Frequently Asked Questions

Most telehealth consultations are brief, warm, and conversational — typically around 10 to 20 minutes. Your physician will usually call you within one hour of payment, or at your pre-scheduled appointment time. It's a relaxed, friendly conversation, so don't worry — it won't feel like a formal medical interview! 😊

Just a few simple things: your pet's name, breed, and sex, and a general sense of the symptoms you experience and how your companion animal helps you. That's truly it — your physician will guide the rest of the conversation at your pace and with your comfort in mind. If you're not sure what to say, don't stress! Our team has heard it all and is here to help, not judge. 🐕

Yes! Most patients receive their telehealth consultation and ESA letter the very same day they reach out to us. We do not charge expedited fees — same-day service is simply how we operate, because we understand how important your ESA letter is and we don't think you should have to wait or pay extra for it. (California residents with dogs follow a 30-day process required by state law.) 💛

Not necessarily! A licensed physician on our team can evaluate whether an ESA is medically appropriate for you, depending on your situation and applicable state requirements. You don't need to find a therapist or jump through extra hoops. One call to us and we take care of the rest. 🩺

Absolutely! Licensed physicians can evaluate patients and provide ESA documentation when medically appropriate. That is exactly what we do at My ESA MD — every single day. Our Medical Director, Dr. Rick Rieser, MD, brings over 30 years of medical experience, from Stanford Medical School to emergency surgery to oncology, and genuine compassion to every patient he sees. 🎓

My ESA MD charges a one-time flat fee of $110. That's it. No subscriptions, no recurring charges, no hidden fees, no renewal memberships, and absolutely no upsells. That single fee covers your consultation with a licensed physician, your ESA letter, and any follow-up verification paperwork your landlord or housing office sends our way. We believe in complete transparency — we quote one price and we bill one price. 💚

Your one-time fee of $110 includes: your initial consultation call, your telehealth medical evaluation with a licensed physician, your personalized physician-signed ESA letter delivered via PDF, and all follow-up verification requests from landlords or housing offices — handled by your physician and our staff at no extra charge. Further questions and communications with our team are also free. We truly mean it when we say one fee covers everything. 🙌

Your ESA letter from My ESA MD includes: your physician's name, signature, and professional credentials; their license number and NPI; a statement of medical necessity; the date of issuance; practice contact information for landlord verification; and the information housing providers typically ask for when reviewing an accommodation request. It's a complete, legitimate, professional document — not a template. 📄

No — and we want to be very clear about this because we care about protecting you. ESA registrations, certifications, and ID cards generally do not establish legal housing rights. Many websites selling these items are, frankly, scams. We focus solely on what actually matters: a legitimate medical evaluation and a properly issued ESA letter from a licensed physician. 🛡️

Yes! A legitimate ESA letter from a licensed healthcare provider is a lawful way to document your disability-related need for an emotional support animal when you ask for a housing accommodation. Since HUD changed its federal enforcement approach in May 2026, how much protection that request has depends more on your state — the Fair Housing Act itself didn't change, and many states have their own laws protecting ESAs. Our state-by-state guide explains what applies where you live. 💪

A legitimate ESA letter comes from a licensed healthcare provider after a real, professional evaluation — not an instant online approval or a paid certificate. It must include the provider's identifying information, license number, NPI, signature, and a statement of medical necessity. Every ESA letter from My ESA MD includes all of these. ✅

It depends on where you live. The Fair Housing Act still prohibits refusing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, and many states have their own laws protecting ESAs, but since May 2026 HUD's federal enforcement office no longer presumes that requests for untrained emotional support animals are reasonable. Our state-by-state guide explains what applies in your state. If a housing authority gives you trouble, don't panic — My ESA MD will go to bat for you. Your physician and our team handle all follow-up verification requests, and we stand behind every letter we issue. We've got your back. 🏠

In some circumstances, yes. Housing providers may deny a request in situations involving safety concerns, substantial property damage, or other legally recognized circumstances, and since 2026 the answer also depends more on your state's laws. If you're facing a denial, please reach out to us — our medical team is here to help you understand your rights and advocate for you. 🤝

It can, depending on where you live. A reasonable accommodation request asks your housing provider to make an exception to a no-pet policy because of a disability-related need. Some states' laws clearly protect emotional support animals this way; in others, the federal Fair Housing Act is the main protection, and HUD's 2026 enforcement change has made those requests less certain. Either way, your ESA is so much more than a pet to you — and we'll help you make that case. 🐾

It depends on where you live. Some states' laws prohibit pet rent and pet fees for a qualifying emotional support animal, and many housing providers waive them. But HUD no longer treats untrained emotional support animals as automatically exempt from pet fees, and some courts have allowed fees in specific cases. Our state-by-state guide can help, and we're always happy to help you ask. 💰

The federal Fair Housing Act applies in every state, but since HUD's May 2026 enforcement change, your state's own laws matter more than ever, and they vary a lot. Some states also have specific rules for the documentation itself (for example, California requires a 30-day provider relationship for emotional support dogs). Our state-by-state guide explains what applies where you live. My ESA MD evaluates every patient according to the applicable regulations of their state of residence, so you can feel confident your letter is appropriate for where you live. 🗺️

Some housing providers do contact the issuing healthcare provider to verify authenticity — and that's actually a good thing! It means your letter is being taken seriously. My ESA MD assists with all verification requests promptly and at no additional charge. Your physician's contact information and NPI are on every letter we issue, making verification easy and straightforward. ✔️

There is no universal legal expiration date for ESA letters, but some housing providers prefer recently dated documentation. Many of our patients choose to renew their documentation periodically as a precaution — and we're always here to help with that when the time comes. 📅

Many of our patients seek ESA accommodations for anxiety-related symptoms, and we completely understand how challenging that can be. During your telehealth consultation, your physician will evaluate your individual situation with care and compassion to determine whether an emotional support animal may be medically beneficial for you. You are not alone in this. 💙

Individuals experiencing depression may absolutely qualify if an emotional support animal helps alleviate symptoms and your physician determines medical necessity during your consultation. We know that depression can make everything feel harder — including asking for help. We're here to make this part easy and judgment-free. 💛

PTSD is one of several conditions that may qualify for ESA accommodations when supported by a professional evaluation. Our medical team approaches every patient with the sensitivity and respect they deserve. If your companion animal brings you comfort and relief, let's talk. 🕊️

Yes! Minors may qualify when evaluated through the appropriate process and with the active participation of a parent or legal guardian. If you're reaching out on behalf of a child, we'll walk you through the process with care every step of the way. 👨‍👩‍👧

Absolutely! College students living in dormitories or university housing frequently seek ESA accommodations, and valid documentation from a licensed physician is the right way to do it. We've helped many students get the support they need to live more comfortably on campus with their companion animals. 🎓

Absolutely! Emotional support animals can provide incredible companionship, comfort, and emotional grounding for adults of all ages. We are proud to serve patients across all walks of life and are always happy to help seniors navigate the process with patience and care. 🌟

Dogs are the most common emotional support animals, but cats and other domesticated animals may qualify depending on your individual needs and circumstances. If you have a question about a specific animal, just ask — we're happy to discuss your situation. 🐱🐶

Some individuals may genuinely require more than one emotional support animal, and that is completely valid. Additional documentation establishing medical necessity for each animal may be required. Give us a call and we'll talk through your specific situation with you. 🐾🐾

Yes, absolutely — and we are proud of it! My ESA MD is a physician-led telehealth practice and every ESA letter is based on a real consultation with a licensed physician. Our Medical Director, Dr. Rick Rieser, MD, has over 30 years of medical experience, from Stanford Medical School to emergency surgery to oncology. We are a real medical practice, not a document mill. 🏥

Online ESA letters can be completely legitimate — but only when they result from a real consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Please be cautious of websites offering instant approvals or selling letters without a real evaluation. Those are not valid and could put your housing situation at risk. At My ESA MD, every single letter follows a genuine telehealth evaluation with a licensed physician. No exceptions. 🛡️

Your privacy is something we take very seriously. We only ask for what we need to care for you, and your medical records are kept confidential and secure, as the law requires. We never sell patient information, we don't store credit card information, and we don't share your personal health information with marketers. We collect only what is necessary to provide your ESA evaluation — nothing more. 🔒

You will speak directly with a licensed physician in a warm, relaxed conversation about your symptoms, your history with your animal, and whether an emotional support animal may be medically beneficial for you. There's nothing scary or intimidating about it — it's a relaxed conversation with an experienced physician who is great at putting patients at ease. 😊

We are always here for you! Our team is available to assist with verification requests, general questions, and all reasonable follow-up support related to your ESA documentation — all at no additional charge. You are our patient and we take that relationship seriously. Just call or email us anytime. 📞

We are a family-run, physician-led practice focused exclusively on ESA evaluations — and we genuinely care about every patient we serve. We offer completely transparent pricing ($110, one time, no surprises), same-day service for most patients, direct access to a licensed physician (our Medical Director, Dr. Rieser, has 30+ years of experience), a strong commitment to your privacy, and ongoing support including free follow-up verification with landlords and housing offices. No housing authority is going to intimidate our team or bully you. You deserve your companion animal — and we're here to make sure you can keep them. 💚🐾