Amazon announced that it will be offering its Amazon Care Telemedicine program to employers in the US. It is the company’s first ever step into healthcare services in which this service is already active to the company’s employees based in Washington State.

Users get virtual consultations through the Amazon care app, from doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses who are available to provide service round the clock. In Seattle, it provides in-person services like pharmacy delivery and house call services from nurses who can take blood samples and similar services.

The tech giant made it clear that it intends to extend its service to interested employers in Washington who want to purchase the service for their employees.

According to Kristen Helton, Director, Amazon Care expressed that, “The availability of this service to other employers is a big step”.

The service sprouted 18 months prior for employees at Washington. Helton exclaimed that the service received positive remarks from its users and business customers are looking forward to purchasing the service for their own workers.

He went on to say that the offer is meant to be a complement or added benefit to an employer's current coverage.

When users log in to the Amazon Care app, they are asked a few questions that help triage the call and direct it to the appropriate nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician.

Although Amazon has introduced health-related campaigns such as Amazon Pharmacy and Amazon Halo, a wristband that tracks vital statistics, Helton said Amazon Care would be the company's first foray into delivering health-care services outside of its own employees.