Costco to Offer Virtual Medical Care for as Low as $29

Many people associate Costco with affordable groceries and toilet paper. But the warehouse club giant offers members a host of services that can save them money on things like travel, home improvements, and even cars. And now, Costco members will be able to save money on medical care through a new and helpful offering.

Affordable medical care for those who need it

Healthcare can be a huge expense for Americans of all ages. Now, Costco is doing its part to make it less expensive.

Costco recently partnered with healthcare platform Sesame to offer members the option of virtual primary care visits for as low as $29. A more involved standard lab panel and virtual follow-up consultation with a provider will cost just $72, while online mental health visits will cost $79. Members can also enjoy additional savings on specialty healthcare appointments.

Should you use Costco's new healthcare service?

One thing you should know about Costco's new platform is that health insurance is not accepted on it. The primary purpose of it is to offer affordable medical care to people who are uninsured. You'll need to run the numbers to see if it makes sense to use Costco's platform if you're someone who's covered by insurance.

Let's say you need a visit with a primary care physician because you're not feeling well. Your copay under your insurance plan might be $20 or $25. So even if Costco's service offers that same service for $29, in this case, you're looking at a lower cost under your insurance.

Costco may be more convenient

If money isn't particularly tight, there's the convenience factor to consider, too. Having a virtual visit might help you avoid missed work time. So it could sometimes make sense to spend an extra few dollars.

Also, some health insurance companies reimburse enrollees for out-of-network services. So let's say you can't find a virtual provider who takes your insurance. You could, in that case, book an appointment through Sesame and try to get reimbursed by your insurer if your plan allows for that.

You might also, in some cases, find that it's more cost effective to use Costco's offering if your health insurance plan comes with a high deductible. Let's say you have to meet a $1,500 deductible and need a standard lab panel and follow-up to determine what's been ailing you. Under your insurance, the cost there might be $300 or $400. And if you haven't yet met your deductible for the year, you'll have to pay that $300 or $400 yourself.

With Costco's offering, you may be looking at $72 instead. So in some cases, even if you are insured, it could make more financial sense to go through Costco for medical care. You'll need to make that determination on a case-by-case basis, though, if you're covered by an insurance plan.

Costco is constantly trying to find ways to offer great value to its members. And its latest healthcare service is yet another example of that. If you've been on the fence about joining Costco, make sure to keep this new benefit in mind, as it may be just the thing that makes the cost of a membership worth it to you.