Amazon Expands Amazon Care Nationwide

Amazon has expressed satisfaction with the results of its Amazon Care pilot program in Seattle. Consequently, the company announced today that it will broaden the service’s availability throughout the United States this summer. This expansion includes offering the service to businesses of all sizes, not just its own workforce.

A Hybrid Healthcare Model

The Amazon Care approach integrates both on-demand virtual care and in-person medical services. It is designed as a solution from the technology giant to address deficiencies in existing employer-sponsored healthcare options.

In a recent blog post, Amazon highlighted the rapid access to care afforded to its employees and their families through the remote features of Amazon Care. These features, accessible via a dedicated Amazon Care app, facilitate direct, real-time conversations with nurses or doctors.

How Amazon Care Works

When in-person care is required, a medical professional is dispatched to the patient’s home. This includes services like administering blood tests and performing physical examinations. Prescriptions are also conveniently delivered directly to the patient’s doorstep.

Rollout Strategy

The expansion will be implemented differently for remote and in-person care options. Remote services will become available to Amazon employees and other participating companies starting this summer.

The in-person component will be rolled out more gradually, beginning with service in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and additional cities in the coming months, according to the company.

Availability in Washington State

Currently, Amazon Care is extending its reach within its home state of Washington to serve other companies. The aim is to encourage businesses to incorporate Amazon Care into their employee benefits packages.

Amazon is emphasizing the speed of testing services, including the delivery of results, as a key advantage, particularly for tests like those for COVID-19.

A Familiar Amazon Experience

The in-person care aspect of Amazon Care features a unique element reminiscent of Amazon’s core business. The app provides users with real-time updates on the estimated arrival time of their physician or medical technician, mirroring the tracking experience for package deliveries.

From Joint Venture to Solo Effort

Although the Amazon Care pilot launched only a year and a half ago, Amazon has been focused on transforming the corporate healthcare landscape for some time. In early 2018, the company formed a joint venture with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan to address perceived shortcomings in the private corporate healthcare market.

This partnership was officially dissolved at the beginning of this year, after three years of limited progress. Amazon and its partners cited individual advancements in addressing the initial problems as a reason for the dissolution.

While the work of Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan may be less visible, Amazon clearly pointed to Amazon Care as its own progress.

Following a Trend, But Aiming Higher

It is common for large technology companies to develop their own healthcare benefits for employees to attract and retain talent. Apple and Google, for example, both operate on-site wellness centers with medical staff.

However, Amazon’s ambitions appear to surpass those of its competitors. The company intends to establish Amazon Care as a standalone business, similar to the evolution of Amazon Web Services (AWS).