Why Amazon Clinic Can't Ensure Patient Privacy
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Amazon is joining the shift to telemedicine.
No, that’s not a typo.
The same company that delivers way too many packages to U.S. homes is branching out. Again.
But this time it may have bit off more data than it can lose…I mean handle.
Let’s explore what this means for the medical field and where HIPAA comes in.
Hitting Pause on Patient-Centered Care
Patient privacy has experienced new lows since 2020.
All in the name of “protecting society.” Or something like that.
Some examples:
- Asking non-family about vaccination status became a societal norm
- An ICD-10 code was assigned to those who didn’t keep up with the CDC recommendations
- New York teachers who declined the COVID shot had their fingerprints sent to the FBI
With misinformation from the media and White House, doctors were led to believe the unvaccinated were a threat. Some refused to treat them.
And the ICD-10 identifier made this process easier.
The last one is alarming. Because the educators weren’t aware until they sought work elsewhere and were turned down. All because their personnel files were flagged.
I provide this background to support my main point.
In 2023, patients are more wary than ever about their health data being exposed.
Big Tech in Healthcare
Processing medical records requests was an early job of mine in healthcare.
The hospital provided a crash course in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Enough to recognize when it’s being ignored.
And my how it took a backseat during COVID.
So, learning about Amazon Clinic from a LinkedIn connection peaked my interest.
Their website states the following:
“Amazon Clinic collects data for your virtual health visit and this includes information about your visit (like your messages with your clinician), as well as basic information like your name, date of birth, health information you provide via your intake form, and your payment information.”
Yikes.
This statement is totally normal in a medical clinic. But when it comes from a company with a poor track record of protecting user data, I’m a little concerned.
Additional limitations:
- They don’t currently accept health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid patients don’t qualify
- Prescriptions can’t be written
- HealthTap or SteadyMD (partners of Amazon Clinic) could provide a backdoor for cybercriminals
To conclude, there’s an alternate option that doesn’t need mountains of your patient data.
Final Thoughts
Holistic medicine isn’t interested in selling your information to data brokers. Or advertisers.
My healthcare content writing business is the megaphone for bringing awareness of their care.
I value my patient data just like you do. And each blog or web page places HIPAA at the forefront. Especially when sharing stories of healing and transformed lives.
Make a conscious effort to protect your data today!