Amazon launches pay-per-visit virtual healthcare service for kids

Amazon One Medical, the primary care provider that the retail giant acquired in 2022, has introduced a new virtual healthcare service specifically designed for children aged 2 to 11. Announced on Thursday, this pay-per-visit model allows parents to access healthcare consultations without the need for insurance or a membership with One Medical. The service offers message-based consultations starting at just $29, while video visits are available for $49. This initiative aims to address a variety of common health concerns such as pink eye, lice, and over ten different skin issues, including eczema and contact dermatitis. Additionally, it provides renewals for critical medications like EpiPens and asthma inhalers. According to Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, family physician and national medical director for Amazon One Medical, the service is intended to complement, not replace, a family’s established relationship with their pediatrician. It serves as a convenient option for parents facing urgent health inquiries who may not have immediate access to their child's regular doctor. This launch comes at a time when major pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart are scaling back their health service offerings. Recently, Amazon has also introduced prescription vending machines at its One Medical clinics in Los Angeles, which dispense a range of commonly prescribed medications. This move could significantly impact traditional pharmacy businesses, which are already experiencing challenges, as evidenced by Rite Aid's closure of its remaining stores and CVS’s reduction of over 1,000 locations since 2021. With the introduction of this new service for children, Amazon is further cementing its position in the healthcare landscape. The company previously expanded into this sector by acquiring online pharmacy PillPack in 2018 for $750 million and launching Amazon Pharmacy in 2020, followed by the acquisition of One Medical for $3.9 billion two years later.