Amazon’s venture into healthcare through Haven under Atul Gawande’s leadership did not succeed as planned, but Amazon is still diving deep into the health care space. This summer it is launching a new health care initiative for workers across the nation. Amazon Care offers on-demand healthcare services, both telehealth and in-person.
Amazon Care has been around for Amazon employees since September 2019. It allows Amazon workers to get telehealth services–both primary care and urgent care–via the internet. It also affords workers who need at-home care from a health care professional in-person services. For example, people who need their blood drawn or their lungs listened to can schedule an appointment for a health care provider to come to them; they do not need to leave their homes.
Amazon Care also offers delivery of prescription drugs. Right now, Amazon Care is still only available to Amazon workers and their families in Washington state. But, this summer it is expanding its telehealth services to Amazon workers and workers at other companies throughout the US. And, it is also expanding its in-person at-home services to Washington DC and Baltimore, among other cities.
Amazon Care provides almost instantaneous telehealth services. The goal is for its virtual care to be quick and efficient; if successful, it will stand apart from its competitors. Moreover, unlike many of its competitors, Amazon Care allows for continuity of care, so that people can stay with one medical team rather than having to switch teams each time they need care.
To complement the telehealth and in-person services, there’s an Amazon Care app that can nudge people to refill prescriptions and to get follow-up care when needed. People can also schedule appointments through the app.
There’s no information on what Amazon Care charges for its services. It appears that, at least for now, the cost is on top of insurance premiums for the workplace coverage employers offer. It’s easy to imagine that, over time, it will be integrated into that coverage.
Amazon’s press release does not indicate whether it plans to coordinate with Medicare. Given the amount of money in Medicare, it’s hard to imagine it is not planning to do so. And, then, the question becomes, will Amazon Care drive down the cost of care and drive out its competitors?
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