AI-Controlled Virtual Assistant Announced for Digital Health Network for Self-Funded Healthcare Plans

Credit: Empara

Navigating healthcare benefits can be difficult for many people. One company is hoping that AI can make this process easier.

Empara, a healthcare technology company, announced that it has launched an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to make it easier for users of Empara’s digital health platform to navigate their benefits.¹ The company also says the virtual assistant can be used by service providers and HR teams to increase efficiency on their end.

According to Empara, the assistant can be trained on specific company handbooks and specific documentation.

In a press release, Empara’s president Markus Waite said, “When it comes to the complexity of health benefits, there are many questions that arise. Em knows the answers and provides instant responses to help members find the information they need quickly. It integrates seamlessly with a group's existing benefits and handles the routine inquiries, freeing up administrators to focus on other strategic initiatives."

Waite continued, “With turnkey efficiency, we enable our customers to deploy their own customized AI assistants—putting them at the forefront of the AI revolution—all backed by the power of the Empara Health Engagement platform.”

Empara’s chief experience officer Ben Callaghan also said, “How much time are your member service or HR teams spending answering questions like, 'Is this covered?' or, 'I need shoulder surgery and I don't understand what I will have to pay.'Our clients experience a dramatic reduction in call and email volume because members can message Em and get instant, well-defined responses about their specific plan and usage."

Mike Nigels, chief technology officer, said, “AI is fundamentally changing how software is developed and how people interact with their apps and devices. It's an especially powerful tool in the healthcare and benefits space because of its ability to interpret, analyze and summarize complex concepts. We've harnessed that power to serve up personalized and powerful insights that can provide members with significant savings on the cost of their healthcare while simplifying access to their benefits."

Empara first announced its digital platform in October of 2023.² At the time, the platform was described as being designed to improve the self-funded healthcare plan marketplace and make it easier to navigate.

In a press release issued at the time, Waite said, “Empara's Health Engagement Platform will power the next generation of self-funded health plans and the partners that serve them, such as TPAs and benefit brokers. TPAs and benefit consultants create many innovative programs for their employer groups, but the maze of point solutions and multiple apps and portals makes member engagement a challenge."

Waite continued, “The feature that is becoming the most critical is our message center, which allows members to engage with the different care organizations that service their health plan such as their TPA, benefit navigator, virtual MD or clinical pharmacy team. Our goal is to simplify a member's benefits in one place, driving utilization and engagement in their health benefits that will lead to better outcomes and lower costs for the group and their members."

Sources

1. Empara Launches Em, an AI Virtual Assistant for Navigating Benefits. Empara. July 9, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/empara-launches-em-an-ai-virtual-assistant-for-navigating-benefits-302192080.html
2. Empara Releases Health Engagement Platform for Self-Funded Health Plans. Empara. October 3, 2023. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/empara-releases-health-engagement-platform-for-self-funded-health-plans-301945178.html