Amazon officially launched a virtual clinic for common health conditions

Amazon has expanded its presence in the health care sector by officially launching a virtual clinic on November 15, 2022. The virtual health care platform aims to treat more than 20 common health conditions, such as allergies, acne, and hair loss.

The health platform known as Amazon Clinic, is a “message-based virtual care” service. According to Dr. Nworah Ayogu, the chief medical officer and general manager of the clinic, Amazon opened this clinic to connect “customers with affordable virtual care options when and how they need it- at home, after dinner, at the grocery store, or on the go”.

Amazon Clinic is currently available to access in 32 states, with plans to expand to more states in the near future. Currently the clinic does not accept insurance coverage yet.

According to Dr, Nworah Ayogu, it is quite easy and simple to use the Clinic. Customers only need to select their condition, “then choose their preferred provider from a list of licensed and qualified telehealth providers.” Customers can see how much a consultation will cost when they browse the list. Though the prices can vary depending on the providers, “the cost of care is equivalent or less than the average copay.” After choosing the clinician, they need to complete a short questionnaire before being connected to their clinician through a secure message-based portal. Following the consultation, a personalized treatment plan will be sent to customers via the portal including any necessary prescriptions to their preferred pharmacy. They can also choose the Amazon Pharmacy which offers 24/7 access to pharmacists.

Before Amazon Clinic, Amazon had already set its foot in the health care sector by having acquired online pharmacy PillPack in 2018. It then launched its own Amazon Pharmacy- Amazon’s full-service online pharmacy, in 2020. In July this year, Amazon also entered a $3.9 billion deal to acquire One Medical, a human-centered and technology-powered primary care service. However, Amazon Clinic is considered the tech giant’s effort to meet all health care demands given that sometimes customers only need “a quick interaction with a clinician for a common health concern that can be easily addressed virtually”.

This move continues to show Amazon’s ambition to broaden its reach into every corner of customers’ lives, from grocery stores, video streaming, to home devices and now health care services.