
Seven platforms fell in the 4–24 hour range. Most required scheduling a video visit, which introduced wait time based on clinician availability. Some offered same-day video appointments; others had next-day as the earliest option. The video visit itself typically lasted 5–10 minutes for an uncomplicated condition.
The slowest: 2–6 days
Five platforms took two days or longer. The delays came from several sources: clinician review queues, required follow-up questions before prescribing, pharmacy verification steps, and in two cases, technical issues with e-prescribing. One platform required a second consultation after the initial intake, adding 48 hours.
What slows things down
The biggest bottleneck across all platforms is clinician availability. Platforms with larger clinician networks generally process intakes faster. Other delay factors include the time of day (evening and weekend submissions wait longer), controlled substance verification, insurance processing, and state-specific requirements for video visits.
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Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed clinician before starting any treatment.