What's Happening?
Included Health, a virtual care and health navigation company, has introduced a new AI assistant named Dot. This development aims to provide members with a personalized healthcare experience by integrating
AI with human clinical support. Dot is designed to answer questions about health benefits, coverage, and assist in finding in-network providers. It operates alongside Included Health's clinicians and care advocates, ensuring a seamless transition from AI to human support when necessary. The company, formed from the merger of Grand Rounds Health and Doctor on Demand, leverages its extensive data and clinical expertise to offer tailored health guidance. Dot has been refined over the past year and is currently utilized by approximately 300 employers and health plans, processing over ten billion AI tokens.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of Dot represents a significant advancement in the integration of AI within the healthcare sector. By providing personalized health guidance and facilitating access to healthcare services, Dot has the potential to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery. This innovation aligns with the growing demand for personalized healthcare solutions and could lead to cost savings for employers and health plans by promoting preventive care and better benefits utilization. Additionally, Dot's ability to escalate complex issues to human clinicians ensures that patient safety and care quality are maintained, addressing a common limitation of general-purpose chatbots.
What's Next?
Included Health plans to expand Dot's capabilities beyond answering coverage questions. Future developments include using the AI assistant to encourage preventive screenings, engage at-risk individuals, and support adherence to care plans. Dot will also be part of the Healthy Days program, checking in on members' mental and physical health. The company is exploring the potential for Dot to enhance population health efforts by generating insights and triggering health-related actions. As AI continues to evolve, Included Health aims to differentiate itself in the market by leveraging AI to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs.
