What Hims Is and How It Works
Hims is a telehealth platform that connects you with licensed doctors and nurse practitioners online to discuss health concerns and receive prescriptions. You create an account, answer health questions, have a video or messaging consultation with a clinician, and if appropriate, receive a prescription that can be filled at a pharmacy of your choice. The entire process happens through your phone, computer, or tablet — you do not visit a physical office.
Hims operates in most U.S. states and handles a range of men's health topics, including hair loss, erectile dysfunction, skin conditions, and general wellness. The company does not provide emergency care or diagnose serious conditions; it is designed for ongoing or routine concerns that a primary care doctor might handle in a regular visit.
Key Takeaways
- Hims charges a consultation fee (typically $25 to $50 depending on the visit type) plus the cost of any prescription filled at your pharmacy.
- You will need a valid photo ID, current address, and insurance information (if you have it) to set up an account.
- A clinician will review your health history and current medications before prescribing anything, and some conditions or medications may disqualify you from certain treatments.
- Prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy you choose; Hims does not dispense medication directly, though it partners with some pharmacies for faster delivery.
- If a clinician declines to prescribe what you request, you cannot appeal within Hims — you would need to see another doctor or provider.
The Consultation Process and What to Expect
After you create your account and select a visit type (such as hair loss or erectile dysfunction), you will answer a detailed health questionnaire. This form asks about your medical history, current medications, allergies, and specific symptoms. Be honest and thorough — the clinician uses this information to decide whether the treatment you are seeking is safe for you.
You then book a time slot with an available clinician. Most appointments happen within 24 hours. During the video or messaging consultation, the clinician will ask follow-up questions, review your answers, and discuss your options. If they believe a prescription is appropriate, they will send it to the pharmacy you name. If they have concerns — for example, if a medication would interact with something you are already taking — they will explain why and may suggest alternatives or refer you to an in-person doctor.
The consultation fee is separate from the prescription cost. You pay the consultation fee to Hims at the time of your visit. You then pay the pharmacy's price for the medication itself, which varies by drug, dosage, and whether you use insurance.
Cost and Payment Options
Hims charges a consultation fee that typically ranges from $25 to $50, depending on whether you choose a video visit or messaging-only consultation. Some visit types cost more. This fee is non-refundable if you complete the consultation, even if the clinician does not prescribe anything.
Prescription costs depend on what is prescribed and where you fill it. If you have insurance, you can use your insurance at most pharmacies; Hims will provide the prescription in a form your insurance recognizes. If you do not have insurance, you can ask the pharmacy for their cash price, or you can use a discount program like GoodRx to compare prices across pharmacies. Some medications on Hims' platform are available through their own pharmacy partners at set prices, which may be lower than retail.
Hims accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and some digital payment methods. It does not bill through insurance for the consultation itself — you pay out of pocket, though some health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs) may reimburse telehealth visits if your plan covers them.
What Information You Need to Provide
To create a Hims account, you will need a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport), your current address, and your date of birth. The platform verifies your identity before you can book a consultation.
During the health questionnaire, you will be asked to list all medications you currently take (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements), any allergies, past surgeries or serious illnesses, and your family medical history. You will also answer specific questions about the condition you want to address — for example, if you are seeking treatment for hair loss, you will describe when it started and how quickly it is progressing.
If you have insurance, you can provide your insurance information so the pharmacy can bill your plan for the prescription. This is optional; you can also choose to pay cash. Having insurance information does not affect whether a clinician will prescribe — it only affects how you pay for the medication at the pharmacy.
Prescriptions and Pharmacy Coordination
If a clinician prescribes medication, Hims sends the prescription electronically to the pharmacy you choose. You can pick any pharmacy — a local chain, an independent pharmacy, or one of Hims' partner pharmacies. The prescription is a standard prescription that any licensed pharmacy can fill.
Hims does not dispense medication itself. The pharmacy you choose will contact you when the prescription is ready, and you pick it up or arrange delivery according to that pharmacy's policies. Some of Hims' partner pharmacies offer faster shipping or home delivery, but you are not required to use them.
If the pharmacy cannot fill the prescription (for example, if the medication is out of stock), the pharmacy will contact you or the clinician to discuss alternatives. You can also contact the pharmacy directly to ask about pricing, delivery options, or whether they have the medication in stock before you pick it up.
Limitations and When Hims Cannot Help
Hims cannot treat emergencies. If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or any other life-threatening symptom, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Hims is not a substitute for emergency care.
Hims clinicians also cannot diagnose or treat conditions that require in-person examination or testing. For example, if you have a skin condition that needs a biopsy, or if a clinician suspects something that requires blood work or imaging, they will refer you to an in-person doctor or urgent care clinic. Some conditions — such as certain heart conditions or uncontrolled high blood pressure — may disqualify you from receiving certain medications through Hims.
If a clinician declines to prescribe what you requested, you cannot appeal or request a second opinion within Hims. Your options are to see a different doctor in person, try a different telehealth platform, or ask your primary care doctor for a referral.
Privacy and Your Medical Information
Hims stores your health information in a find account. Your medical records are kept confidential and are not shared with third parties without your permission, except as required by law. When you use insurance, the pharmacy and your insurance company will see that you filled a prescription, but Hims does not share your consultation notes with your insurance company unless you authorize it.
Your information is encrypted during transmission and at rest. Hims is subject to HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which sets federal standards for protecting health information. If you have concerns about how your data is used, you can review Hims' privacy policy on their website or contact their support team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my insurance to pay for the Hims consultation?
Most insurance plans do not cover telehealth consultations through Hims, so you will pay the consultation fee out of pocket. However, some health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) may reimburse telehealth visits — check your plan documents or call your benefits administrator. Insurance will cover the prescription itself if you fill it at a pharmacy that accepts your plan.
What happens if the clinician says no to the medication I want?
If a clinician declines to prescribe something, they will explain their reason — usually because of a medication interaction, a health condition you have, or because the medication is not appropriate for your situation. You cannot request a second opinion from another Hims clinician for the same visit. You would need to see a different doctor in person or through another telehealth service.
How long does it take to get a prescription filled?
The consultation typically happens within 24 hours of booking. Once the clinician sends the prescription to your pharmacy, the pharmacy's timeline depends on their workload and whether the medication is in stock. Most pharmacies fill prescriptions within a few hours to a day. If you use a Hims partner pharmacy with home delivery, shipping may take several business days.
Is my information safe with Hims?
Hims encrypts your information and follows HIPAA privacy rules. Your health data is not shared with third parties without your permission, except as required by law. You can review Hims' full privacy policy on their website if you want details about how they store and use your information.
Can I get a prescription refill through Hims?
Refills depend on the medication and the clinician's original prescription. Some prescriptions allow refills through the pharmacy without another Hims consultation. For others, you may need to book another consultation. Contact Hims support or your pharmacy to find out whether your specific prescription allows refills.