ADHD can interfere with your quality of life and disrupt your work schedule. We know how busy life can get, and sometimes, it may feel impossible to make the time to see an in-person care provider. Plus, the steps to find appropriate support may feel overwhelming.
The good news? You can get an ADHD diagnosis and treatment all online, thanks to telemedicine. Circle Medical is a primary care practice that offers online appointments and care, including ADHD assessments and treatment.
We review Circle Medical in-depth – specifically their ADHD treatment (although they can treat many other conditions, online or in person), what kinds of medication or treatment they offer, and how they stack up to leading online ADHD treatment providers.
Circle Medical ADHD TreatmentPros + Cons
Pros
- Completely remote – Seeing a provider with Circle Medical (app or online) is convenient and comprehensive, with same or next-day appointments and diagnosis in only 2-3 appointments.
- Doesn’t require a subscription – Circle Medical is paid for by appointment only, so you won’t be paying for monthly subscriptions – only for appointments you attend.
- Can prescribe Adderall – Within the bounds of safe and effective medical care, Circle Medical can prescribe stimulants and controlled substances, unlike many online ADHD providers.
- Takes insurance – Unlike many online ADHD treatment options, Circle Medical accepts insurance for appointment costs (but is still affordable without insurance).
- High standards – Their 200+ primary care providers are vetted through strict quality of care protocols determined by UCSF (a top 10 hospital in the country), so you know you’re receiving legitimate ADHD diagnosis & treatment at the highest possible level of care.
Cons
- Does not operate in all states – You must reside in a state where a primary care physician is licensed, which is limited. To see Circle Medical’s latest list, you must start by booking an appointment.
- Does not offer therapy – Although Circle Medical can treat everything from primary to preventative care to behavioral health, they only offer medication management for ADHD treatment. Many believe that combining therapy and medication is more effective in treating ADHD.
Circle Medical vs Done vs PlushCare vs Cerebral – Which is Best for ADHD?
Best Online ADHD Care | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Pricing | Insured: $5-50 copay per appointment Can receive cost estimate with your insurance before booking your appointment Uninsured: $149 1st appointment $100 subsequent appointments | Insured: $15/mo membership $30 copay per appointment Uninsured: $15/mo membership $129 1st appointment $69 subsequent appointments | $199 upfront $79/mo thereafter | Medication only: $99/mo Therapy only: $259/mo Medication + therapy: $325/mo |
Available without subscription? | ✅ Only pay per appointment | ❌ $15/mo | ❌ $79/mo | ❌ $99-325/mo |
Can prescribe stimulants? | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Offers therapy? | ❌ | ✅ $169/session | ❌ | ✅ $259-325/mo |
Same day appointments? | ✅ | ✅ | 🟡 As soon as next day | ❌ Within 1 week |
Lets you choose your provider? | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ Can choose therapist |
Doorstep delivery of prescriptions? | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Accepts insurance? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ Offers out-of-network support | ✅ |
Associated app? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Treatment available in? | Not available in all US states, can only see available states by booking an appointment | All 50 US states | 37 states | All 50 US states |
What else can they treat? | Primary care, behavioral health, women & men's health, sleep care, LGBTQ+ health | General health, preventative care, prescriptions, urgent care, mental health, online therapy, sexual health | ❌ | Anxiety, depression, insomnia, bipolar disorder, AUD |
Website |
Why We Recommend Circle Medical for ADHD
Originally an in-person clinic, Circle Medical became a digital-first practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a growing network of physical clinics around the country. The company now treats ADHD as part of their fully-licensed primary care practice through one of their 200+ providers, all available online and through their app.
Unlike alternative telemedicine services, Circle Medical providers can handle most complex issues and primary care services, including diagnosis, prescriptions, checkups, and evaluation. Research shows that people who can access primary healthcare on demand are healthier, rarely visit the emergency room, and live longer.
Circle Medical offers an integrated approach to treating ADHD with appropriate medication for maximum control. We recommend their service to ADHD patients looking for:
Quick Diagnosis
Appointments are available as soon as the next day with comprehensive ADHD assessment over video. Providers specializing in ADHD diagnosis can give a diagnosis in as little as 2-3 appointments (20-30 minutes each).
Streamlined care
As a primary care practice, they can assess, diagnose, and treat other conditions like anxiety or depression (that often coexist with ADHD symptoms).
Prescriptions for stimulants
Stimulants like Adderall can be a life-changing component of ADHD treatment, but they can also prescribe non-stimulants. Circle Medical ensures that your prescription occurs within the bounds of safe and effective medical care through your appointments and ongoing care.
Annual wellness exams
Because Circle Medical puts the health and safety of their patients first, if your treatment plan includes a controlled substance medication (like stimulants), you’ll be required to provide proof of an Annual Wellness Exam (which can be completed on your own or through them) in the last year. While this could be seen as an inconvenience, we applaud Circle Medical for this, especially considering other platforms’ overprescribing controversies.
Insurance coverage
Circle Medical is contracted with most PPO insurance plans and some HMO plans. You can verify your insurance eligibility before paying by starting to book an appointment online.
Physical locations (as needed)
For times when you need to be seen in person, there are locations that integrate seamlessly with the Circle Medical app and your medical records, creating an easy process for you.
You can choose from 200+ providers that are vetted according to strict quality protocols by UCSF, all of which must hit specific patient care metrics and consistently deliver the highest possible level of care.
Circle Medical ADHD Reviews: What are patients saying?
When scanning sites like Reddit for real customers’ experiences with Circle Medical for ADHD treatment, the general feedback was positive, but there were a few negative ones.
BE SURE to understand your insurance and your state’s local rules and regulations for stimulant prescriptions. This is where many users went wrong and complained about overpriced appointments or their pharmacy not accepting the Rx script – it’s key to have that all figured out before your appointment.
The Verdict - Is Circle Medical Legit it for ADHD Treatment?
Circle Medical understands that care doesn’t just stop at ADHD treatment. Treating ADHD is just one piece of making someone healthy, and they provide patients with almost everything they need in one app.
…want legitimate, comprehensive care.
Circle Medical is one of the only online ADHD treatment platforms that is a fully licensed medical practice, treating everything from primary care to women’s and men’s health to behavioral health and sleep care. This scope of treatment can provide patients with peace of mind, knowing every aspect of their health will be considered in diagnosis and treatment. Coupled with their requirement for an Annual Wellness Exam before prescribing medication, it’s clear that their patients come first, not the money.
…require a stimulant prescription for ADHD.
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD before or have symptoms, you probably know that stimulants are the #1 treatment. Circle Medical is one of the only online platforms that can still prescribe stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse, and they do so safely and effectively. Providers are required to conduct an extensive medical evaluation, an annual wellness exam (or review of one from the past 12 months), plus two appointments before any possible prescription.
…have insurance.
***or don’t have insurance! We’re just calling out the fact that they do take insurance, whereas a lot of online providers don’t. Even if you don’t have insurance, the cost of each appointment is very comparable to other online ADHD treatment platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does ADHD treatment through Circle Medical cost?
Insured: All appointments (1st, 2nd, and follow-ups) are $5-$50, depending on your health insurance coverage. You can confirm your copay estimate by booking an appointment.
Uninsured:
- 1st appointment: $149
- 2nd appointment: $100
- Monthly follow-ups: $100/ea
Does Circle Medical accept insurance?
Yes! Circle Medical is in contract with most PPO insurance plans and a small number of HMO plans. Some of the most common PPO plans that they work with are:
- UnitedHealthcare
- Aetna
- Health Net
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Cigna
- California’s Blue Shield
NOTE: Circle Medical does not accept patients insured by Medi-Cal/Medicaid, even if they pay for their appointments out of pocket.
In which states are Circle Medical ADHD services available?
To see a full list of where care is currently available, you must begin by booking an appointment. For in-person visits, Circle Medical is located in San Francisco, NYC, and LA, and they continue to expand.
Do I need the Circle Medical app?
Treatment from Circle Medical for ADHD requires their app to be downloaded to receive care, which can be found with Google Play or Apple Store.
The app has essential features that enable you to book appointments, access your health record, view previous appointment summaries, join video appointments, and communicate with your provider.
What other primary care services does Circle Medical provide?
- Primary care: Allergies, skincare, hair loss, diabetes, injuries & illnesses, and more
- Behavioral health: Anxiety, depression, ADHD
- Women’s health: Preventative care, menopausal care
- Men’s health: Male pattern baldness, preventative care
- Sleep care: Insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep migraines, at-home sleep study
- LBGTQ+ Health: Gender-affirming HT, PrEP
Who is eligible for ADHD treatment from Circle Medical?
ADHD treatment through Circle Medical is recommended for those who:
- Are 18 years or older
- Believe they have ADHD but have never been diagnosed
- Have previously had an ADHD diagnosis and prescription of non-stimulants or under 60mg/day of stimulants
- Were diagnosed with ADHD as a child and are now noticing negative effects from it as an adult (in work/school/personal life)
- Have a current ADHD diagnosis and want to switch treatment/providers
Because Circle Medical is a primary care practice, they cannot treat more complex cases of ADHD/ADD or fulfill prescriptions that require over 60mg/day of stimulants.
How does Circle Medical diagnose ADHD onlne?
To make sure you are a good candidate for ADHD treatment through Circle Medical, be sure to review the entire process before booking your first appointment.
- Book an appointment at CircleMedical.com – Here, you can see if there is a provider for your state and if your insurance (if applicable) can cover treatment.
- Receive a cost estimate – Circle Medical is transparent with its pricing, so you can see your real-time estimated cost before booking your first appointment.
- Download the app – Circle Medical’s app is mandatory to receive care. This is where you’ll have your video appointments, chat with your provider, and see appointment summaries (all info, including chats, is private and fully HIPAA-compliant).
- 1st appointment – 15-30 minute video call. If you’re a good candidate for an ADHD diagnosis, you’ll schedule a follow-up to finalize the diagnosis and treatment plan with your provider.
- Share medical records – Your provider will use your previous medical records to perform clinical checks. You can schedule an Annual Wellness Exam with a Circle Medical provider, or you can share results from a previous physical (from the last 12 months).
- 2nd appointment – 20-30 minute video call. Up to 24h after your first appointment, you’ll schedule your second to discuss your treatment plan, medication information, and follow-up plan with your provider.
- Start treatment – Your provider will send any prescriptions to your preferred pharmacy within 24h.
- Follow-up appointments – Monthly follow-ups (20 minutes) to monitor symptoms and discuss side effects and any modifications needed for continued treatment.
- Continued care – Use the Circle Medical app to chat with your provider for any questions and appointment booking. All replies are within 24 hours.
Unsure where to start?
We’ve tried hundreds of mental health platforms first-hand. Find out which we liked best, and get exclusive discounts!
More Mental Health Reviews
Average Health Coach Salary: Insights for Those Wondering If This Career Is Worth It
With an average yearly salary of $55,672 in the U.S., health coaching is a worthwhile career for those interested in the health and wellness space who want to focus on supporting others. Health coaches in Delaware, Alaska, and Washington DC, as well as in major
What to Expect From a Life Coach and How to Get the Most Out of Your Coaching Experience
Life coaching has emerged as a strategy for overcoming personal and professional challenges. Distinct from therapists and counselors, life coaches focus on helping their clients identify their strengths and meet future goals. While life coaches don’t have to undergo regulated training, like therapists, various life
Topics to Be Coached On: Discovering What People Want From Coaching
People seek out the services of coaches for a multitude of reasons. Individuals may seek out coaches to assist them in working towards specific or broader goals, whether they pertain to career advancement, personal development, health and well-being, or other life domains. Depending on an
Coach vs. Therapist: What’s the Difference, and Which Is Right for You?
Key Takeaways: Therapists have advanced degrees and formal licensing; coaches may have varied backgrounds and certifications. Therapy focuses on mental health, while coaching focuses on personal development and goal achievement. A therapist is able to diagnose mental health conditions, while a coach can not make
PlushCare Anxiety Review: Is It Best for Online Therapy & Anxiety Meds?
Telehealth platforms, like PlushCare, allow you to prioritize your mental health in a more convenient and affordable way. With PlushCare’s online platform, you won’t have to rearrange your schedule, worry about transportation, or leave home to connect with a therapist or doctor, even if
Klarity Anxiety Review – Pros, Cons, Alternatives, & More
Affecting over 40 million American adults each year, anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions. Regardless of the type of anxiety condition, they are all highly treatable, with many individuals experiencing symptom reduction or relief with appropriate treatment. Finding treatment, booking