People looking to buy erectile dysfunction (ED) medications online may wonder where to begin — especially since some medications, like Viagra, require a prescription.
There are several telehealth platforms, like the Optum Store, that offer online video calls with a doctor who can write a prescription without needing to make an in-person visit. This way, you can get your prescription ED medications shipped directly to you without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
But can you order a brand-name medication like Viagra online from the Optum Store, or do they just sell generic medications? How easy is it to connect with a doctor through the Optum Store?
To help answer these questions, we looked at their complete ordering process to find out everything you might need to know before ordering Viagra online from the Optum Store.
What is the Optum Store?
The Optum Store is a telehealth company offering virtual care for specific medical needs and conditions, including mental health. The company has a network of licensed healthcare professionals and promises reasonable prices for services and products.
You can purchase medications like birth control, men’s hair loss products, Latisse eyelash growth serum, and ED medications, including Viagra, which are delivered right to your door.
How it works
While the process may vary slightly depending on the care or product you want, here’s how people can order ED treatment through the Optum Store:
- Meet with a doctor: The first step is to schedule a free consultation with a doctor. This is where you’ll share your symptoms and medical history, along with a photo ID and a recent blood pressure reading. No in-person visit is required, and the first consultation is free.
- A brief review period: Your information will be reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician within 24 to 48 hours to determine whether you’re a good candidate for ED treatment.
- Receive prescriptions and recommendations: If you’re not sure which ED medication is right for you, your Optum Store provider can make a recommendation.
- Place and receive your order: Once you have your prescription, you can place your order. No insurance is needed to order medications from the Optum Store after receiving your prescription. Your ED medication is also FSA/HSA eligible.
The whole process is completed online, which makes it very discreet, convenient, and quick. Medications are typically delivered within 5 business days of your doctor finalizing your treatment plan.
Pros and cons of buying Viagra online through the Optum Store
Pros
- begin an ED treatment from the comfort of home — the process is entirely online from start to finish
- free and discreet shipping
- first consultation is free
- ED medications start as low as $6 per dose
- FSA/HSA eligible
Cons
- Viagra is the most expensive ED medication, starting at $80 per dose
- Optum services are paid directly
- health insurance can rarely be used, if at all, for ED medications
How we evaluated the Optum Store
We carefully explored the Optum Store website and specifically reviewed their options for ED medications, including Viagra and its general price.
Here’s what we considered as we evaluated the Optum Store and their services and products:
- Convenience factor: We reviewed the process of accessing ED medication via the Optum Store to ensure it really is a time-saving alternative to meeting a doctor in person.
- Shipping: We confirmed that all orders $75 and above ship for free. The Optum Store also runs occasional promotional deals where all orders ship for free with no minimum purchase.
- Customer reviews: We looked for third-party reviews from real customers to see what people think of the Optum Store and the process of accessing ED medications specifically.
- Pricing: We checked that ED medications were comparable or less expensive than purchasing elsewhere.
Viagra and sildenafil at the Optum Store
Viagra
- Price without insurance: starts at $80 per dose
- Doses: 25, 50, and 100 milligrams (mg)
- Supply: 30 or 90 days
To get a prescription for Viagra through the Optum Store, you’ll need to complete a questionnaire, upload a photo ID, and request the medication. A licensed healthcare professional will then review your information and decide whether you’re a good candidate for this kind of ED medication.
Sildenafil
- Price without insurance: starts at $6 per dose for 10 doses
- Doses: 20, 25, 50, and 100 mg
- Supply: 30, 90, or 180 days
Sildenafil is the generic form of Viagra and Revatio. It’s chemically identical to its brand-name counterpart, but it’s much less expensive.
In addition to being an ED treatment,
You can get a prescription for sildenafil at the Optum Store by following the same steps you would for Viagra.
It’s worth noting that since sildenafil is a generic version of Viagra, it will be a different shape and/or color than Viagra’s popular blue diamond shape.
Optum Store pricing with insurance
Viagra is not covered by many insurance plans and is unlikely to be covered by your insurance provider. However, the Optum Store does give you the option to input and check to see whether it’s covered under your plan.
Because every insurance plan is a little different, we can’t share an exact price on ED medications bought through the Optum Store.
In addition to ED medications, the Optum Store provides many other prescription medications that your insurance may cover.
Even if ED medications are not covered, other medications you may be taking might still be covered by insurance — so it could be worthwhile exploring and comparing those prices against competitors.
What to expect when ordering from the Optum Store
It’s simple to get started with a prescription request.
To begin a free consultation, provide your legal name, date of birth, sex assigned at birth, and delivery ZIP code. Then, complete a questionnaire about your medical history, upload a photo ID and a recent blood pressure reading, and request a prescription.
The first consultation is free. Follow-up consultations are $15.
Prescriptions are fulfilled via the Optum Store, with automatic refills available for 30- or 90-day supplies. ED medications are shipped directly to your door in discreet packaging.
Shipping and returns
ED medications from the Optum Store have free standard shipping to all 48 contiguous U.S. states with orders over $75. All orders to Hawaii and Alaska are express shipped for $19.99. Expedited shipping is available but will cost extra. Prescribed medications typically arrive within 5 business days from when your treatment plan is finalized.
Returns are accepted on unopened and unused items in their original packaging within 45 days of purchase.
Customer reviews
There are no customer reviews on the Optum Store website, and third-party reviews are limited as well, as of the publishing date of this article.
Feedback on Trustpilot.com is limited to three negative reviews that discuss customer service and shipping delays. None of the reviews directly discuss ED medications or Viagra. Two of the reviews appear to relate to issues about receiving testing kits.
Who should use the Optum Store?
The Optum Store is a good option for people in search of ED medications, including Viagra. The process is designed to be quick and convenient. Because it’s all done online, this is a better option for people who are comfortable with technology. It may not be a good fit for anyone unfamiliar or uncomfortable with online ordering.
Keep in mind that success with telemedicine depends on people supplying full and truthful answers. That’s the only way a healthcare professional can accurately assess your medical history to determine a safe, effective treatment.
If you have preexisting health conditions or are concerned about how these ED medications may affect you, consider meeting with your regular doctor for an in-person diagnosis instead of using telehealth services.
Safety callouts
A prescription is required for both Viagra and sildenafil because of potential side effects. While they are rare, they can sometimes be severe.
Side effects of these ED medications include:
- increased risk of cardiac issues, particularly for people with preexisting cardiovascular conditions
- priapism
- muscle pain
- flushing
- nausea
- loss of vision and hearing
- low blood pressure
For people who regularly take nitrates or nitroglycerin, it is not recommended to take Viagra or sildenafil at the same time, as it can reduce preload in the heart. Instead, it’s recommended to take a
If you start to experience any of these side effects after starting Viagra or sildenafil, consider meeting with your doctor to discuss your medication and dosage.
Optum Store vs. competitors
| Specifications | Optum Store | Hims | Roman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor consultation available? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Insurance accepted? | Yes | No | No |
| Viagra price without insurance* | Starting at $80 per dose | $50-$70 per dose | $90 per dose |
| Viagra doses | 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg | 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg | 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg |
| Sildenafil price without insurance* | Starting at $6 per dose | $4-$10 per dose | $4-$10 per dose |
| Sildenafil doses | 20 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg | 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg | 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg |
*Prices as of January 2023
Frequently asked questions about the Optum Store
What is the Optum Store?
The Optum Store is a telehealth company that offers virtual care and prescriptions for mental health conditions, birth control, men’s hair loss, erectile dysfunction, and Latisse eyelash growth serum.
It’s set up to offer care from the comfort of your home, with medications delivered right to your door.
Is the Optum Store legit?
Yes, the Optum Store is a legitimate telehealth company offering virtual care and prescriptions for specific medical needs and conditions, including ED.
Does the Optum Store take insurance?
The Optum Store does take insurance for some products, but it’s unlikely to be accepted for ED medications. However, these ED medications are FSA/HSA eligible.
Takeaway
The Optum Store may be a good option for people who are looking for ED medications like Viagra.
The telehealth company makes it easy to upload medical information so licensed healthcare professionals can determine whether you’re a good fit for this kind of ED medication. If you are, you can get your prescription filled quickly and have your new medication shipped right to your door.
The entire process is quick, convenient, and handled completely online. However, if you have preexisting health conditions, you may be better served by an in-person doctor’s visit for ED medication.
Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.