Amazon has been steadily expanding its healthcare footprint, making moves that span employee benefits, retail innovation and partnerships with major health systems.
From cutting health insurance costs for its workforce to extending One Medical collaborations, here are six Amazon healthcare moves since July 1:
1. In September, Amazon announced a $1 billion investment to reduce healthcare costs for full-time employees. The company will lower the weekly cost of its basic employer-sponsored health plan from more than $7 to $5 while maintaining its “Day 1” coverage policy for U.S. fulfillment and transportation employees and their families. Co-pays for primary care visits will drop from $40 to $5. On average, employees are expected to save 28% on weekly premiums and 88% on physician visits.
2. Also in September, Amazon added Fay, a dietitian platform, as the first nutrition care service available through its Health Benefits Connector. Fay matches individuals with registered dietitians based on their goals, health history and insurance eligibility, providing counseling, preventive care and coaching, often at no cost to patients.
3. In August, Charleston, S.C.-based Roper St. Francis Healthcare debuted a café and gift shop powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out AI. Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital launched the market Aug. 25, allowing customers to pay by scanning a card or badge upon entry instead of checking out at a register.
4. In August, Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare announced plans to expand its partnership with Amazon’s One Medical. Building on a collaboration that began in 2022, the system has launched three care sites and expects more. The program supports about 750 visits per month, blending virtual and in-person care.
5. In July, Rush University System for Health in Chicago rolled out Rush Connect+, a $19-per-month digital membership. The service provides 24/7 virtual urgent care and a personal assistant for care navigation, designed to meet younger, convenience-focused patients’ needs in what leaders described as an “Amazon-like” experience.
6. Mass General Brigham and Amazon One Medical announced plans in July to open a new primary care clinic in Wellesley, Mass., their ninth site in the Boston area, continuing their collaboration to expand access through tech-enabled care.
