Amazon launches its healthcare AI assistant on its website and app

Source: TechCrunch

Amazon announced on Tuesday that it’s expanding access to its healthcare AI assistant, Health AI, to its website and app. The assistant was previously only available on the One Medical app, the healthcare company Amazon acquired for $3.9 billion in 2023.

What Health AI Can Do

• Answer health‑related questions
• Explain health records and lab results
• Manage prescription renewals
• Book appointments and connect users with One Medical providers
• Provide personalized guidance when given access to a user’s health information

Users do not need to be Prime subscribers or One Medical members to use the assistant.

Privacy, Security, and Data Use

• Amazon states that Health AI can answer general health questions without accessing an individual’s medical information.
• When users grant access to their health data, the information is shared through the Health Information Exchange, a nationwide secure system for patient data.
• Amazon claims the models are trained on “abstracted patterns without directly identifying information.” For example, aggregated medication‑interaction queries may be used to improve responses while keeping patient names private.
• All interactions occur within a HIPAA‑compliant environment and are protected by encryption and strict access controls, though Amazon has not disclosed the exact encryption methods or who can access the data.
• Researchers warn about the risks of sharing health information with AI, noting that companies may pull user conversations for training purposes. (See Stanford HAI warning and Duke article on hidden risks.)

How to Access Health AI

1. Sign up on the Amazon Health page.
2. Once approved, create or sign in to a personal Amazon Health profile.
3. Start a conversation by typing a health question on Amazon.com or in the Amazon app.

Example queries:

• “Can you explain my recent cholesterol results and what they mean for me?”
• “I’m feeling congested and have a sore throat. What should I do?”

Benefits for Prime and Non‑Prime Users

• Prime members (U.S.) receive up to five free direct‑message consultations with a One Medical provider for over 30 common conditions (e.g., cold, flu, allergies, UTIs, etc.).
• Non‑Prime members can access One Medical providers through Amazon’s pay‑per‑visit option.

Industry Context

Health AI’s expansion follows a wave of AI‑driven health services:

• ChatGPT Health – OpenAI’s health‑focused version of ChatGPT, launched in January 2026.
• Claude for Healthcare – Anthropic’s healthcare product announced shortly after OpenAI’s release.

Visual

Image credit: Amazon