Amazon announced the expansion of its Health AI assistant to its website and app. The tool was previously limited to the app for One Medical, which Amazon acquired for $3.9 billion in 2023.
The expansion significantly broadens access to the tool, making it available to all users rather than just Prime subscribers or One Medical members. This move places Amazon in direct competition with other major AI providers entering the healthcare sector.
Health AI can answer health questions, explain medical records, manage prescription renewals, and book appointments. The assistant connects users to One Medical providers for professional care. U.S. Prime members receive up to five free direct-message consultations for over 30 common conditions. Non-Prime members can access providers through a pay-per-visit option.
Amazon trains Health AI on abstracted patterns without using directly identifying information. All interactions occur within a HIPAA-compliant environment protected by encryption and strict access controls. With user permission, the assistant accesses health information via the Health Information Exchange to interpret lab results and medical records.
“TechCrunch has reached out for specifics” regarding how conversations are encrypted and who has access to them.
This expansion follows the release of healthcare-focused AI products from OpenAI and Anthropic in January. OpenAI released ChatGPT Health, and Anthropic announced Claude for Healthcare. One Medical is a primary care organization Amazon acquired in 2023.
