Hackensack Meridian collaborates with Amazon subsidiary

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Hackensack Meridian Health and One Medical – a subsidiary of Amazon – announced a new collaboration Nov. 14 aimed at expanding primary care options in the Garden State. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Based in San Francisco, One Medical is a national virtual and in-office primary care organization. In February, Amazon acquired the company for $3.9 billion from 1Life Healthcare Inc., according to an Associated Press report. 

The new deal with Hackensack Meridian “will provide more primary care providers in New Jersey and will ensure that residents and employers have seamless coordinated care through One Medical’s innovative care model and Hackensack Meridian Health’s integrated network of exceptional providers, hospitals and facilities,” the Edison-based network said. 

“We are deeply committed to expanding access to high-quality care and connecting patients with the specialty services they need and this exciting partnership with One Medical will help us advance our goals,” Hackensack Meridian CEO Robert Garrett said in a statement. “This innovative approach to health care continues our journey to create the health system for the future.” 

Consumer memberships are $199 per year. One Medical also works with U.S. employers who cover membership fees for their workforce. Amazon Prime members can add One Medical memberships for $9 per month (or $99 annually), and up to five additional family members for $6 per month (or $66 annually) each. 

On-demand virtual offerings are included in memberships, and most major insurance plans are accepted for appointments and lab services. 

In addition to offering telehealth services, One Medical and Hackensack Meridian plan to open multiple in-person offices over the next several years. While locations are still being determined, the first site is expected to open by the end of 2024, according to Hackensack Meridian. 

To date, more than 8,500 employers have participated in One Medical’s services throughout the U.S., according to Hackensack Meridian. 

One Medical CEO Trent Green added that, together with Hackensack Meridian, “we are committed to enhancing access to care and improving the health and wellbeing of New Jerseyans.”

The need for virtual care was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, when health care providers were forced to find innovative solutions – and quickly. Now, according to a recent health care technology panel assembled by NJBIZ, patients expect this convenience as part of their health plans.

“The demand is there. COVID sort of ignited it and the regulatory environment sort of caught up,” Kash Patel, Hackensack Meridian executive vice president, chief digital and information officer, said during the discussion. “But it’s absolutely here to stay.”