With the ability to do almost everything on the internet, the push to have instant access to medical help and resources has created an abundance of online healthcare websites. Among these, Nurx has emerged as one of the largest advertising easy access to a variety of birth control and other prescriptions.
With a quick online questionnaire and a $15 to $60 medical consult fee, anyone with a computer or smartphone can connect with medical professionals and receive prescribed medications. At a glance, it seems too convenient and has potential consumers wondering is Nurx legit? Nurx is one of the leading telehealth platforms, working with licensed medical professionals and creating easier access to vital services and treatments. Detailed below is how Nurx operates.
Nurx Company Information
| Official Website: | https://www.nurx.com/ |
| Headquarters Location: | San Francisco, California |
| Founded: | 2015 |
| Industry: | Healthcare, Technology |
| Ownership: | Hans Gangeskar and Dr. Edvard Engesæth |
| Contact | 1 (800) 321-6879, support@nurx.co |
| Social Media: | Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tik Tok |
What is Nurx?
Nurx is a telehealth service that connects patients to medical support and delivers prescription medications conveniently and discreetly to the patient’s door. Founded in 2015 by Hans Gangeskar and Edvard Engesæth with a mission to make healthcare simpler and more accessible to everyone, starting with breaking down the barriers and stigma of women’s health.
The core of Nurx’s service is providing a variety of contraceptive options, such as the birth control pill, patch, ring, shot, and emergency contraceptives like the morning after pill. The company’s services have expanded beyond contraceptives, and now include HPV and STI testing, HIV PreP prescriptions, migraine treatment, and skincare treatments.
Nurx uses an online questionnaire to determine a patient’s needs, and it is reviewed by a medically licensed professional in the patient’s state, who then prescribes medication or tests. This initial process takes 3 to 5 days, all without having to enter a doctor’s office, and often without having to speak with anyone. The prescription or test is then shipped, free of charge, in inconspicuous packaging, to the patient’s door.
Is Nurx legal and safe or a scam?
Nurx’s services are currently available and legal in 37 of the 50 states in the United States. Despite state laws that prevent Nurx from providing medical care in the remaining 13 states, the website can still be accessed legally by individuals living in those states, although they will not be unable to submit a questionnaire.
The likelihood of getting scammed through the Nurx website is low. While there are several complaints of scams from users being charged and never receiving their prescription, this is likely due to shipping issues, and not due to scams. Similarly, the likelihood of receiving a virus from the Nurx website, or encountering malware, is low due to the technology used to keep patient information safe.
Sensitive data will not be stolen when providing information for services on Nurx’s website. The company’s privacy policy ensures its users that sensitive data retrieved will not be shared with anyone without the user’s consent and that all information is processed through industry-standard encryption and stored according to federal standards.
Is Nurx reliable and trustworthy?
Nurx has mixed reviews and ratings across the internet. The company’s own reviews page currently has 22,931 reviews, with users giving an average of 4.8 stars out of 5. Common themes among the Nurx user reviews are praise for the company’s convenience, brand and product assortment, and respect for privacy.
Nurx is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ company rating. The company currently has 269 customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau averaging 2.16 out of 5 stars, and a total of 125 complaints filed. The most common issues cited were lack of communication before prescribing medications and sending incorrect medications. While the highest complaint was poor customer service due to the inability to reach customer service, being repeatedly directed to other representatives, and issues not resolved by customer service. Some of the criticism also stems from Nurx’s return policy, which does not allow for returns or refunds of prescription medication due to federal laws.
An interesting fact to keep in mind when weighing these ratings; the most populous complaint is poor customer service, however, the majority of 1-star and 2-star reviews on Nurx’s review page on its website, and most reviews and claims on the Better Business Bureau website, were answered within a few days by a Nurx customer service representative attempting to resolve the user’s issue.
The pros and cons of Nurx
Pros
- Convenience: Easily get medications prescribed online, no trip to the doctor, no trip to the pharmacy, and arrives at your door.
- Anonymity: No face-to-face meetings are required for prescriptions or tests, and orders arrive in discrete packaging.
- Cost-efficient: Nurx works with insurance companies and offers low-cost options for the uninsured, orders are shipped for free.
- Selection: Currently Nurx offers over 50 different brands of contraceptives, including generic and name brands.
- App: Access anywhere with a smartphone.
- Support: The initial consultation fee includes unlimited access to medical support for the duration of a prescription.
Cons
- Availability: Nurx is not accessible to everyone, it is dependent on the state’s telehealth laws.
- Potential inaccuracy: No physical exam by a doctor is required to be prescribed medications, and all decisions are made based on a questionnaire.
- No refunds: If you are sent the wrong medication or dosage, there is no option for a refund or return.
How does Nurx make money?
Nurx is a private start-up company that relies heavily on funding from its investors and outside parties to grow. The company raised 22.5 million in its last round of Series C funding back in 2020. On Nurx’s list of investors are Trustbridge, Comcast Ventures, Wittington Ventures. Union Square Ventures, and Kleiner Perkins.
Nurx also creates revenue through the consultation fee that users are charged for each prescription request. In addition, the company makes money “by taking a cut from insurance companies and collecting a fee from every independent pharmacy that it uses to fill prescriptions.” (Sklar, 2017)
Best Nurx alternatives
Online prescriptions services have been growing in the past 7 years since Nurx’s debut, and the company has several competitors. Alternatives to Nurx include:
FAQ
Does Nurx take insurance?
Yes, Nurx accepts a variety of private health insurances for medications, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Health Care. To find out if your specific health insurance is accepted by Nurx, contact their customer support team at support@nurx.co.
Can I use Nurx without insurance?
Yes, Nurx can be used whether you do not have insurance or would like to pay out-of-pocket for your medication. Nurx provides a comprehensive list on their website of prices for specific birth control brands. For all other brands and types of medications, contact Nurx’s customer support team at support@nurx.co.
Will Nurx contact my doctor?
No, Nurx will not send information to your doctor without your express permission. Although they recommend sharing your health information from Nurx with your primary care physician, they will not share it unless they are asked to by you.
Does Nurx replace a PCP?
No, the use of Nurx does not replace the need for a Primary Care Physician. Nurx should be used as a supplemental service to conveniently receive medications without a trip to the doctor’s office, but a primary care physician should still be seen for annual check-ups and sick visits.
How long does delivery take from Nurx?
Delivery from Nurx typically takes 3 to 5 business days. Orders are shipped within 72 hours of the review of prescription requests and shipped via USPS 1 to 3-day priority shipping to provide free delivery.
How discreet is Nurx?
Nurx deliveries are generally discreet. Your medication will most likely be delivered in a small, plain mailer through USPS, and will not mention Nurx or any of Nurx’s partner pharmacies on the packaging.
Can Nurx send a prescription to a pharmacy?
Yes, Nurx can send prescriptions to a pharmacy. Whether it is due to your insurance not covering Nurx’s partner pharmacy, or because the prescription is needed as soon as possible, Nurx will send your prescription to your local pharmacy for pick-up.
Is Nurx available in other countries?
No, Nurx is not currently available internationally and is only available in certain states within the United States.
Is Nurx legit?
Yes, Nurx is a legitimate telehealth platform that works with fully licensed medical staff to supply quick and convenient medical assessments and prescription medications to patients.
References
- Nurx. Retrieved January 25, 2022, from https://www.nurx.com/
- Rinker, B. (2020, April 11). Telehealth startup Nurx focused on women’s health raises $22M Series C. San Francisco Business Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2020/08/11/nurx-womens-health-series-c-covid-telehealth.html
- Sklar, J. (2017, January 25). This app will be a game-changer for getting birth control without the ACA. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://www.technologyreview.com/2017/01/25/154379/this-app-will-be-a-game-changer-for-getting-birth-control-without-the-aca/