Amazon offers on-demand primary care benefit to Prime members
Amazon is expanding its presence in health care — and enhancing its Prime subscription program — with a new benefit for Prime members.
The online retail giant is now offering Prime members unlimited access to 24/7 on-demand virtual care from One Medical, the membership-based primary health care provider it acquired for $3.9 billion in February 2023. The benefit covers video chats with licensed providers "within minutes," as well as in-app “Treat Me Now” feature that is designed to to help members get fast care for common concerns like cold and flu, skin issues, allergies and urinary tract infections.
In addition, Prime members who sign up for the new benefit and live near a One Medical location can also schedule same- and next-day remote or in-person appointments at any One Medical primary care office nationwide. (For office visits, customers use their insurance or pay out of pocket; One Medical accepts health plans from most insurance carriers.)
The new benefit is available to Prime members for $9 a month. or $99 annually, compared to the standard One Medical membership cost of $199 annually, or $16.59 a month. A family add-on option is available for up to five additional memberships, each for $6 a month.
"When it is easier for people to get the care they need, they engage more in their health and realize better health outcomes,” said Neil Lindsay, senior VP, Amazon Health Services. “That’s why we are bringing One Medical’s exceptional experience to Prime members—it’s health care that makes it dramatically easier to get and stay healthy.”
Virtual care is available nationally, and Prime members don’t incur any additional costs for on-demand virtual care services, which are covered by the subscription cost for the One Medical membership benefit. The One Medical app manages tasks such as prescription management, secure messaging with providers, and follow-up action items after appointments.
“This new benefit is the latest example of how we’re making it easier for Prime members to take care of their health," added Jamil Ghani, VP, Amazon Prime
Amazon expands health care services
Amazon has been trying to make inroads into the health care market for the past several years, starting with its acquisition of PillPack in 2018 and the launch of its own online pharmacy in 2020. Last year, it reversed course on its Amazon Care virtual health care program for employees, shutting down the program.
In addition, the company recently made Amazon Clinic available to customers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Launched in November 2022 and previously only available in 32 states, the solution provides virtual care from licensed clinicians for more than 30 common health concerns.
Customers can access the clinicians 24/7 directly though Amazon.com and the Amazon mobile app. In addition to video visits nationwide, Amazon Clinic provides message-based consultations in 34 states.