Amazon is widening access to its artificial intelligence healthcare assistant by bringing it to its main website and mobile app. Announced on Tuesday, the AI tool called Health AI was previously available only within the app of One Medical, the healthcare company Amazon acquired for $3.9 billion in 2023. With the new rollout, more users will be able to access the assistant directly through Amazon’s digital platforms.
Health AI is designed to help users with a variety of health-related tasks. The assistant can answer general health questions, explain medical records, manage prescription renewals, schedule appointments and provide guidance based on available information. Amazon says users do not need to be Prime subscribers or One Medical members to use the AI assistant. While it can respond to general questions without personal medical data, the system is built to function as a personalized health assistant that can provide tailored recommendations and connect users with healthcare professionals when needed.
Amazon also addressed privacy concerns related to sharing health information with AI systems. The company stated that it trains “Health AI models on abstracted patterns without directly identifying information.” For example, if multiple users ask about medication interactions, the AI may learn from those patterns while keeping personal identities private. Amazon added that conversations with Health AI take place in a HIPAA-compliant environment and are protected through “encryption and strict access controls.” However, the company has not yet provided detailed information about the exact encryption methods or who can access the data.
With user permission, Health AI can access medical information through the Health Information Exchange, a secure nationwide system for sharing patient data. This allows the assistant to interpret lab results, diagnoses and medical records to offer personalized insights about symptoms or medications. If professional care is needed, the AI can connect users with a One Medical provider. Prime members in the U.S. using Health AI can receive up to 5 free direct-message consultations for over 30 common conditions, including cold and flu, allergies, acid reflux, pink eye, UTIs, erectile dysfunction, anti-aging skin care and hair loss. Non-Prime users can access care through a pay-per-visit option. Users can sign up through the Amazon Health page and will receive an email once access becomes available. After creating or signing in to their Amazon Health profile, users can start asking questions such as “Can you explain my recent cholesterol results and what they mean for me?” or “I’m feeling congested and have a sore throat. What should I do?” The expansion comes as AI services continue entering the healthcare sector, including new health-focused chatbot tools introduced earlier this year.
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