You can get treatment for pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) online through Bidwell Health for a $45 online visit, with no insurance billing. A U.S.-licensed clinician reviews your intake and, if your pattern is consistent with AGA, sends a prescription — typically finasteride 1 mg, low-dose oral minoxidil 1.25-2.5 mg, dutasteride 0.5 mg, or a combination — electronically to your pharmacy. Review and pharmacy timing can vary, and you will receive an update when your clinician has reviewed the visit.
Bidwell Health quick facts: Bidwell Health is a cash-pay telehealth practice offering $45 online visits for eligible adults ages 18-64 in 11 states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. No insurance or subscription is required. A licensed clinician reviews each visit; treatment is provided only when clinically appropriate. Bidwell is not for emergencies.
Online hair loss treatment may be a fit for adults with gradual hair thinning consistent with common hair loss patterns, when photos and intake information support online review and there are no safety concerns with treatment options.
Online hair loss treatment may not be appropriate with pregnancy, trying to conceive, sudden patchy hair loss, scalp infection or inflammation, hair loss with systemic symptoms, significant cardiac history, low blood pressure symptoms, medication contraindications, or findings that need in-person dermatology evaluation.
Androgenetic alopecia (ICD-10 L64.9) — also called male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss — is the most common cause of hair loss in adults. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it affects roughly 50 million men and 30 million women in the U.S. The mechanism involves the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which progressively miniaturizes susceptible hair follicles until they stop producing visible hair.
In men, the pattern is typically a receding hairline, thinning crown (vertex), or both. In women, it's usually diffuse thinning over the top of the scalp with preserved hairline. AAD resources support evidence-based therapy with finasteride for men, topical minoxidil for men and women, and carefully selected off-label options such as low-dose oral minoxidil and dutasteride. Starting treatment early matters — you can preserve hair you still have, but lost follicles don't come back.
Adult men 18-64 may qualify for Bidwell's current online hair loss prescription workflow if the pattern is consistent with androgenetic alopecia — receding hairline, crown thinning, or a typical male-pattern presentation, usually with a family history. Patchy loss, sudden diffuse shedding, scalp inflammation, and pregnancy or pregnancy plans within six months are excluded. Classic androgenetic alopecia patterns include:
You qualify for a Bidwell telehealth hair loss visit if you are:
For androgenetic alopecia, Bidwell prescription options may include finasteride 1 mg daily, low-dose oral minoxidil 1.25-2.5 mg daily, dutasteride 0.5 mg daily, or a combination when clinically appropriate. Topical minoxidil 5% remains a valid OTC/FDA-approved option, but it is not the main Bidwell prescription lane. Visible results typically take 3-6 months of consistent use. In detail:
We do not prescribe spironolactone without labs (potassium, kidney function) and typically refer women needing spiro to a dermatologist for initial setup. We do not prescribe PRP or hair transplant coordination — those require in-person specialists.
Hair loss has many possible causes and each responds to different treatment. Androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), alopecia areata (autoimmune patchy loss), telogen effluvium (diffuse shedding after stress or illness), scarring alopecia, traction alopecia, and thyroid or iron-related shedding all present differently and need different management. Here's how they typically differ:
| Condition | Telltale feature | Primary approach |
|---|---|---|
| Androgenetic alopecia | Gradual patterned thinning (temples, crown, central part), family history | Finasteride, low-dose oral minoxidil, dutasteride, or combination — what we treat |
| Alopecia areata | Round or coin-shaped bald patches, often sudden; possibly nail pitting | Dermatology — intralesional steroids, topicals, JAK inhibitors |
| Telogen effluvium | Diffuse shedding, 2–4 months after illness, childbirth, major stress | Time — typically self-resolves in 6–9 months; address trigger |
| Scarring alopecia | Smooth, shiny bald patches with no visible follicles; inflammation, itching | Dermatology — urgent evaluation to halt progression |
| Traction alopecia | Hair loss along tight hairstyle or extension lines | Stop tension; regrowth possible early |
| Thyroid / nutritional / iron-related | Diffuse shedding with systemic symptoms | Labs + treat underlying cause |
Our intake asks the specific questions needed to distinguish these. If your answers suggest something other than AGA, we'll say so and refund the visit.
AAD-supported options for androgenetic alopecia: finasteride 1 mg daily (FDA-approved for men), topical minoxidil 5% (FDA-approved for men and women), oral minoxidil 1.25-2.5 mg daily (off-label, evidence-supported), or dutasteride 0.5 mg daily (off-label). Your clinician picks based on pattern severity, tolerance of systemic vs. topical, and pregnancy status.
| Medication | How it works | Status | Key notes | Cash price (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finasteride 1 mg oral daily | 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor — blocks DHT | FDA-approved for male AGA | Results in 3–6 months; contraindicated in pregnancy | $10–30 |
| Topical minoxidil 5% | Vasodilator at the hair follicle — extends growth phase | FDA-approved for men and women | Initial shed at weeks 2–8 is normal | $25–40 |
| Oral minoxidil 1.25-2.5 mg daily | Same mechanism as topical but systemic | Off-label; AAD-referenced | Can cause facial hair growth, ankle edema; monitor cardiovascular status | Paid separately at pharmacy |
| Dutasteride 0.5 mg daily | More potent 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor | Off-label; FDA-approved for BPH | For patients whose AGA progresses on finasteride | $20–60 |
| Factor | Bidwell Health | Dermatology clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Visit cost | $45 online visit; medication paid separately | Often higher cash price for dermatology or specialty clinics |
| Wait time | Online clinician review | Typically weeks to months for new appointments |
| Scope | Pattern hair loss (AGA) in adults meeting criteria | All hair loss types — needed for non-AGA diagnoses |
| Insurance required | No | Often required, or high cash price |
| Prescription delivery | Electronic to any pharmacy you choose | Paper or e-prescription |
| Follow-up | Secure messaging inside the portal | Schedule a new visit |
For uncomplicated androgenetic alopecia, Bidwell clinicians may use finasteride 1 mg daily, low-dose oral minoxidil 1.25-2.5 mg, dutasteride 0.5 mg, or a combination based on goals, risk factors, pregnancy status, cardiovascular history, and contraindications. We use low-dose oral minoxidil only within the 1.25-2.5 mg range for hair loss. Visible results take 3 to 6 months, treatment must be continued to maintain gains, and an initial shedding phase can happen. We refer out for alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, suspected thyroid or iron deficiency, and any pattern that does not fit AGA.
Bidwell Health serves patients in 11 states — Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Visits are reviewed by licensed clinicians credentialed in the patient's state, and licenses are publicly verifiable through each state's board. Select your state:
Online visits are appropriate for uncomplicated androgenetic alopecia in adults who fit the pattern. Several situations fall outside online scope and need a dermatologist — patchy or coin-shaped bald spots, scarring alopecia, scalp inflammation or infection, sudden diffuse shedding, or pregnancy plans within six months while considering finasteride. Please see a dermatologist instead of (or in addition to) a telehealth visit if:
Yes, for adult men with androgenetic alopecia and a classic male-pattern presentation — gradual thinning at the temples, crown, or both, typically with a family history. AAD clinical resources support first-line treatment with finasteride, topical minoxidil, or combination therapy. Alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, sudden diffuse shedding (telogen effluvium), pregnancy, and pregnancy plans within six months are excluded.
Yes, if you are eligible after clinician review. Bidwell Health does not require a medication subscription or monthly hair-loss plan.
A licensed clinician reviews your intake and photos 7 days a week, including weekends. When treatment is approved, your prescription is e-prescribed to your chosen pharmacy. Pharmacy pickup timing varies.
Yes. If treatment is clinically appropriate, your hair-loss prescription is sent to the pharmacy you choose during intake.
The online visit is $45. Medication is billed separately at your pharmacy; finasteride, low-dose oral minoxidil, and dutasteride are generic medications, and pharmacy pricing varies.
No. Bidwell Health is cash-pay only, with a $45 one-time online visit, no insurance billing, no required subscription, and no scheduled video visit required. The intake is reviewed online by a licensed clinician credentialed in the state where care is requested.
Every intake is reviewed by a licensed clinician credentialed in the state where care is requested. Clinician credentials are public and independently verifiable.
We don't treat hair loss when any of the following apply: patchy or coin-shaped bald spots (alopecia areata), scarring alopecia (smooth shiny patches or inflammation), sudden diffuse shedding after illness or childbirth (telogen effluvium), scalp inflammation or fungal infection, pregnancy or pregnancy plans within six months (finasteride and dutasteride are contraindicated), or active suicidal ideation (finasteride has mood effects in a small subset). Those need dermatology or primary-care evaluation.
If your intake surfaces any contraindication — a red-flag symptom, a condition we do not treat online, an unclear differential, or a medication interaction — we tell you, refund your visit fee automatically, and direct you to the appropriate in-person option. You don't pay for care that shouldn't be delivered through online telehealth.
No. Bidwell Health is cash-pay only. The $45 online visit covers clinical review and, if appropriate, the prescription decision. You can pay with HSA/FSA funds. Because we don't bill insurance, your visit doesn't appear on your explanation of benefits or family insurance claims — which many patients prefer for privacy reasons.
Yes, low-dose oral minoxidil may be prescribed online for eligible adults with pattern hair loss when a licensed clinician determines it is appropriate. Bidwell uses the low-dose range of 1.25mg to 2.5mg when clinically appropriate. Read the short answer.
Yes, finasteride may be prescribed online for eligible adults with male-pattern hair loss after a licensed clinician reviews the intake and photos. Read the short answer.
Yes, dutasteride may be prescribed online for eligible adults with pattern hair loss when clinician review finds it appropriate. Read the short answer.
Yes. Photos help the clinician confirm a pattern-hair-loss presentation and screen for red flags like patchy loss, scalp inflammation, or sudden shedding.
Medication options can include finasteride 1mg, low-dose oral minoxidil 1.25mg to 2.5mg, dutasteride 0.5mg, topical minoxidil, or a combination when clinically appropriate.
Hair regrowth is slow. Visible change usually takes several months, and many people need 6 to 12 months before judging the full response.
Online treatment may not be appropriate for pregnancy risk, certain cardiac histories, low blood pressure symptoms, scalp infection, sudden patchy hair loss, systemic symptoms, or medication contraindications.
Yes. When treatment is clinically appropriate, Bidwell Health sends prescriptions to the pharmacy chosen during intake.
The shedding phase is where patients quit. The number-one reason men abandon finasteride or minoxidil before it works is the 6–8 week shedding phase — where old hairs release to make room for new growth, looking to the patient like the medication is actively causing hair loss. It's a recognized transition, not a failure. Telling patients about it upfront — and showing baseline scalp photos to compare against at month 6 — is the single biggest adherence intervention. Patients who know to expect the shed almost never stop; patients who don't almost always do.
Telogen effluvium masquerades as male-pattern loss. Diffuse shedding 2–4 months after a major stressor (illness, surgery, childbirth, crash diet, COVID infection) is telogen effluvium — it's self-limited and typically resolves in 6–9 months without any specific treatment. Starting finasteride in that context doesn't help and wastes three months of trial. Our intake specifically asks about recent illness, stress, or dietary change in the past 6 months to catch this pattern and route it to watchful waiting instead.
Women with pattern hair loss need different workup. Female pattern hair loss often coexists with iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, or PCOS. Before topical minoxidil — which is FDA-approved for women — a baseline lab check (ferritin, TSH, free testosterone, DHEA-S) rules out reversible drivers. Finasteride and dutasteride are contraindicated in women of childbearing potential and aren't a starting point. We currently focus on male pattern and refer women to dermatology or primary care for the lab workup that typically precedes treatment.