MinuteClinic looks to Buoy Health for referrals
Artificial intelligence will soon be sending real traffic to MinuteClinic locations. The clinic business of CVS Health is entering a partnership with health technology company Buoy Health to help direct patients using its AI health assessment platform to MinuteClinic locations if appropriate.
Patients will be able to access the service through Buoy Health’s website later this year. The site uses AI to help assess symptoms through an exchange meant to mimic a conversation with a doctor. Buoy’s AI analyze patient inputs in real time, evaluating them against proprietary and granular data to decide what questions to ask next. It then directs patients to the best next step — including whether a retail clinic might be the best place to receive that care.
“CVS Health is committed to helping people on their path to better care. We do so by providing high-quality health care services that are convenient, affordable and accessible for patients,” CVS Health executive vice president and chief medical officer Troyen Brennan said. “Entering into a relationship with a health-tech innovator like Buoy to connect their experience to our nationwide network of MinuteClinic providers gives us the opportunity to provide affordable care at times and locations that work best for the patients who utilize this innovative technology.”
The Buoy platform will be able to hold a place in line at a nearby MinuteClinic location, the company said.
“We started Buoy to stop the spiral that consumers currently face when they attempt to look up and analyze their symptoms online,” Buoy Health CEO Andrew Le said. “But when someone is sick, they need more than just an accurate assessment of what is wrong; they need tangible options for what to do next. By aligning with an industry leader like CVS Health, we will now not only have the ability through AI-powered triage to guide people to the right care, we will also be able to connect them with the care they need in the moment they need it the most.”
Patients will be able to access the service through Buoy Health’s website later this year. The site uses AI to help assess symptoms through an exchange meant to mimic a conversation with a doctor. Buoy’s AI analyze patient inputs in real time, evaluating them against proprietary and granular data to decide what questions to ask next. It then directs patients to the best next step — including whether a retail clinic might be the best place to receive that care.
“CVS Health is committed to helping people on their path to better care. We do so by providing high-quality health care services that are convenient, affordable and accessible for patients,” CVS Health executive vice president and chief medical officer Troyen Brennan said. “Entering into a relationship with a health-tech innovator like Buoy to connect their experience to our nationwide network of MinuteClinic providers gives us the opportunity to provide affordable care at times and locations that work best for the patients who utilize this innovative technology.”
The Buoy platform will be able to hold a place in line at a nearby MinuteClinic location, the company said.
“We started Buoy to stop the spiral that consumers currently face when they attempt to look up and analyze their symptoms online,” Buoy Health CEO Andrew Le said. “But when someone is sick, they need more than just an accurate assessment of what is wrong; they need tangible options for what to do next. By aligning with an industry leader like CVS Health, we will now not only have the ability through AI-powered triage to guide people to the right care, we will also be able to connect them with the care they need in the moment they need it the most.”