Costco is now offering members online health checks for as low as $29.
The retailer is offering the new service in partnership with Sesame, a direct-to-consumer healthcare marketplace that connects medical providers across the country with consumers.
Sesame, in a release, said Costco members starting Monday can book health care visits directly through their memberships in all 50 states.
The New York-based company says its platform does not accept health insurance because it primarily caters to uninsured Americans and those with high-deductible plans willing to pay. money for their health care. It says its model helps keep the prices of services low for its users.
Services listed on Costco Pharmacy’s homepage, include virtual primary care visits for $29, health checkups (a standard lab panel and a virtual follow-up consultation with a provider) for just $72 and online mental health visit for $79.
“Quality, great value, and low prices are what the Costco brand is known for,” David Goldhill, co-founder and CEO of Sesame, said in a statement. “When it comes to health care, Sesame also provides high quality and great value – and a low price that Costco Members will appreciate when it comes to their own care.”
Costco is one of many retailers that provides health care directly to customers as the need for immediate access to care outside of a traditional hospital setting is growing.
Amazon, in August, announced that its virtual clinic is now available nationwide. Amazon Clinic launched in November offering 24/7 access to third-party health-care providers directly on Amazon’s website and mobile app.
Amazon customers, through the clinic, can access telehealth treatment for many common conditions, such as pink eye, urinary tract infections and hair loss, the retailer said.
Other retailers, including CVS to Walgreens to Walmart, are taking similar steps.
