Amazon Prime members to be offered $9-a-month telehealth service - almost HALF the standard cost - which offers 24-hour access to physicians, medical records and prescription renewals
- Prime members will be able to add One Medical to their subscription for $9 per month - or $99 a year
- This is compared to the standard cost of $16.59 a month, or $199 annually, for the telehealth service
- The retail behemoth bought the primary care company for roughly $3.9 billion in July 2022
Amazon has announced that it is offering its Prime members a steeply discounted membership for One Medical, the primary care company it acquired last year for around $3.9 billion.
Prime customers will be able to add the virtual healthcare service to their subscriptions for just $9 per month - or $99 a year. This is compared to the standard cost of $16.59 a month, or $199 annually.
One Medical offers 24-hour virtual access to physicians, medical records release, prescription renewals and specialist referrals.
Users can also schedule an in-person appointment at one of a network of boutique practices, which are primarily around major cities in the US.
It is the latest move by the retail behemoth to deepen its healthcare relationship with shoppers, and carve out a slice of the $4.3 trillion US healthcare market.
![One Medical offers 24-hour virtual access to physicians, medical records release, prescription renewals and specialist referrals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/08/17/77563975-12725543-One_Medical_offers_24_hour_virtual_access_to_physicians_medical_-a-17_1699463167641.jpg)
One Medical offers 24-hour virtual access to physicians, medical records release, prescription renewals and specialist referrals
Neil Lindsay, senior vice president of health services at Amazon, said in a statement: 'When it is easier for people to get the care they need, they engage more in their health, and realize better health outcomes.
'That's why we are bringing One Medical's exceptional experience to Prime members - it's health care that makes it dramatically easier to get and stay healthy.'
Prime members can add up to five additional family members to their One Medical subscription for $6 per month for each family member.
In-person visits to a clinic are charged through insurance or out-of-pocket.
The tech giant has steadily added a slew of extra benefits to its Prime offering - which currently has 167 million subscribers in the US.
Since launching in 2005, the service, which is now $14.99 per month or $139 annually, has offered faster shipping, as well as access to exclusive movies and TV shows in a bid to boost subscribers.
This is the second time Amazon has cut the telehealth service's price for Prime members. In July, the retail giant offered Prime members One Medical subscriptions for $144 for their first year.
![Neil Lindsay, senior vice president of health services at Amazon, said in a statement: 'When it is easier for people to get the care they need, they engage more in their health, and realize better health outcomes.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/08/17/77564195-12725543-Neil_Lindsay_senior_vice_president_of_health_services_at_Amazon_-a-22_1699464316078.jpg)
Neil Lindsay, senior vice president of health services at Amazon, said in a statement: 'When it is easier for people to get the care they need, they engage more in their health, and realize better health outcomes.'
![Users can also schedule an in-person appointment at one of a network of boutique practices, which are primarily around major cities in the US. These in-person visits are charged through insurance or out-of-pocket](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/08/17/77563973-12725543-Users_can_also_schedule_an_in_person_appointment_at_one_of_a_net-a-16_1699464691689.jpg)
Users can also schedule an in-person appointment at one of a network of boutique practices, which are primarily around major cities in the US. These in-person visits are charged through insurance or out-of-pocket
For years, Amazon and other tech giants, including Walmart and Costco, have been working to break into the telehealth sphere - with varying degrees of success.
In many cases, privacy laws relating to healthcare have impeded rapid growth and adoption.
Amazon runs its own online pharmacy, which grew out of its $750 million acquisition of prescription drug company PillPack in 2018.
Haven, a joint venture between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase to lower employee healthcare costs, disbanded in 2021 after three years.
In August last year the company also shut down its Amazon Care telehealth service amid broader cost-cutting efforts.
But in November 2022 it launched Amazon Clinic - a marketplace where customers can have text-based or video visits with doctors. It is effectively a partnership between the company and a series of digital health startups.
![It is the latest move by the retail behemoth to deepen its healthcare relationship with shoppers, and carve out a slice of the $4.3 trillion US healthcare market](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/08/17/77563173-12725543-It_is_the_latest_move_by_the_retail_behemoth_to_deepen_its_healt-a-17_1699464691702.jpg)
It is the latest move by the retail behemoth to deepen its healthcare relationship with shoppers, and carve out a slice of the $4.3 trillion US healthcare market
A Forbes analysis earlier this year found Amazon Clinic one-time consultations could range in price from $30 to $95 depending on the condition. This means an annual One Medical membership could be close to the price of some Amazon Clinic visits.
Lindsay told Forbes the pricing discrepancy between these offerings reflects the company's intention to provide a range of care.
'We definitely don't think about it as competition,' he said. 'We think about it in terms of choice, convenience and then continuity of care.'
He told the outlet One Medical focuses on long-term patient relationships with a primary care doctor, while Amazon Clinic is intended for more 'one-off' urgent care scenarios.
He described the One Medical offering as 'ideal for busy families.'
By contrast, he suggest Amazon Clinic could be ideal especially for the under 30 demographic that does not already go to a primary care doctor.
'Some people may choose the membership, and some people might be happy to do the one-off,' he added.