After launching its first primary care clinic as part of a pilot with Crossover Health in June, Amazon.com, Inc. has now opened four more clinics for employees in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Amazon announced its collaboration with primary care startup Crossover Health in July. Together, the organizations plan to open 20 primary care clinics, dubbed neighborhood health centers, for Amazon’s warehouse employees near its fulfillment centers and operations facilities. The first clinic opened in Las Colinas, Texas. The four new Texas-based locations launched this month are in Fort Worth, Grapevine, Garland and Duncanville, Crossover Health CEO Dr. Scott Shreeve, said in an email.
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Amazon’s steady entry into healthcare began in earnest nearly three years ago. In early 2018, the retail giant announced it was teaming up with Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan to create a healthcare venture, which was eventually named Haven. Its initial focus was on technology solutions to provide U.S. employees and their families with “simplified, high-quality and transparent healthcare at a reasonable cost,” a statement said. Though its achievements since are unclear.
Other major healthcare moves by Amazon include starting a telehealth service for employees and, most recently, launching its highly anticipated pharmacy business.
The neighborhood health centers are operated by Crossover Health, a national medical group working with self-insured employers. The group provides an array of primary and preventive care services, including vaccinations, physical therapy and mental health services. It includes 1,000 employees, of which over 400 are part of its medical staff in its onsite and virtual clinics. About 40 medical staff members are providing care for Amazon employees specifically, Shreeve said.
Since the first primary care clinic for Amazon employees was opened at the end of June, more than 2,200 employees have signed up, of which approximately 800 have received care, he added.
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“The new health centers build on Amazon’s long-standing commitment to offer employees comprehensive and industry-leading benefits, specifically addressing the need for primary care that is so critical for overall health and well-being,” he said. “And with capabilities to provide comprehensive primary care and other key services both in-person through convenient physical health centers and online, access is greatly increased.”
Next, Amazon plans to open three centers in the Phoenix region, followed by centers in the Louisville, Kentucky, Detroit and San Bernardino, California, regions in 2021, Shreeve said.
Amazon’s moves are in line with other retailers growing their primary care footprint, including Walmart, which recently partnered with Oak Street Health to open three primary care centers for Medicare patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. But there is a difference — while Walmart’s clinics are open to the general public, Amazon’s are not.
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