Amazon to open care clinics for employees in Seattle
In another sign that Amazon is ramping up its entry into healthcare, the e-commerce giant is dipping its toes into primary care with a new offering for its Seattle-based employees.
Amazon is in internal discussions to open primary care clinics at its main officer, CNBC reported. The company plans to hire a small number of doctors for a pilot clinic later this year for a select group of employees. The pilot will expand in early 2019.
The move is another example of how large companies are working to lower healthcare costs for employees by incentivizing lower-cost and preventive care settings. Apple, based in California, also has plans to open a wellness clinic, AC Wellness, for its Bay Area employees in 2019.
Earlier this year, Amazon announced a joint venture with JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway to create a new, independent business that would aim to provide better healthcare options for employees of all three companies.
Amazon reportedly has been hiring primary care experts since last year, including Christine Henningsgaard, who was previously vice president of operations at One Medical, a concierge medical practice. Martin Levine from Iora Health, a primary care group, has also been tapped, CNBC reported.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."