On Nov. 15, Amazon introduced its newest offering, Amazon Clinic. According to a press release, the healthcare store will allow customers to select from a network of telehealth providers—the telehealth providers on Amazon Clinic have been evaluated by Amazon’s clinical leadership team.
The press release states that “Amazon Clinic is simple and easy to use. To get started, customers select their condition, then choose their preferred provider from a list of licensed and qualified telehealth providers. Next, they complete a short intake questionnaire. Customers and clinicians then directly connect through a secure message-based portal, giving customers the flexibility to message their clinician when it’s most convenient for them—anytime, anywhere. After the message-based consultation, the clinician will send a personalized treatment plan via the portal, including any necessary prescriptions to the customer’s preferred pharmacy.”
The release adds that if virtual care isn’t right for the customer’s problem, the organization will let them know before they are connected to a provider.
“For customers, the cost of consultations will vary by provider and includes ongoing follow-up messages with their clinician for up to two weeks after the initial consultation,” the release notes. “Amazon Clinic does not yet accept insurance. If a prescription is part of treatment, Amazon Clinic customers may select any pharmacy to fill it, including Amazon Pharmacy, Amazon’s full-service online pharmacy that offers 24/7 access to pharmacists and fast, free delivery of prescription medications. Similar to a traditional doctor’s visit, the cost of any medication prescribed is not included in the cost of the visit, but customers may use their insurance to pay for medications.”
Amazon Clinic will be offered in 32 states and has plans to expand to more. A full list of conditions for treatment and locations Amazon Clinic is available is accessible here.
Additionally, the press release addresses security and privacy concerns. The release says that “We care deeply about customer privacy and data security. We have extensive experience protecting data of all kinds appropriately across a variety of businesses and remain focused on the important mission of protecting customers’ health information. We have stringent customer privacy policies and comply with HIPAA and all other applicable laws and regulations.”
