Question 1

How does the process work?

Accepted Answer

You complete a short online intake form describing your symptoms and health history. A licensed provider reviews it — typically within a few hours. If treatment is appropriate, they send a prescription directly to your chosen pharmacy. No appointment, no waiting room, no commute.

Question 2

How quickly will I get my prescription?

Accepted Answer

Most prescriptions are reviewed and sent the same day, often within a few hours during normal business hours. Once sent, your pharmacy will notify you when it's ready for pickup or delivery.

Question 3

Do I need insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. Bidwell Health is a flat $45 cash-pay service. No insurance forms, no co-pays, no explanation of benefits.

Question 4

How much does a visit cost?

Accepted Answer

Every visit is $45 flat, regardless of condition or state. The price includes the provider review and the prescription, if one is sent. You pay separately for the medication at your pharmacy — generic prices usually run $4 to $20.

Question 5

Are there any hidden fees or subscriptions?

Accepted Answer

No. $45 is a one-time visit fee. No membership, no auto-refill charges, no subscription. If you need care again later, it's another $45 visit.

Question 6

Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bidwell Health visits are an eligible medical expense under most HSA and FSA plans. You can pay with an HSA/FSA debit card at checkout or submit the emailed receipt for reimbursement.

Question 7

Is my information private and secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bidwell Health is fully HIPAA-compliant. Your health information is encrypted end-to-end, stored securely, and never sold or shared with third parties.

Question 8

Will this show up on my insurance records?

Accepted Answer

No — because we don't bill insurance. Your visit is cash-pay and is never submitted to any insurer. It doesn't appear on your explanation of benefits, claims history, or family insurance records.

Question 9

Who sees my intake answers?

Accepted Answer

Only your treating provider and a small, HIPAA-trained support team needed to deliver care. We never sell, share, or use your health data for advertising.

Question 10

Which states do you currently operate in?

Accepted Answer

We are currently licensed to treat patients in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Question 11

Can I use any pharmacy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We send prescriptions to any licensed pharmacy in the US — CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, Rite Aid, Publix, and Amazon Pharmacy.

Question 12

What if my provider doesn't approve my request?

Accepted Answer

If a provider determines that treatment is not clinically appropriate, your $45 visit fee is refunded in full. Your provider may also recommend an alternative or advise you to seek in-person care.

Question 13

Can I use Bidwell Health for ongoing treatment?

Accepted Answer

Each visit is a standalone consultation for a specific condition. Bidwell Health is best suited for acute, episodic conditions — UTIs, yeast infections, and ED.

Question 14

Is telehealth appropriate for these conditions?

Accepted Answer

Yes — for uncomplicated cases. UTIs, yeast infections, and erectile dysfunction are among the most commonly and safely managed conditions via telehealth.

Question 15

What UTI antibiotics do you prescribe?

Accepted Answer

Providers most commonly prescribe first-line UTI antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (Macrobid), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), or fosfomycin — guided by current IDSA guidelines, your history, and any allergies you list in the intake.

Question 16

I keep getting UTIs. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

For occasional recurrence we can often treat each episode, but if you're having three or more UTIs per year we recommend establishing with a primary care provider or urologist for workup — recurrent UTI often deserves in-person evaluation.

Question 17

Can I get tested for a UTI through Bidwell?

Accepted Answer

We don't run lab tests directly. Providers diagnose based on your symptoms and history — which is standard practice for uncomplicated UTIs in women. If your case needs a urine culture, your provider will tell you where to go.

Question 18

What do you prescribe for yeast infections?

Accepted Answer

Most commonly oral fluconazole (Diflucan) — typically a single 150 mg dose, with a second dose 72 hours later for moderate-to-severe cases. Topical options can be considered if oral antifungals aren't appropriate.

Question 19

How do you tell a yeast infection from BV?

Accepted Answer

Your provider uses the symptom pattern you describe in the intake — discharge color and consistency, odor, itch, irritation. The two are commonly confused but treatments differ, so accurate history matters. Our yeast-vs-BV blog post walks through the distinctions.

Question 20

Do I need to do anything special before my ED visit?

Accepted Answer

Have an up-to-date list of your medications ready, and know whether you take nitrates or alpha-blockers — these interact with ED medications. A recent blood pressure reading is helpful but not required.

Question 21

What ED medications can you prescribe?

Accepted Answer

Most patients are prescribed generic sildenafil (Viagra) or generic tadalafil (Cialis), depending on preference and medical history. Our providers do not prescribe controlled substances or off-label combinations.

Question 22

Is ED medication safe if I take heart medication?

Accepted Answer

PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil) must not be combined with nitrates — this can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If you take any heart medication, list it in your intake so your provider can assess safety.

Question 23

How does the prescription reach my pharmacy?

Accepted Answer

Your provider sends the prescription electronically (e-Rx) to the pharmacy you selected during intake. No paper, no faxes, no phone calls. The pharmacy texts or calls you when it's ready.

Question 24

Can I get a refill through Bidwell Health?

Accepted Answer

For the acute conditions we treat, each episode is a fresh visit rather than a refill. If your condition recurs, start a new $45 visit — your provider can usually prescribe again quickly based on your prior record.

Question 25

What conditions do you NOT treat?

Accepted Answer

We do not treat controlled substances (opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines), chronic pain, mental health conditions, pediatric patients (under 18), pregnancy-related conditions, STIs requiring in-person testing, or anything needing a physical exam or imaging.

Question 26

What if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Many of the medications we prescribe are not appropriate during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, think you might be, or are breastfeeding, tell us in the intake — we'll route you to in-person care where it's needed.

Question 27

Is this a real visit or just a form?

Accepted Answer

It's a real visit — a US-licensed clinician reviews your intake, your history, and any red flags before writing a prescription. The difference is it's asynchronous: no video call, no waiting room, just an actual provider reviewing your actual case.

Question 28

What is a bridge refill?

Accepted Answer

A bridge refill is a short-term 90-day supply of a chronic medication you've been stably taking. It's meant to cover you while you transition to a primary care provider — after a move, insurance change, PCP retirement, or long wait for a new-patient appointment. It's not ongoing care; it's the gap-filler between doctors.

Question 29

Which medications can you bridge?

Accepted Answer

Stable, non-controlled chronic medications: SSRIs and SNRIs, bupropion, blood pressure meds (lisinopril, losartan, amlodipine, metoprolol), statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin), thyroid (levothyroxine), oral diabetes meds (metformin, Jardiance, Januvia), asthma controllers and rescue inhalers, birth control, GERD meds. One medication per $45 visit.

Question 30

What won't you bridge?

Accepted Answer

No controlled substances, ever. That includes opioids, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin), stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse), sleep aids (Ambien, Lunesta), tramadol, gabapentin, pregabalin, Fioricet, and state-scheduled muscle relaxants. We also decline medications with recent dose changes, brand-new prescriptions, or monitoring labs older than 12 months.

Question 31

How long does a bridge refill last?

Accepted Answer

90 days maximum. During that window you should establish with a primary care provider for long-term management. A bridge is intentionally short so no one uses it as a substitute for real primary care.

Question 32

Do I need to upload anything for a bridge refill?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a clear photo of your current medication bottle (label readable). You'll also attest that you've had labs within the last 12 months if your medication requires monitoring and that your dose hasn't been changed recently.

Question 33

What medications do you prescribe for hair loss?

Accepted Answer

Three tiered plans for male pattern hair loss: Starter (finasteride 1 mg daily), Growth (finasteride 1 mg + low-dose oral minoxidil 2.5 mg nightly), and Max (dutasteride 0.5 mg + low-dose oral minoxidil). Dutasteride-only is available as an alternate. All are oral — no topicals required.

Question 34

How much does online hair loss treatment cost?

Accepted Answer

$45 flat per visit — same price for Starter, Growth, Max, or Dutasteride-only. One-time visit fee, not a subscription. A 6-month medication supply is prescribed. Medication cost is separate at your pharmacy — generic finasteride $15–30/month, dutasteride $20–40/month, oral minoxidil $10–20/month with GoodRx.

Question 35

Is oral minoxidil safe for hair loss?

Accepted Answer

Low-dose oral minoxidil (1.25–2.5 mg) has decades of safety data and is generally well-tolerated in healthy adults. We screen for cardiovascular history, hypotension symptoms, palpitations, and edema risk before prescribing. Patients with significant cardiac disease are referred to in-person care. Oral minoxidil is prescribed off-label for hair loss in the US.

Question 36

Is finasteride safe? What about sexual side effects?

Accepted Answer

Finasteride is FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss since 1997. Reported sexual side effects in the pivotal trial were 1–2% above placebo. A small number of men report persistent symptoms after discontinuation — a topic that remains debated. Stop and contact your provider if you notice persistent sexual, mood, or other side effects.

Question 37

Do you treat women for hair loss?

Accepted Answer

Not at launch. Our hair loss workflow is currently limited to adult men with classic male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Finasteride and dutasteride are strictly contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. Female pattern hair loss typically requires different agents and workup — we plan to add a women's lane in the future.

Question 38

How long until I see hair loss results?

Accepted Answer

Hair regrowth is slow. Expect several months before visible improvement, with the biggest changes at 6–12 months. Many men experience a temporary 'dread shed' during months 1–3 as dormant follicles enter a new growth cycle — this is a sign the medication is working. Results plateau around 12–18 months.

Question 39

What kinds of hair loss don't you treat?

Accepted Answer

We don't treat patchy or coin-shaped loss (alopecia areata), scarring or inflamed scalp, sudden diffuse shedding, chemotherapy- or radiation-related loss, or any loss in children, teens, or women. These require in-person dermatologic evaluation. If your intake indicates any of these, we decline and refund automatically.

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