Please support Telehealth.org’s ability to deliver helpful news, opinions, and analyses by turning off your ad blocker. On February 22, 2023, Amazon Health announced the acquisition of One Medical, a membership-based primary care practice with an impressive footprint. One Medical has been offering 24/7 virtual care services, on-site labs, preventive care, chronic care management, care for common illnesses and mental health concerns for 15 years. As of 2022, the company had 767,000 members and 8,000 corporate clients. Early reports of the pending Amazon acquisition were announced in August of 2022 when Amazon made a $3.9 billion offer to buy One Medical made telehealth news.
The One Medical acquisition comes just a few months after Amazon closed its Amazon Care telehealth business which had included the August acquisition of Ginger. The company’s pivot away from Amazon Care and purchase of One Medical point to Amazon’s interest in a clear hybrid care strategy.
Amazon’s One Medical Services
Dominating the US retail market, Amazon has access to millions of Americans. Amazon Prime memberships are reportedly owned by more than 200 million people worldwide. One of the worldwide leaders in advanced technology, advanced consumer data, and analytics, the company is positioned to be a worldwide leader in virtual care expansion. Amazon’s healthcare strategy aims to provide better patient outcomes more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Benefits offered by One Medical’s website include “exceptional primary care, helping with everything from common illnesses to chronic diseases and mental health concerns” with the following:
- Access to offices in many US cities and the ability to schedule a remote visit with your provider
- Appointments that start on time
- Drop-in lab services at One Medical offices
- Message a provider in the app
- Compassionate doctors and providers who take the time to listen.
The services offered by Amazon’s One Medical revolve around subscriptions for primary care services available to new US customers at an annual rate of $144 per year for $12 per month, a fee discounted by 28% for the first year. Subsequent years will be billed at $199.
One Medical services currently include:
- 24/7 virtual care via messaging or video
- Online appointment booking
- On-demand video chat
- In-app prescription requests and renewals
Patients are also offered prescription delivery services through Amazon pharmacy.
Predictions for Amazon’s One Medical
Amir Dan Rubin, CEO of One Medical, described the One Medical vision:
We now set our sights on delivering even further positive impacts for consumers, employers, care teams, and health networks, as we join Amazon with its long-term orientation, history of invention, and passion for reimagining a better future.
One Medical’s approach to healthcare is to provide primary care with:
- Access to primary care where, when, and how people prefer, with a hybrid model of in-person and virtual services:
- The One Medical app, whereby people are given more control over how they seek care and the ability to do so from home or on-the-go, through an app
- 24/7 video chats and easy in-app messaging, which are included in membership at no extra cost
- Yet, One Medical accepts most major insurance health plans for some services, such as in-office appointments
- Minimal waiting with same and next-day in-office or remote visits
- Numerous on-site offices that are thoughtfully designed and welcoming and positioned where people work, live, and shop
- On-site laboratory services are available on a walk-in basis.
Privacy Concerns
By adding highly personal healthcare data through Amazon virtual care to people’s customer purchasing profiles, Amazon’s ambitions have been the focus of concern about the potential for patient data privacy violations. However, readers may recall Telehealth.org’s report dated January 4, 2023, wherein Amazon was the only telehealth startup of 50 reviewed in light of their stated HIPAA policies. This remarkable fact is worth noting in a year where US Senators have sharply criticized several telehealth startups for their reported misuse of patient information.
Employment with Amazon’s One Medical
Professionals seeking on-premises employment with One Medical are encouraged to review job openings on the One Medical career page. Virtual openings are eagerly anticipated by many of Amazon’s fans.
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