Amazon Clinic Offers Telehealth Services in All 50 States. Could It Save You Money?

Last November, Amazon introduced its new telehealth endeavor, Amazon Clinic. The service provides convenient, affordable telehealth solutions to users. Earlier this week, the online retailer announced that the service has since expanded and is now available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington D.C. More people can now seek virtual care for common health concerns. Could this telehealth service save you money on healthcare costs? It's possible.

Get virtual care for more than 30 everyday health needs

Customers can get virtual care for more than 30 common health concerns through Amazon Clinic -- including asthma, urinary tract infections, dandruff, migraines, emergency contraceptives, and seasonal allergies. Adults ages 18 to 64 who are located in the U.S. can use this service. Video-based visits are available nationwide, and message-based consultations are available in 34 states. Clinician support is available 24/7.

Here's how to use Amazon Clinic:

1. Visit clinic.amazon.com and choose a condition.
2. Choose whether you want message-based or video-based support (message-based visits aren't available in all areas).
3. Choose one of the available telehealth care providers.
4. Fill out the intake form to give more information about your health concerns.
5. A clinician will reach out to schedule a video call, or if you choose a message-based visit, they will message you after reviewing your responses.
6. Your clinician will provide a personalized treatment plan and, if necessary, will send a prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.
7. After you receive your treatment plan, you'll have 14 days to message your clinician with any follow-up questions at no additional cost.

Amazon Clinic doesn't take health insurance. Instead, prices are listed for each available online clinic, and customers can review costs and choose the one that meets their needs. As you might imagine, message-based visits are cheaper than video-based appointments.

Could you save money using Amazon Clinic?

It's no secret that healthcare in the United States is very costly. You're probably wondering if Amazon Clinic can help you keep more money in your checking account. Prices vary, so there is no set price for care. But many people will likely find this service affordable. Amazon notes that, on average, message-based consultations cost $35, and video-based visits cost $75.

While health insurance isn't accepted, customers can use their flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) dollars to cover the cost of their visit. All major debit cards and credit cards are also accepted for payment. If you need care quickly, or if you want to avoid paying a pricey co-pay to visit your primary care doctor in person, this could be an affordable, alternative solution to consider.

This could also be an excellent solution for those without health insurance. Some people rely on walk-in clinics and urgent care centers for their healthcare needs. These clinics often have long waits, and a visit can cost more than $100 without insurance. MedExpress notes on its website that while prices vary, self-pay patients can expect to pay anywhere from $149 to $249 for care.

For many people, Amazon Clinic could be a more affordable healthcare option. The added benefit of using a telehealth service is that you don't have to leave your house to get medical care. You may want to consider using a service like this to save money on healthcare costs. Knowing you can get necessary health care without ignoring your personal finance goals is helpful.