Amazon Launches Telehealth Service Across U.S.

<div class="block">Amazon has launched a new telehealth service called Amazon Clinic. Senior reporter Michelle Castillo talked about the official kickoff of the service across the 50 states.</div>

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Amazon Launches Clinic Services in 50 States

And Amazon is expanding into telehealth. The company rolled out its virtual service. Amazon Clinic across the nation today. New senior reporter Michelle Castillo is how is here to help us sort it all out. So what do we know about Amazon Clinic? Well, if you're looking for telehealth services, Amazon wants to be top of mind. The company announced the nation wide launch of its virtual care service today. Now, if Amazon Clinic sounds familiar, it's because it actually launched in November last year, it can diagnose and help give advice for more than 30 conditions ranging from pink eye to erectile dysfunction. But today it's available in 50 states and Washington DC. In addition to video chats in all us markets, it can do message based consultation in 34 states and it's available 24 7 on Amazon dot com and the Amazon mobile app. Now, Amazon itself isn't providing these medical services. It's partnered with telehealth providers like a health. Hello, Alpha, Steady, MD and Wheel. Everything is secure, private and hi a compliant. Now, if you're in a different market, prices may vary depending on your location, but it's about $30 per visit in most areas it does not take insurance and you can get your prescriptions filled by Amazon as well. And this is all part of Amazon's expansion into health care. You've been telling us about this for years. What else have they done recently? You're right. Hanna Amazon has been trying to get into health care in a major way, but it hasn't always been successful. So let's point out some of the recent ongoing projects. So in addition to Amazon Care, it also has the prescription service I had mentioned earlier, you don't need a prime membership to use either, but you do get two free, a free two day on prescriptions. If you are a prime member, you might remember it also purchase health care provider. One medical that deal closed in February 2023 for $3.9 billion. And previously, it also bought prescription provider pill pack in 2018 as well. But as I pointed out, not all of Amazon's health vendors are still with us or have been a success. You might remember employer focus health care service, Amazon Care that actually shut down in December 31st last year. They also had a co venture with Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan Chase called Haven Health Care and that was also disbanded recently. That was supposed to be a not for profit service to give us workers and families affordable health care. And does Amazon stand a chance to be a competitive player? In the world of health care, Michelle, it's a tough space, Hannah. But according to the US government, the industry was worth four point $3 trillion in 2021. So there's a lot of money to be made. And with the lack of universal health care, Amazon is looking to see profits, but it has a lot of competition in the space from existing providers who do take insurance. That's not to mention a fellow tech giant Apple has also delved into health care and its products can collect personal data that can exist. Physicians with diagnoses. Amazon does have Halo and Alexa but it isn't as competitive as Apple in the wearable space. However, one medical that Amazon acquisition has been building up plans to launch on demand therapy that hasn't happened yet, but it could give Amazon a valuable foothold in that space considering that there's a nationwide shortage of therapists and mental health providers. You know, I'm so glad you said that my mind first went to mental health when you told us about this story, Michelle Castillo live in the studio. Thank you so much Michelle.