Update June 2026
Virtual primary care lets you meet with a clinician online for many everyday and ongoing healthcare needs, including preventive care, sick visits, chronic condition support, sexual and reproductive health, mental health medication management, labs, prescriptions, and referrals.
At FOLX, virtual primary care is designed specifically for LGBTQIA+ people. That means you can get care from clinicians who understand queer and trans lives, bodies, relationships, and health goals — without the waiting room, the misgendering, or the feeling that you have to explain yourself from scratch.
What is virtual primary care?
Virtual primary care is healthcare you receive through telehealth, usually by video visit or secure messaging. Instead of going into a clinic for every appointment, you can meet with a clinician from home or another private space.
A virtual primary care clinician can help with many of the same things you might bring to an in-person primary care provider, including:
- Wellness visits
- Preventive health screenings
- Lab orders and lab review
- Common illnesses
- Medication questions and refills
- Chronic condition management
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Mental health medication management
- Referrals to specialists or in-person care when needed
Some healthcare needs still require in-person care. But for many common concerns, virtual primary care can be a safer, easier, and more accessible way to get started.
What makes virtual primary care at FOLX different?
FOLX is virtual healthcare built by and for LGBTQIA+ people. Our clinicians are trained in LGBTQIA+ health and understand that affirming care is not a nice-to-have — it is part of quality care.
With FOLX, you can talk openly about your body, identity, hormones, sex life, relationships, mental health, family-building goals, and health concerns without starting from zero.
That can matter whether you’re coming in for something simple, like a sinus infection or a rash, or something more ongoing, like hormone care, anxiety medication, STI prevention, menopause symptoms, or chronic condition support.
What can FOLX virtual primary care help with?
FOLX clinicians can help with many everyday and ongoing health needs through virtual care, including:
- Preventive care and wellness visits
- Sick visits for common health concerns
- Gender-affirming hormone therapy
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Mental health medication management
- Menopause and perimenopause care
- Low testosterone care
- Chronic condition support
- Labs and lab follow-up
- Medication refills
- Referrals and care navigation
- Letters for gender-affirming care, when clinically appropriate
The exact care available to you may depend on your state, your health needs, your clinician type, and whether a concern can be safely handled through telehealth.
Preventive care and wellness visits
Virtual primary care can help you stay on top of your health before something becomes urgent.
A FOLX clinician may help with:
- Annual wellness visits
- Preventive screenings
- Lab orders
- Medication reviews
- Health history review
- Vaccination questions
- Family history and risk factors
- Lifestyle goals
- Referrals for in-person screenings, imaging, or specialty care
Your clinician can also help you understand what preventive care may be recommended based on your age, body, health history, medications, and goals.
Sick visits and everyday health concerns
You can also use FOLX primary care when something comes up and you want medical guidance.
FOLX clinicians may be able to help with concerns like:
- Cough, cold, or congestion
- Sore throat
- Sinus symptoms
- Pink eye
- Rashes
- Acne, eczema, or other skin concerns
- UTIs
- Yeast infections
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Headaches or migraines
- Allergies
- Cold sores
- Back pain or mild muscle pain
If your symptoms suggest you need an in-person exam, imaging, urgent care, or emergency care, your clinician can help you understand the next step.
Chronic condition support
Virtual primary care can also help with ongoing health conditions that need monitoring, labs, medication management, or follow-up.
FOLX clinicians may support care for:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Thyroid conditions
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Migraines
- Anemia
- GI symptoms
- Skin conditions
- Medication monitoring
Some chronic conditions require in-person exams or specialist care. If that’s the case, FOLX can help with referrals and care navigation.
Gender-affirming hormone therapy and primary care
For many trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people, primary care and gender-affirming care are connected. Your hormones, labs, medications, preventive care, mental health, sexual health, and long-term wellness all matter.
FOLX clinicians can support gender-affirming hormone therapy, including:
- Starting estrogen or testosterone
- Continuing hormone therapy
- Restarting hormone therapy
- Adjusting dose, route, or care goals
- Lab monitoring
- Medication refills
- Questions about side effects
- Pre- and post-surgery support
- Referrals or letters when clinically appropriate
You do not need to separate “gender care” from “regular care.” At FOLX, your whole health belongs in the room.
Sexual and reproductive health
FOLX virtual primary care can include sexual and reproductive healthcare that is queer-centered, trans-affirming, and nonjudgmental.
Care may include:
- STI testing and treatment
- HIV testing
- PrEP
- PEP
- Birth control
- Emergency contraception
- UTI care
- Yeast infection care
- BV care
- Herpes treatment
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Low testosterone
- PCOS
- Painful sex
- Libido changes
- Fertility and family-building conversations
We do not assume what kind of sex you have, what body parts you use, who you love, or what your relationships look like. Your clinician is there to help you get care that fits your actual life.
Mental health medication management
Primary care can also support some mental health needs, especially when medication management is part of your care plan.
FOLX clinicians may help with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Stress and burnout
- Medication starts or refills
- Side effect questions
- Referrals to therapy or specialty care when needed
Depending on your state and needs, FOLX may also offer therapy or help connect you with affirming mental health resources.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself or someone else, call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911.
Labs, imaging, and referrals
Your FOLX clinician can order labs when they’re clinically appropriate. Labs may be used for preventive care, hormone monitoring, medication safety, chronic condition management, or symptom evaluation.
If you need imaging, a specialist, an in-person exam, or a procedure, your clinician can help with referrals and next steps.
FOLX may help with:
- Lab orders
- Lab result review
- Medication monitoring
- Referrals to in-person care
- Referrals to specialists
- Referrals to affirming providers when possible
- Surgery or gender-affirming care letters, when clinically appropriate
- Name and gender marker change letters, when clinically appropriate
When do you need in-person care?
Virtual primary care can help with a lot, but it cannot replace every kind of healthcare.
You may need in-person, urgent, or emergency care for:
- Severe chest pain
- Severe abdominal pain
- Moderate to severe shortness of breath
- Significant head injury
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe weakness or confusion
- Symptoms that require imaging or a hands-on exam
- Severe infection symptoms
- Broken bones or major injuries
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts or urges
- Any medical emergency
FOLX is not an emergency service. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care right away.
How does virtual primary care work at FOLX?
To get virtual primary care at FOLX, you’ll start by joining FOLX and creating your account. From there, you can book a visit, complete your intake, and meet with a clinician online.
Here’s what to expect:
- Join FOLX.
- Choose the type of care you need.
- Book a virtual visit.
- Complete your intake forms.
- Meet with a clinician by video.
- Get a care plan, which may include labs, prescriptions, referrals, or follow-up.
- Message your care team with questions about your care.
FOLX membership is $43.99/month or $349/year when paid annually. Visits, labs, and medications are billed separately. Some members may be able to use insurance for parts of their care, depending on their plan and location.
How should I prepare for a virtual primary care visit?
Before your visit, try to find a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable talking. It can also help to have a few things ready:
- A list of your current medications
- Your main symptoms or questions
- Any recent lab results, if you have them
- Your pharmacy information
- Your insurance information, if you plan to use insurance
- A blood pressure cuff, thermometer, scale, or glucose meter, if relevant to your concern
You do not need to have every detail perfectly organized. Your clinician can help guide the conversation.
Do I need to be on camera?
FOLX may require video at the beginning of a visit for identification. After that, your clinician can work with you based on what feels comfortable and clinically appropriate.
We know video visits can feel vulnerable. You can let your clinician know what you need to feel more comfortable during the appointment.
Can FOLX be my primary care provider?
For many members, yes. FOLX can support many primary care needs virtually, including preventive care, sick visits, chronic condition management, prescriptions, labs, and referrals.
Some people use FOLX as their main primary care option. Others use FOLX alongside in-person care, specialty care, or local providers. Your clinician can help you understand what makes sense for your needs.
The bottom line
Virtual primary care at FOLX gives LGBTQIA+ people a way to get affirming healthcare from home. FOLX clinicians can help with preventive care, sick visits, chronic conditions, gender-affirming hormone therapy, sexual and reproductive health, mental health medication management, labs, prescriptions, referrals, and more.
Healthcare should feel easier to access and safer to use. FOLX is here to help you get care that understands who you are.
Frequently asked questions
What is virtual primary care?
Virtual primary care is healthcare you receive online through video visits, secure messaging, and digital care tools. It can help with many common needs, including preventive care, sick visits, medications, labs, chronic condition support, and referrals.
Can virtual primary care replace an in-person doctor?
Sometimes, but not always. Virtual primary care can handle many common health needs, but some symptoms, exams, imaging, procedures, and emergencies require in-person care.
What can FOLX primary care help with?
FOLX primary care can help with wellness visits, sick visits, chronic condition support, gender-affirming hormone therapy, sexual and reproductive health, mental health medication management, menopause and perimenopause care, low testosterone care, labs, prescriptions, and referrals.
Can FOLX prescribe medication?
Yes, when clinically appropriate. A FOLX clinician can prescribe medications and send prescriptions to a local or delivery pharmacy, depending on the medication and your care plan.
Can FOLX order labs?
Yes. FOLX clinicians can order labs when needed for your care, including labs for preventive care, hormone therapy, medication monitoring, chronic condition management, or symptom evaluation.
Can I use insurance for FOLX virtual primary care?
Some members can use insurance for parts of their care, depending on their plan and location. You can also use FOLX without insurance and pay out of pocket.
How much does FOLX cost?
FOLX membership is $43.99/month or $349/year when paid annually. Visits, labs, and medications are billed separately.
Is FOLX virtual primary care only for people on hormones?
No. FOLX primary care is for LGBTQIA+ adults with many kinds of health needs. You do not need to be on hormones or seeking gender-affirming hormone therapy to use FOLX.
