Lotus Health AI Raises $35 Million in Funding as a Free AI Primary Care Physician

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Free AI Primary Care Physician Receives $35 Million Investment

  • Lotus Health AI secures $35 million in Series A funding from CRV and Kleiner Perkins
  • Provides 24/7 free primary care services in 50 languages, operating in all 50 US states
  • In an era where 230 million people ask ChatGPT health questions weekly, the AI healthcare market enters full-scale competition

What Happened?

Lotus Health AI received $35 million in a Series A round co-led by CRV and Kleiner Perkins.[TechCrunch] This startup utilizes large language models (LLMs) to provide 24/7 free primary care services in 50 languages.

Founder KJ Dhaliwal previously sold the South Asian dating app Dil Mil for $50 million in 2019.[Crunchbase] Inspired by his childhood experience of interpreting for his parents in medical settings, he launched Lotus Health AI in May 2024 with the goal of addressing inefficiencies in the US healthcare system.

Why is it Important?

Frankly, the size of this investment is notable. The average investment for AI healthcare startups is $34.4 million, and Lotus Health AI matched this level in its Series A.[Crunchbase]

Understanding the background helps. According to OpenAI, 230 million people ask ChatGPT health-related questions every week.[TechCrunch] This means people are already seeking health advice from AI. However, ChatGPT cannot provide medical treatment. Lotus Health AI is targeting this niche.

Personally, the \”free\” model is the most interesting. Considering how expensive healthcare is in the US, free primary care is a pretty disruptive value proposition. Of course, the revenue model is still unclear.

What Happens Next?

The AI healthcare market is expected to enter full-scale competition. OpenAI also entered this market last January with the launch of ChatGPT Health. It provides personalized health advice by integrating with Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and more.[OpenAI]

Regulatory risks remain. Even OpenAI states in its terms of service, \”Do not use for diagnostic or treatment purposes.\” Several lawsuits have already been filed due to damages caused by AI medical advice. It is necessary to observe how Lotus Health AI will manage these risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Lotus Health AI really free?

A: It is free for patients. However, the specific revenue model has not yet been disclosed. There are various possibilities, such as a B2B model targeting insurance companies or employers, or adding premium services. It seems they are aiming for economies of scale by providing services in all 50 states.

Q: What is the difference between it and a general AI chatbot?

A: Lotus Health AI is a medical service specialized in primary care. Unlike general chatbots, it holds medical service licenses in all 50 US states. The key difference is that it can perform actual medical treatment, not just provide health information.

Q: Does it support Korean?

A: It stated that it supports 50 languages, but the specific language list has not been disclosed. It is necessary to confirm whether Korean is supported. Currently, the service is only available in the US, and there are no plans for overseas expansion announced yet.

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