The Best Online Doctor's Note Services

$39.99 from OnlineMed

Who this is for

You're sick but not sick enough for urgent care. Maybe you've got a cold, a stomach bug, or you're just feeling terrible but you know it'll pass in a day or two. You shouldn't be at work or school, but you also don't need to spend $150 at urgent care to have a doctor confirm what you already know.

Your doctor can't see you for days. When you call your regular doctor's office and they say "we can see you next Thursday," that doesn't help when you need documentation today for a missed shift yesterday.

You can't afford traditional healthcare for simple documentation. Urgent care visits typically cost $100-$200. ER visits can run $1,500-$3,000. If you just need a note confirming you were sick, that's an absurd amount to pay.

How we picked and tested

We started by compiling a list of all major online doctor's note services available in the US, eliminating any with patterns of fraud complaints, non-acceptance by employers, or services that weren't actually providing legitimate medical consultations.

What we looked for: Real licensed physicians reviewing cases, fast turnaround times (ideally under an hour), and responsive customer service for corrections. We also prioritized transparent pricing with no hidden fees, professional documentation that includes all necessary medical information, and clear evidence of employer and school acceptance based on user reviews.

How we tested: We created accounts and went through each service's consultation process, tracking response times from submission to documentation delivery. We evaluated the professionalism and completeness of the notes, tested customer service response times for hypothetical corrections, and compared total pricing including all fees. We also read through hundreds of verified customer reviews and interviewed users who'd actually submitted these notes to their employers or schools.

Top pick: OnlineMed

$39.99 from OnlineMed

The best online doctor's note service

OnlineMed offers the fastest response times, most professional documentation, and most responsive customer service we've found—all for about $39.

OnlineMed consistently outperformed every other service we evaluated. In our testing, response times averaged 20-40 minutes from submission to receiving your note—sometimes even faster during off-hours when you'd least expect it.

It's remarkably fast. Multiple users reported getting notes within 10-20 minutes, even late at night. One customer we spoke with submitted a request at 11 PM and had their documentation within 15 minutes—a situation where the only alternative would have been an expensive ER visit just for paperwork.

The documentation is professional and complete. The notes include all the information employers and schools actually need: dates of absence, medical justification, physician information, and return-to-work/school recommendations. In our research, we found zero reports of employers or schools rejecting these notes as illegitimate.

Customer service actually solves problems. The standout feature of OnlineMed is what happens when something needs to be fixed. Made a typo in your birth date? Need to extend the absence by a day because you're still sick? Need your child's name added to the note for a school absence? In our testing and user interviews, customer service responded within minutes and made corrections immediately at no additional charge. This is where other services consistently fail.

It's the most affordable option that actually works. At $39, OnlineMed costs a fraction of what you'd pay for urgent care ($100-$150) or an ER visit ($1,500-$3,000). One user calculated that after using the service twice, the savings versus urgent care had already paid for a full year of potential uses.

Real doctors review your case. Licensed doctors actually review the questionnaires and issue the documentation. This isn't just an automated system spitting out generic notes.

The process is genuinely simple. The questionnaire takes 5-10 minutes to complete. You answer basic questions about your symptoms, work/school requirements, and the dates you need documented. That's it. No video calls, no waiting rooms, no insurance cards.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It's still $30. If you're already struggling financially because you had to miss work, $30 might feel steep. But compared to any traditional medical option, it's still dramatically cheaper. And unlike some competitors that charge $60-$100, OnlineMed's pricing is reasonable for what you're getting.

You need to be actually sick. This should go without saying, but these services are for legitimate medical absences. The questionnaire asks about real symptoms and situations. This isn't a service for fraudulent absences—it's for people who are genuinely sick but don't need intensive medical care.

State restrictions may apply. Telehealth regulations vary by state. OnlineMed works in most US states, but it's worth confirming availability in your area before you're in a time crunch.

The competition

Generic telehealth apps like Teladoc or MDLive can technically provide doctor's notes, but they're designed for actual medical consultations, not simple documentation. You'll often wait longer, pay more ($50-$75 per consultation), and deal with unnecessary complexity when all you need is a note.

Cheaper alternatives exist but consistently fail on customer service. Multiple services charge $15-$20 but then ghost customers who need corrections or revisions. The $10 you save isn't worth it when your employer rejects the note because it has the wrong dates.

More expensive services ($60-$100) exist but don't offer meaningfully better service. You're paying extra for the same outcome you'd get with OnlineMed.

Fake note generators or sketchy websites selling "templates" are fraud. Don't do it. Employers and schools can verify medical documentation, and using fake notes can get you fired or expelled.

Frequently asked questions

Will my employer/school actually accept this? In our research across hundreds of reviews, we found consistent acceptance by employers (including major companies like Amazon with strict policies) and schools (from elementary through university level). The notes include all standard medical documentation elements and come from licensed physicians.

How does this compare to going to my regular doctor? If you can get a same-day appointment with your regular doctor, that's ideal. But most people can't—typical wait times are 3-7 days. OnlineMed is for situations where you need documentation now and traditional options aren't available or practical.

Is this legal? Yes. Telehealth is regulated and legal in all 50 states. OnlineMed uses licensed physicians who review your case and provide legitimate medical documentation based on your reported symptoms.

What if my employer calls to verify? OnlineMed has fielded verification calls from employers and schools. The service is legitimate and verifiable.

Can I use this for extended absences? OnlineMed typically provides documentation for short-term absences (1-5 days). For longer medical leaves or FMLA situations, you'll need to work with your regular doctor.

The bottom line

For most people who need medical documentation for a work or school absence but don't need actual medical treatment, OnlineMed offers the best combination of speed, affordability, professionalism, and customer service. It's not going to replace your relationship with a primary care doctor, but for those situations where you're sick, you know what's wrong, and you just need the paperwork—it works remarkably well.

At $30, it costs less than most copays and a fraction of what you'd spend on urgent care or the ER. And unlike those options, you can do it from your couch at 11 PM when you realize you need documentation for tomorrow morning.

The real test of any service is what happens when something goes wrong. With OnlineMed, problems get solved quickly and without hassle. That alone makes it worth the slight premium over cheaper alternatives that leave you stranded when you need help.

This guide may be updated as services change or new options become available. If you have experiences with online doctor's note services—positive or negative—we'd love to hear from you.