The Blubber

Amazon, $AMZN, has announced its health care program will be available gor Prime Members at $9 a month.

Amazon is enhancing its popular Prime subscription program by offering discounted One Medical memberships to its members.

The company announced that Prime members can now enroll in One Medical for $9 per month or $99 annually, compared to the standard cost of $199 per year or $16.59 per month. Additionally, Prime members can include up to five extra memberships on the same plan at a rate of $6 per person, as stated by Amazon.

This integration of One Medical into the Prime membership service follows Amazon's acquisition of the primary healthcare provider in July 2022, at an approximate cost of $3.9 billion. One Medical manages a network of specialized primary care practices in select parts of the United States, particularly in major cities. Users can access healthcare services through the One Medical app and schedule virtual or in-person appointments at a physical location.

Neil Lindsay, Senior Vice President of Amazon Health, emphasized the benefits of the integration, stating, "When it is easier for people to get the care they need, they engage more in their health and realize better health outcomes. That’s why we are bringing One Medical’s exceptional experience to Prime members - it’s healthcare that makes it dramatically easier to get and stay healthy."

Amazon has been continuously enhancing the Prime membership program over the years to attract more subscribers. Introduced in 2005, Amazon Prime offers free two-day shipping, exclusive access to movies and TV shows, and various other perks. The annual membership fee is $139. As of April 2021, the service had over 200 million subscribers worldwide.

By adding a One Medical benefit, Amazon aims to increase Prime subscriptions and strengthen its healthcare relationship with its customers. For some time, Amazon has been working to make inroads into the healthcare market, with mixed results.

In addition to One Medical, the company acquired prescription drug company PillPack in 2018 for around $750 million. In August 2022, Amazon discontinued its Amazon Care telehealth service as part of broader cost-cutting measures. The Haven, a joint venture aimed at disrupting healthcare, dissolved in 2021. Amazon has recently expanded its virtual health clinic service and operates an online pharmacy.