Amazon made headlines last week when it completed its $3.9 billion purchase of hybrid primary care company One Medical. But what exactly does One Medical do?
The company employs primary care providers across more than 125 clinics in 19 markets, according to its website. One Medical then partners with local hosptials and health systems to provide specialty care.
One Medical offers a subscription-based membership — for $199 a year (though Amazon is now offering a promotion for $144 annually) — that gives patients access to its digital health platform, with 24-7 access to virtual care and online appointment booking and prescription renewals. The company still bills those patients' insurance for the visits.
The company aims to be patients' medical home — "partnering with you to manage your health issues and navigate complex medical decisions" — and uses diagnostic tests "appropriately" to avoid overdiagnosing, it says. One Medical says their providers see fewer patients than typical primary care providers, allowing them to spend more time with each of them.
The company also delivers health benefits to the employees of more than 8,500 businesses. It offers pediatrics and certified nutrition consultants in some of its offices and has walk-in lab services.