OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to US users, claims AI reasoning rivals clinicians

OpenAI has made ChatGPT Health available to all eligible users across the United States, launching a feature that lets people integrate their medical records and personal health data directly into the chatbot. During the rollout announcement, executives from the company articulated ambitious performance claims that have already drawn scrutiny.

The Bold Claims#

Vice president of health product Ashley Alexander stated that OpenAI's models "are now capable of reasoning at levels that are better than clinician level." When pressed for specifics, Karan Singhal, who leads OpenAI's health efforts, softened the rhetoric, saying he would "temper" such assertions while acknowledging that "individual studies have been pointing in that direction," citing research from Harvard and Stanford.

These claims arrive amid broader skepticism about AI in medical settings. A Florida pastor filed suit against OpenAI on Wednesday, alleging that ChatGPT supplied "extremely dangerous medical recommendations" that caused him to delay treatment for a pulmonary embolism.

What the Feature Does#

Users can now incorporate health-related questions into their regular ChatGPT conversations rather than accessing a separate dedicated tab. The system will request consent before drawing on personal health information to shape responses. OpenAI states that "all conversations are encrypted at rest and at transit," with additional encryption layers applied to connected health data.

The platform supports connections from major health providers and popular tracking apps including Apple Health, Weight Watchers, MyFitnessPal, and Function. Users retain full control to review, modify, or disconnect any health information they've linked.

Rollout Details#

The feature is built on OpenAI's newly launched GPT-5.6 Sol model, which the company describes as its strongest offering for healthcare contexts. The rollout spans all web and iOS platforms, covering free, Go, Plus, and Pro subscription tiers for users 18 and older.

OpenAI maintains that ChatGPT Health is designed to "support, not replace, professional care"—a crucial legal and ethical disclaimer as the company navigates the contentious terrain of AI-assisted medicine.