Amazon recently announced another venture — this time, into the healthcare space. Some people view this venture as doubters, some are fearful that they will be lost in a vast network of interconnectedness with no source of truth, and others realize “the real truth”.
This latest venture, Amazon Care, is based on providing care to Amazon employees, offering virtual and in-person care, telemedicine services, chat and remote video, as well as follow-up visits in person and prescription drug delivery.
What gives Amazon the potential to succeed?
Can Amazon succeed where doctors, pharmaceutical companies, CMS, reimbursement entities and others have created a “never-ending” saga often ending in a round-robin scenario for individuals. You know the one — I called my doctor, was told to call my insurance company, was told to call my care manager, was told you’re not covered, but my employer has coverage …..
While healthcare in the U.S. is not user-friendly, Amazon has “systems” — computing systems, cloud technology, analytic resources and structure in place and functioning, which is lacking or minimally functioning for the healthcare industry.
The impact of Amazon in healthcare is not as much “what they are doing” (as they can do pretty most everything they desire to do) but, that Amazon has “entered into” the sacred domain of healthcare. While we grapple with provider vs payer, EMR siloes, and the never-ending input of government Updates and Changes and Payments and Audits etc., advanced companies with thought leaders, innovators and thousands of employees that need healthcare — have taken the lead.
Why Amazon will be successful …
The mammoths … AMZN, APPL, GOOG … do not need a Medicare / Medicaid / Blues / KP / etc. – they do not need the “rules and regs of the government”. They are not in that ballgame. They have the data, the “system”, the brains, the cooperative parties, the governance to do – the Job.
With online data platforms, an e-commerce site, virtual personal assistants, an extensive supply chain, 80 million satisfied Prime members and a food market, Amazon already has the network. They are not looking for another entity to give approval, with delayed payment and possible recoupment of payment.
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