What One Medical is and who runs it

One Medical is a membership-based primary care service owned by Amazon since 2023. You pay an annual membership fee (currently $199 per year, though this varies by location and employer) to access same-day or next-day appointments, longer visit times, and digital communication with your doctor between visits. It is not insurance — it works alongside your existing health plan.

One Medical operates physical clinics in major U.S. cities and also offers virtual visits. The company employs its own doctors and nurse practitioners rather than contracting with independent physicians. When you join, you are assigned a primary care provider at your local clinic, though you can request a different one.

One Medical is part of Amazon's healthcare division. The membership model means the company makes money from your annual fee, not from billing your insurance for each visit. This structure is meant to reduce the incentive to order unnecessary tests or procedures, since One Medical's revenue does not depend on visit volume or test volume the way traditional practices do.

Key Takeaways

  • One Medical charges an annual membership fee (typically $199) on top of your regular health insurance, and you use both together at appointments.
  • The service promises same-day or next-day appointments and longer visit times than traditional primary care, with digital access to your doctor between visits.
  • One Medical clinics exist only in certain cities; if you move or travel frequently, you may not have a local clinic to visit.
  • Your employer may cover part or all of the membership fee if One Medical is offered as a workplace benefit, which is worth checking before paying out of pocket.
  • One Medical still bills your insurance for lab work, imaging, and specialist referrals, so your deductible and copays explore to those services.

How the membership fee and insurance work together

The $199 annual membership is separate from your health insurance premium. You pay One Medical directly for the membership, and you continue to pay your regular insurance (through your employer, the marketplace, or Medicare). At your One Medical appointment, you present your insurance card just as you would at any other doctor's office.

One Medical bills your insurance for the visit itself, and your copay (if you have one) applies. If you have not met your deductible, you may owe the full cost of the visit until you do. The membership fee does not reduce your deductible or change how your insurance works — it straightforward gives you faster access to a primary care doctor and more time during the visit.

If your employer offers One Medical as a workplace benefit, they may pay the full membership fee, part of it, or offer it at a discounted rate. Check with your HR or benefits department before signing up on your own, because you may not need to pay anything out of pocket.

Where One Medical clinics are located

One Medical operates clinics in a limited number of U.S. cities and regions. As of 2024, these include major metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C., but the list is not nationwide. The company also offers virtual visits to members outside clinic areas, though the in-person experience is part of the membership value proposition.

Before signing up, check the One Medical website to see whether a clinic exists in your city or near your workplace. If you live in a rural area or a smaller city, One Medical may not be available to you, or you may be limited to virtual visits only. If you travel frequently or plan to move, consider whether you will have access to a clinic in your new location.

What One Medical appointments include

One Medical visits are typically longer than appointments at traditional primary care practices — usually 30 to 45 minutes instead of the 15 to 20 minutes common elsewhere. The extra time is meant to allow your doctor to discuss your health in more depth and address multiple concerns in one visit rather than rushing through a checklist.

Between visits, you can message your doctor through the One Medical app to ask questions, request prescription refills, or report new symptoms. The company promises a response within 24 hours on business days. This digital access is one of the main differences from traditional primary care, where contacting your doctor often means calling the office and waiting for a callback.

One Medical also handles preventive care visits (annual physicals, screenings, and vaccinations) as part of the membership. Lab work and imaging are still billed to your insurance separately, and specialist referrals work the same way they do with any other primary care doctor — your insurance determines whether a referral is required and what your out-of-pocket cost will be.

Common reasons people choose One Medical

The main draw is appointment speed. If you have struggled to get a same-day appointment with a traditional primary care doctor, or if you have spent weeks waiting for an opening, One Medical's promise of same-day or next-day availability appeals to many people. This is especially valuable if you have a chronic condition that requires frequent check-ins or if you get sick often.

The longer appointment time also matters to people who feel rushed at their current doctor's office or who have multiple health concerns they want to discuss thoroughly. One Medical's model is designed to reduce that feeling of being hurried through a visit.

For people whose employers offer One Medical as a benefit, the cost is often low or zero, making it an straightforward addition to their existing insurance. For those paying out of pocket, the $199 annual fee is a trade-off — it is not expensive compared to some concierge practices, but it is an extra cost on top of insurance premiums.

What One Medical does not cover

One Medical is primary care only. It does not include specialist visits, emergency room care, hospital stays, or urgent care. If you need to see a cardiologist, dermatologist, or any other specialist, your One Medical doctor can refer you, but you will work with your insurance to find a specialist and pay your regular copay or coinsurance.

One Medical also does not replace health insurance. If you have a serious illness or injury that requires hospitalization, your health insurance is what covers the bulk of the cost. The One Medical membership only covers primary care visits and the digital communication between visits.

Prescription medications are not included in the membership either. Your doctor can prescribe them, but you pay for them through your pharmacy benefit, which is part of your health insurance plan.

How One Medical compares to traditional primary care

The main differences are speed, appointment length, and digital access. A traditional primary care doctor's office typically has longer wait times for appointments, shorter visits, and limited digital communication. One Medical prioritizes all three of these areas, but charges a membership fee to do so.

One Medical also tends to have more modern technology — the app, the messaging system, and the online scheduling are all designed to be user-friendly. Traditional practices vary widely in how modern their systems are; some still use paper charts and phone-based scheduling.

The trade-off is that One Medical is not available everywhere, and you are limited to their network of doctors. With traditional primary care, you can usually find a doctor in any city or town. If you move frequently or live outside a One Medical service area, traditional primary care may be more practical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need One Medical if I already have good health insurance?

One Medical is not insurance — it is a membership for faster access to primary care. If you are satisfied with your current doctor and can get appointments when you need them, One Medical may not be necessary. But if you struggle to get same-day appointments or feel rushed during visits, the membership may be worth the cost. If your employer covers it, there is no reason not to join.

What happens to my One Medical membership if I change jobs?

If your new employer also offers One Medical, you can transfer your membership. If they do not, you can keep your membership by paying the annual fee yourself, or you can cancel it. Check with your new employer's benefits team to see what they offer before making a decision.

Can I use One Medical if I have Medicare?

One Medical accepts Medicare, but the membership fee still applies. Your Medicare coverage works the same way it does with any other doctor — One Medical bills Medicare for the visit, and you pay any copay or coinsurance your plan requires. The membership fee is separate and is your responsibility.

What if I need a specialist or emergency care?

One Medical handles referrals to specialists, but the specialist visit is not part of your membership. Your insurance determines whether you need a referral, which specialists are in-network, and what you pay. Emergency care is handled by emergency rooms and urgent care centers, not by One Medical.

Is One Medical worth the $199 annual fee?

That depends on how much you value faster appointments and longer visit times. If you see your primary care doctor several times a year and value digital access between visits, the fee may be worth it. If you rarely see a doctor or are satisfied with your current practice, it probably is not. If your employer covers the fee, it is generally worth joining.