Teladoc, Amazon Partner to Enhance Direct-to-Consumer Telehealth

Teladoc Health has partnered with Amazon to launch voice-activated access to virtual care using Alexa-supported devices.

Through Amazon Alexa, which can be accessed via Echo devices like Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show, healthcare consumers can now connect with a Teladoc Health care provider for general medical needs at any time.

Here's how it works. A consumer who wants to connect with a Teladoc provider can start by saying, "Alexa, I want to talk to a doctor," to their Echo device, explained Donna Boyer, chief product officer at Teladoc Health, in an email.

"Customers will need to create an Alexa voice ID and grant skill permission before connecting with the Teladoc call center," she said.

Teladoc call center representatives will ask questions to help consumers set up a Teladoc account. This will include verifying recent medical history and insurance information, Boyer said. Once the call has been completed, a Teladoc physician will call the consumer back for the visit.

"This is a hands-free experience — you can get started each time by simply telling Alexa you want to talk to a doctor — no need to download an app or type in information," Boyer said.

Consumers can request visits related to various care needs, including symptoms of a cold, flu, allergies, COVID-19, and other non-emergency conditions. The cost per visit will range from $0 with insurance or $75 without insurance.

Currently, only audio visits are available to consumers. The companies plan to launch video visits through Alexa in the future.

"Audio visits are by far the most popular and accessible way Teladoc customers do virtual visits today," Boyer said. "We wanted to bring this experience to all Alexa customers in the U.S. as quickly as possible."

The partnership's goal is to expand access to healthcare and make it more convenient for consumers.

"We're excited to work with Teladoc Health to offer our customers an easy, hands-free way to connect with a doctor," said Debra Chrapaty, vice president and chief operating officer at Amazon Alexa, in the news release. "Whether they're taking care of their sick child in the middle of the night or wanting to ask a doctor about allergy symptoms in between meetings during the day, we hope this experience will help customers find the convenient help they want from the comfort of their own home."

The partnership marks another step in Amazon's growing healthcare footprint.

Earlier this month, the technology giant announced deals with Silicon Labs, TrueBlue, and Whole Foods Market to offer Amazon Care to their employees. In addition, Amazon plans to expand its in-person care services to 20 new cities this year.

Despite data showing a patient preference for accessing telehealth through physicians or health plans over direct-to-consumer platforms, Teladoc Health saw massive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also has ambitious plans for 2022.

The company's 2021 revenue rose a whopping 86 percent to $2.03 billion, from $1.09 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020. This year, the company expects revenue between $2.55 billion and $2.65 billion.

It remains to be seen how this new partnership with Amazon will impact earnings expectations for the telehealth provider.