Lots of things are going up in price these days, but not this. Amazon acquired One Medical in Feb. 2023 and has since introduced a reduced subscription rate for Prime members. We’ve said a lot about Amazon health clinics, but the most exciting development is the fact that they’ve reduced the annual cost of a One Medical membership by about 50% — from $199/year to $99/year.
You can choose between paying an annual rate or a monthly rate. If you’re not feeling the $99 fee upfront, you can opt to pay $9 a month for access to personalized primary care services, on-site labs, and virtual care.
But if you have no idea what Amazon One Medical is or if it’s even worth it, I got you. I did some serious research on the program, including the benefits and whether or not it’s actually a good deal. Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon One Medical.
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What services does Amazon One Medical offer?
One Medical is one of the largest independent primary healthcare groups in the U.S., offering a range of primary care and preventative health services. Just like you pay an annual fee to get unlimited 2-day shipping and other perks with Amazon Prime, members of One Medical pay a subscription for ongoing access to a range of medical services.
Here’s what you get when you sign up for the $99/year membership price:
You can connect with One Medical’s primary care services through their app, which lets you access virtual care services like 24/7 video chats and messaging.
With One Medical, you can get in-office or remote visits as soon as the same or the next day, and they even have walk-in availability for lab services.
One Medical providers can help with both your physical and mental health needs, and they can coordinate with other hospitals for more comprehensive care.
You can easily access all your medical info in One Medical’s app, from prescription refills to lab results to specialty referrals.
One Medical has specialized senior care available in more locations, with teams trained to help people on Medicare.
Does Amazon One Medical replace insurance?
No. Amazon One Medical shouldn’t be thought of as an insurance replacement. It’s a primary care provider with its own team of doctors. So you can think of it as an elevated visit to a doctor that takes insurance.
Amazon One Medical promises little to no wait time for doctor visits and easy email communication with your doctor between visits. The portal they provide lets you view your records and schedule same or next-day appointments.
So at the end of the day, you could think of Amazon One Medical as a provider and a subscription that makes doctor visits fast, easier, and more reliable. It’s perfect for those who don’t currently have a provider or are looking to switch providers.
How do I get the best deal on an Amazon One Medical subscription?
When it comes to cost, there are a few different pricing models. Some are more expensive than others, so I’m going to break down the math for you and tell you how to get the best deal.
As I mentioned earlier, there are discounted rates for Prime members. Just like with your Prime membership, you can pay either monthly or annually. The best deal for Prime members is to pay the annual rate. If you can swing a $99 fee upfront, that actually maths out to $8.25/month. The monthly rate is $9, which equals out to $108 annually.
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Do you need insurance to get this price?
You don’t need insurance to access Amazon One Medical. Given that the average cost for an uninsured patient to see a doctor is between $150 – $450 per visit, Amazon One Medical is a game-changer for uninsured individuals. It doesn’t matter if you have insurance or not. This service offers an “unlimited” price of $9/month or $99/year for all Prime members.
This plan is definitely one of the cheapest ways to get your annual checkup or some antibiotics for when you’re under the weather. If you’re a generally healthy adult and just need the basics, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
Is the subscription worth it if you have insurance?
Even with insurance, traditional healthcare can be expensive, with co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs. One of the benefits of One Medical’s membership model is that it can help patients avoid some of these costs. By paying an annual fee, patients can access a range of services without having to worry about co-pays or deductibles.
That said, if you have insurance, you could probably attain more comprehensive healthcare elsewhere. And if you’re already paying monthly for your insurance and are happy with your regular doctor, this would feel redundant. Since One Medical has some limited services, definitely talk to your current provider if you’re considering switching over to One Medical. They’ll be able to advise you better about what you need on an individual basis.
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Check out Amazon Pharmacy’s RxPass for even more savings.
When you need a prescription, Amazon One Medical patients can get it delivered to their door through Amazon Pharmacy or pick it up at their most convenient location.
Amazon Prime members can now enroll in Amazon RxPass for $5 per month which provides unlimited delivery of generic prescriptions to their doorstep. You don’t even need insurance to snag this price.
Are there any downsides?
Locations
There are limited brick-and-mortar clinic locations. Currently, there are clinics in 21 cities across the U.S. There aren’t any locations in rural areas or less populous cities. If you’re mainly looking to utilize telehealth services, this isn’t a big deal. But if you need to go in for any reason, it might not be a good fit. Be sure to check out the full list of One Medical locations before signing up.
Limited services
If you have a pre-existing condition that requires a lot of testing and monitoring, One Medical might not have the services or resources to provide the best care. Definitely consult with your current doctor before making the switch.
Requires some tech knowledge
One Medical offers predominantly telehealth services. While using an app and other online services can be really convenient, it has its downsides. If you’re not the most tech-savvy, don’t have reliable Internet or computer/phone access, or if you prefer in-person appointments, this program might not be the best fit.
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