UnitedHealthcare has launched Avery, a generative AI companion that helps members navigate healthcare services.
Six things to know:
1. The AI assistant is designed to understand members’ benefits and help them better understand coverage details and care options before scheduling an appointment, according to a March 26 news release. Avery can call network primary care providers to schedule appointments on a member’s behalf.
2. Avery can help members with questions and issues related to appointment scheduling; cost estimates and plan balances; rewards opportunities and wellness programs; ID cards and over-the-counter benefits; provider search; claim approval status; and explanations of benefits.
3. Avery will automatically transfer members to a live advocate when a call is needed or requested, according to the release. Avery provides a full synopsis to the advocate, so members do not need to repeat themselves or re-upload documents.
4. The tool is currently available to about 6.5 million members with UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored health plans and 160,000 Medicare Advantage members. UnitedHealthcare expects Avery to be available to a total of 20.5 million commercial, Medicare and Medicaid members by the end of 2026.
5. “People want healthcare to be easier to use and tailored to their personal needs,” Dan Kueter, CEO for UnitedHealthcare’s commercial business, said in the release. “Avery is one way we are responding to consumer demand for a more coordinated and simpler experience and enabling our members to focus on what matters most: getting and staying well.”
6. Avery is one of more than 1,000 tools across UnitedHealth Group, according to the release. The company plans to invest more than $1.6 billion in AI in 2026.
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