The acquisition signals Amazon’s continued foray into the healthcare market having bought PillPack in 2018 for $750 million, using the acquisition to launch its own online pharmacy years later. Amazon has also ramped up effort in its telehealth service Amazon Care, along with plans to develop at-home medical diagnostics.
The deal — one of its largest acquisitions ever — will give Amazon a physical network of health-care offices and providers, as well as access to technology the start-up has built to enable virtual doctor visits. It adds to the company’s existing health-care portfolio, which includes an online pharmacy and Amazon Care, a virtual and in-home urgent care service.
“There is an immense opportunity to make the health care experience more accessible, affordable and even enjoyable for patients, providers, and payers,” One Medical CEO Amir Dan Rubin said in a statement.
The deal is a sign of Amazon’s long-simmering health care ambitions. As the company has marched from one retail business to another — including books, CDs, electronics, dog food, diapers and clothes — it has had to look in less obvious spots to find opportunities that can provide meaningful expansion.
