Amazon Care, Amazon's telemedicine service, is moving from the pilot phase to an offer available to all businesses in the United States. Through virtual consultations and in-home care, it aims to reduce healthcare costs by directly targeting employers, transforming the healthcare coverage model.
Amazon continues its offensive in the healthcare sector with its telemedicine service, Amazon Care, which is emerging from its pilot phase after a year and a half of testing. First launched in Seattle in 2019 for Amazon employees, it will now be available from summer 2025 for all businesses in the United States.
Amazon's teleconsultation service enables users to contact healthcare professionals via a mobile app, available on iOS and Android. In addition to consultations via chat or video calls, Amazon Care also offers home visits for additional care.
The service has already won praise from Amazon employees, notably for its effectiveness during the Covid-19 crisis, with services such as screening. In addition to care, it also offers wellness coaching, sleep management and preventive services such as vaccinations.
Unlike other telemedicine players who turn to partnerships with insurers, Amazon targets employers directly. In the U.S., employers are responsible for employee health coverage. By establishing contracts directly with companies, Amazon hopes to reduce administrative costs and, consequently, lower healthcare costs for employers and their employees.
With Amazon Care, the US healthcare model could be transformed, turning companies into healthcare providers for their employees. This evolution is part of a drive to make healthcare more accessible and less costly, while offering an innovative and rapid solution within everyone's reach.
Source : ICTjournal
