Amazon Snaps Up Health Navigator To Power Primary Care Program

Amazon acquired Health Navigator, its second healthcare service for its employees, CNBC reported on Wednesday (Oct. 23).

The startup Health Navigator will help power Amazon Care, the eCommerce giant’s primary care pilot program. Amazon acquired online pharmacy PillPack last year for $753 million.

Health Navigator provides remote diagnoses and treatments on its digital platform. Based in La Grange, Ill., it was founded in 2014 by David Thompson, M.D., who is also its chief executive officer (CEO).

“The service eliminates travel and wait time, connecting employees and their family members to a physician or nurse practitioner through live chat or video, with the option for in-person follow up services from a registered nurse ranging from immunizations to instant strep throat detection,” an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC.

The Health Navigator platform was created for integration into online health services, including telemedicine and medical call centers, to standardize the process of working with patients. Its platform includes natural language processing-based tools for documenting health complaints and care recommendations and is integrated into apps with APIs.

Amazon Care offers online primary care and non-emergency checkups as well as prescription deliveries and in-home or in-office doctors’ visits. It is being piloted for its employees in Seattle and if it’s successful, Amazon Care will be offered in other cities.

Amazon employees who participate in the program can also receive routine medical care, such as vaccines, lab work, contraception, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases, according to the Amazon Care website. Amazon also contracted with Oasis Medical Group, led by Martin Levine, M.D., a service provider, to deliver healthcare services to its employees.

Last month, Amazon launched an exclusive line of over-the-counter health products. The Basic Care line is produced by private-label manufacturer Perrigo and includes 60 health items that range from over-the-counter medications to hygiene products.

Apple, Google and Microsoft are also exploring healthcare platforms that use artificial intelligence and wearables.