August AI Launches U.S. Telehealth Services With $39 Monthly Membership

The company’s AI health chatbot, which remains free globally, is available in more than 30 languages and is used by more than 9 million people across 160 countries.

August AI, an artificial intelligence-enabled telehealth company, has launched its direct-to-consumer August Care service in the U.S., offering clinical consultations, discounted laboratory services, prescription support and AI-powered health navigation for a $39 monthly membership.

The company’s AI health chatbot, which remains free globally, is available in more than 30 languages and is used by more than 9 million people across 160 countries. August said the chatbot provides health information based on its knowledge base and clinical guidelines, rather than medical advice.

Under August Care, members receive unlimited AI health chats, one telehealth visit per month, next-day access to laboratory services and prescriptions sent to pharmacies within 10 minutes of physician approval. Additional telehealth consultations cost $19. Members also receive unlimited follow-up messaging for one year after a consultation.

August is also piloting overnight medication delivery and can ingest prescriptions and laboratory reports to explain medical information in plain language. The platform can retain patient conditions and medical history over time, integrate with external electronic health records (EHRs), and assist with benefits navigation.

The company claims the subscription model can save members up to $3,000 annually, or up to $3,500 for people with chronic conditions, through lower consultation and laboratory costs and medication coupon support.

August AI was founded in 2022 by CEO Anuruddh Mishra following his experience with a rheumatoid arthritis misdiagnosis. The company said it has since treated 100,000 patients in the U.S.

The company said its AI system was developed with clinicians and includes safeguards for identifying risks and escalating cases to appropriate care settings. Licensed physicians remain responsible for prescriptions, clinical notes and clinical decisions, while AI supports patients between consultations.

August said its models are trained on 300 million real patient interactions. The company claims its underlying models score 100% on the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), compared with 95% two years ago.

August AI has raised $3 million to date, with Accel among its backers. The company plans to explore reimbursement options for August Care, initially focusing on underinsured and uninsured populations.

August plans to retain its AI chatbot as a free service while expanding its role in healthcare navigation, including potential tools for prior authorization and follow-up reminders.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News