Amazon has announced that it’s launching a virtual health clinic for Seattle-based employees and their families.
What is the goal of this virtual health clinic?
It will aim to provide telemedicine, in-person services, in-home follow-up appointments for employees, as well as serve as a vehicle for prescribing medications. This new app-based service would ultimately save employees and their family members time; which prior to was spent on traveling and waiting in line in order to be seen by a physician or nurse practitioner.
“We’re currently piloting a health care benefit designed to help Amazon employees get fast access to health care without an appointment, at the convenience of their schedules, at their preferred location (home, office, or virtual).” — Amazon spokesperson
Amazon states that covered employees can use the telemedicine service to connect with a provider to obtain healthcare advice or a diagnosis. If the provider decides that further examination is necessary, the employee can use Mobile Care, a service within the program that sends a nurse to the employee’s location.
The Mobile Care platform can be used to collect samples, conduct lab tests or physical exams, and administer vaccines. Employees can also receive prescribed medications through the app, and in some cases, via two hour delivery or pickup at their preferred pharmacy.
What does this mean for the healthcare industry?
Amazon’s growing presence in the market will only continue to pressure industry giants to make changes to improve efficiencies and combat rising healthcare costs.
In 2018, Amazon acquired online pharmacy PillPack and teamed up with Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan to create a new healthcare company.
In early 2019, Amazon also partnered with healthcare organizations that were interested in developing skills for Alexa to make it possible for the device to handle patient information.
With Amazon piloting this healthcare benefit and Seattle-based employees and their families hopefully benefiting from it, Amazon Care may be in high demand in no time.
Learn more about Amazon Care details here.