On Wednesday, Amazon announced the arrival of a virtual health care offering for children ages two through 11.
Through its Amazon One Medical brand, the Seattle-based retail giant is allowing parents and guardians to book pay-per-visit telehealth appointments with "certified family care providers for select children's health care needs," including pink eye, lice, skin-related issues and renewals of EpiPen and asthma medications.
The $29 message-based visits and $49 video consultations are available to the public and include treatment plans and prescriptions when needed. Amazon has also tied this offering to its pharmacy division to support prescription fulfillment for customers of this new service.
Why It Matters
Amazon completed its acquisition of One Medical, a startup that offered online and in-person primary care with multiple locations in major metro areas, in 2023. One Medical's business model had customers paying a monthly subscription fee for unlimited 24/7 on-demand virtual care, with scheduled visits billed separately. It rebranded to Amazon One Medical in 2024.
Amazon acquired PillPack in 2018, leading to the launch of Amazon Pharmacy at the beginning of its foray into the health care space. That same year, Amazon started a joint venture with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan called Haven Healthcare that dissolved in 2021.
It launched Amazon Care, a virtual health care program for company employees, in 2019, before bringing it to the public in 2021 and launching Amazon Clinic in 2022, eventually merging that into Amazon One Medical.
The company recently announced that Amazon Pharmacy vending machines will be appearing in Amazon One Medical locations, starting with Los Angeles in December and expanding their presence from there.
What To Know
Access to health care remains a challenge for many in the country amid hospital closures, layoffs and staffing shortages. Pharmacy chains are also shutting down locations. Amazon One Medical leaders say the purpose is to address situational needs for parents and children.
What People Are Saying
Bergen Elsa, general manager for Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit, said: "This service makes it easier for families to connect with trusted family care providers, day or night, saving time and money while providing peace of mind to parents and helping kids feel better sooner."
Natasha Bhuyan, MD, family physician and national medical director for Amazon One Medical, said: "This service isn't meant to replace a family's relationship with their child's pediatrician, but rather to serve as a convenient option for those 'in-between' moments for parents with time-sensitive concerns who don't already have on-demand access through a One Medical membership."