Amazon says it will begin offering Prime members healthcare services from One Medical.
The $99-per-year — or $9 per month — program, announced Wednesday (Nov. 8), gives Prime members access to things like virtual and primary care services through One Medical, an Amazon-owned company.
“When it is easier for people to get the care they need, they engage more in their health and realize better health outcomes,” Neil Lindsay, senior vice president, Amazon Health Services, said in a news release.
“That’s why we are bringing One Medical’s exceptional experience to Prime members — it’s healthcare that makes it dramatically easier to get and stay healthy.”
According to the release, the One Medical membership offers unlimited, nationwide access to 24/7 virtual care, including video chats with providers and an in-app “Treat Me Now” feature that offers quick care for common ailments.
In addition, Prime members who take part in the program and live near a One Medical location can also schedule same-day and next-day remote or in-person appointments at the company’s primary care offices across the U.S.
“For office visits, customers use their insurance or pay out of pocket—One Medical also accepts health plans from most insurance carriers,” the release notes.
The announcement follows reports from September that Amazon was considering integrating One Medical’s primary care service with its Prime subscription program.
Amazon acquired One Medical in July 2022 for $3.9 billion, with Lindsay saying at the time that the company sees “a lot of opportunity to both improve the quality of the experience and give people back valuable time in their days.”
The new offering comes as Amazon, its rival Walmart, and a number of other retail players deepen their footprint into the healthcare field.
As PYMNTS wrote earlier this year, while Amazon and Walmart are competing in the same category, closer analysts suggest they aren’t vying for the same customers.
“Walmart’s healthcare is described as ‘accessible, convenient and affordable,’ while Amazon boasts ‘better health outcomes, better care experiences, and more value,’” that report said.
“Both descriptions speak to getting a good deal, but consumers who want ‘value’ have options. Those who want ‘affordable’ do not.”
Meanwhile, Amazon is trying to expand One Medical’s virtual healthcare customer base at a time when that sector of the health field is projected to balloon.
A recent report by Emergen Research shows the global telehealth market reaching around $450 billion in 2032, up from $84 billion in 2022.