Covid-Safe Provider of Telemedicine Throughout the U.S.: Amazon Clinic Virtual Healthcare

UPDATE: The following comment has been left regarding this provider: “A recent expose in the Washington Post says that in order to use Amazon Clinic you have to agree to Amazon’s ” “use and disclosure of protected health information.” It authorizes Amazon to have your “complete patient file” and notes that the information “may be re-disclosed,” after which it “will no longer be protected by HIPAA.” ” This may be ok with some people, or it may not be, but they at least need to understand that they are signing away their HIPPA rights.” Please see comments section for all comments and dates.

Amazon Clinic has been submitted as a Covid-safe provider of telemedicine, telehealth, and remote medical appointments across the United States. Amazon Clinic currently can provide remote telemed services, with most appointments costing between $30 and $50, in 33 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The reason that they are not in all 50 states yet is because Amazon Clinic works for people medicine much like Vetsters does for veterinary medicine: they are not the actual providers of the services, they match you with a health care provider in your area through their portal. These 33 states are the states in which they currently have partner health care providers.

So basically you sign up for Amazon Clinic (which is free), and then, as they explain it, “Amazon Clinic connects you with a clinician to help you get treatment within 24 hours. Just tell us about your symptoms and receive a personalized treatment plan. No appointment needed.”

Amazon goes on to explain that you “start a visit quickly and discreetly, whenever works best for you,” and that “your clinician will review your symptoms and prescribe treatment.”

Here is how Amazon Clinic works, in a nutshell:

Choose a concern

Choose from a list of more than 20 everyday health concerns. We’ll ask some questions about your symptoms and health history.

Message with a clinician

A clinician will review your answers and reach out with any questions.

Receive your personalized treatment

Your clinician will send your treatment plan, including a prescription, if you need one.

The lists of conditions for which you can use Amazon Clinic includes:

Sinus infection
Acid reflux (GERD)
Quit smoking
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Gout flares
Motion sickness
Cold sores
Seasonal allergies
COVID-19
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Birth control
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Yeast infection
Emergency contraception
Genital herpes
Eyelash growth
Male hair loss
Rosacea
Anti-aging skin care
Dandruff
Athlete’s foot
Acne
Eczema
High blood pressure prescription renewal
Migraine prescription renewal
Asthma prescription renewal
High cholesterol prescription renewal

You may be wondering how Amazon makes money with Amazon Clinic. Presumably they have a fee-sharing arrangement with the clinics, plus they anticipate prescriptions being filled by Amazon Pharmacy.

Note that Amazon also recently completed acquiring national medical clinic chain One Medical, and is offering a different, subscription-based service ($199 a year although reduced to $144 a year as of the time of this writing), wholly separate from Amazon Clinic where you have your own doctor, 24/7 coverage and the option of in-person visits as well (similar to Nextera); you can check that offering out at amazon.com/onemedical.

You can read more about and sign up for Amazon Clinic at clinic.amazon.com.