“
“The quality of care has been really good, we're really glad we found our doctor when our local place stopped accepting patients.”
Medi-Cal Accepted - Starting at $0 for Eligible Members
See a Board-Eligible
Clinician This Week.
Starting at $0 with
Your Medi-Cal Plan.
If you're on Medi-Cal in California, TalkDoc connects you with a clinician. Visits start at $0 for eligible members. No waitlist, no driving, just your phone.
Check If My Plan QualifiesVisits start at $0 for eligible Medi-Cal members. Some medications or services outside your plan may have separate costs.
DR. DRE VIDEO
Dr. Dre Irizarry, MD
Board-Certified Psychiatrist - TalkDoc
7 days
avg. to first
appointment
appointment
$0
cost with eligible
Medi-Cal plan
Medi-Cal plan
How the billing actually works
Wait - This Is Really Free?
Yes. Here's the straight answer.
For eligible Medi-Cal members, psychiatric visits through TalkDoc start at $0 - your plan covers them. Some medications or services not covered by your plan may have separate costs, and we'll always be upfront about those before anything happens.
1
Your Medi-Cal plan covers psychiatric visitsCalifornia Medi-Cal includes coverage for outpatient psychiatry and therapy - video visits, medication management, regular check-ins. Most people do not realize this benefit is already theirs.
2
We bill your plan directly - you're never involvedTalkDoc is in-network with Alameda Alliance, SF Health Plan, and Central California Alliance for Health. We handle the billing. You never see an invoice.
3
Visits start at $0 - we're upfront about anything extraCovered visits cost you nothing. If any medication or service falls outside your Medi-Cal plan, we'll tell you the cost before it happens. No surprises.
Accepted Medi-Cal Plans
If your plan is listed below, your TalkDoc visits start at $0. Some medications or out-of-plan services may have separate costs - we will always tell you first.
Alameda Alliance for Health
Alameda County
Yes
San Francisco Health Plan
San Francisco County
Yes
Central California Alliance for Health
Santa Cruz, Monterey, Merced
Yes
$0
Starting cost for eligible Medi-Cal membersCovered visits: $0. Extra services or medications billed transparently, always upfront.
Why TalkDoc
TalkDoc vs. Other Services
We win on every dimension that matters to Medi-Cal patients.
| TalkDoc | BetterHelp / Talkspace | Community Clinic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost with Medi-Cal | $0 / week | $25-$100/week out-of-pocket | $0 but limited slots |
| Doctor type | Board-eligible Clinician | Therapists/coaches | Mix - often NPs or interns |
| Wait time to first visit | Within 7 days | Varies - no guarantees | Weeks to months |
| Video appointments | Yes - all visits | Limited video, mostly text | In-person only, mostly |
| Prescription access | Yes - clinicians can prescribe | No (therapists cannot prescribe) | Depends on provider |
| Insurance accepted | Medi-Cal (in-network) | Not Medi-Cal | Limited plans |
| Off-hours scheduling | Yes - fits your schedule | Business hours only | Business hours only |
Simple process
Three Steps to Your First Appointment
From today to your first session in less than a week.
1
Check Your Plan
Answer 4 quick questions to confirm your Medi-Cal plan qualifies. No insurance card needed right now - just your plan name.
Takes 2 minutes2
Match with a Clinician
We match you with a board-eligible clinician based on what you're going through. You'll receive your match confirmation within 24 hours.
Within 24 hours3
Have Your First Appointment
Meet your clinician on a secure video call - from your phone, tablet, or computer. Wherever feels comfortable for you.
Within 7 daysReal patients, real outcomes
What Patients Are Saying
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“I really enjoyed talking to my doctor. I saw her postpartum and I really took the time to think about what she was saying, it was thought-provoking.”
“
“I have two young sons and so far the treatment has been great. Our doctor put them on medication, adjusted it when needed and so far the improvement has been very good. We really like the TalkDoc platform.”
What sets us apart
Why We Stand Out
Don't take our word for it. Here's what people actually experience when they finally get the care they needed.
We're there when no one else is
If your local clinic closed its waitlist or stopped taking Medi-Cal altogether, you know how frustrating that is. TalkDoc was built so that doesn't happen to you. We're in-network, accepting patients, and can get you seen this week.
“The quality of care has been really good, we're really glad we found our doctor when our local place stopped accepting patients.”
TalkDoc patient, Medi-Cal memberIn-network with Medi-CalNo waitlist
They actually listen to you
A lot of people have been rushed through appointments and handed a prescription without much conversation. That's not how our clinicians work. They take the time, ask the questions, and work with you rather than at you.
“I really enjoyed talking to my doctor. I really took the time to think about what she was saying. It was thought-provoking.”
Postpartum patient, TalkDocCollaborative careMedication adjusted to you
Works for the whole family
From postpartum care to ADHD in kids and teens, our clinicians handle a wide range of needs in one place. Families come to us and stay with us because continuity shows up in the outcomes.
“Our doctor put them on medication, adjusted it when needed and the improvement has been very good. We really like the TalkDoc platform.”
Parent of two, TalkDoc patientPostpartum carePediatric ADHDLong-term trust
You won't be left wondering
One of the worst parts of getting mental health care is feeling ignored after you reach out. Our clinicians are known for being reachable, responsive, and clear about next steps when you need help.
“She listens to our questions and worries, and is very thorough so I have a clear picture of what she's saying.”
Long-term TalkDoc patientDirect communicationClear next steps
Your care team
Meet Your Clinicians
Not just credentials - real people who make time for you.
Psychiatry - ADHD - Anxiety
Dr. Dre Irizarry, MD
Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Irizarry has always believed that the best psychiatry happens in real conversation - not a rushed 15-minute check-in. He specializes in helping people who've been through the system and lost faith in it. He's direct, warm, and notoriously good at explaining complex diagnoses in plain English.
He works best with patients dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and people who've never felt heard before.
Book with Dr. Irizarry
Psychiatry - Trauma - Women's Health
Dr. Neelam Sachdev, MD
Chief Medical Officer - Psychiatrist
Dr. Sachdev co-founded TalkDoc because she saw too many patients fall through the cracks of a system that wasn't built for them. She brings a trauma-informed, whole-person lens to every appointment - and she'll never make you feel like a number.
She specializes in complex cases, women's mental health, and patients navigating life transitions.
Book with Dr. SachdevQuestions answered
Still Have Questions?
We've heard every concern. Here are honest answers.
Currently we accept Alameda Alliance for Health (Alameda County), San Francisco Health Plan (SF County), and Central California Alliance for Health (Santa Cruz, Monterey, Merced). We are actively expanding to additional plans - check back or sign up to be notified.
Sign up anyway and tell us your county. We're actively adding new counties and Medi-Cal plans every quarter. We'll notify you the moment your area is covered - and there's no obligation.
TalkDoc providers are licensed MDs/DOs/PNPs. That's not the same as a therapist or life coach. Psychiatrists can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and manage complex mental health cases that therapists are not licensed to handle.
Yes. Because our providers are MDs/DOs, they are fully licensed to evaluate you and prescribe psychiatric medication if appropriate. Your prescription is sent directly to your pharmacy - typically same day or next day after your appointment.
Life happens. You can reschedule or cancel through your patient portal up to 24 hours before your appointment at no charge. Our care coordinators are also available by phone Monday-Friday 8am-5pm PT to help you directly.
100% yes. Your health information is encrypted, stored securely, and never sold or shared with third parties.
You've waited long enough.
Your care starts this week.
Check if your Medi-Cal plan qualifies in 2 minutes. No credit card. No copay. A real clinician available this week.
Questions? Call us Mon-Fri 8am-5pm PT. Crisis line: 1-800-273-8255. Emergency: 911