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OpenEvidence, CHAI, and the Fall of PCP Visits
March 3, 2025
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Together with
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OpenEvidence might be the new kid on the medical chatbot block, but it’s already “the fastest-growing platform for doctors in history,” and $75M of Series A funding just made it the youngest unicorn in healthcare.
Founder Daniel Nadler describes OpenEvidence as an AI copilot, with an experience that feels similar to ChatGPT yet is actually a “very different organism” due to the data it was trained on.
OpenEvidence functions as a specialized medical search engine that helps clinicians make decisions at the point of care, turning natural language queries into structured answers with detailed citations.
- The model was purpose-built for healthcare by exclusively using training data from strategic partners like the New England Journal of Medicine – no internet forums or Reddit threads in sight.
- The kicker? It’s available at no cost to verified physicians and generates its revenue through advertising.
Happy users are their own growth strategy, and OpenEvidence claims that 25% of doctors in the U.S. have already used the product since its launch in 2023. It’s also adding 40k new doctors each month through word-of-mouth referrals and glowing reviews of its ability to:
- Handle complex case-based prompts
- Address clinical cases holistically
- Provide really good references
The 1,000 pound gorilla in this space is Wolters Kluwer and its UpToDate clinical evidence engine.
- Although Wolters Kluwer has been inking partnerships with companies like Corti and Abridge to bring new AI capabilities to UpToDate, OpenEvidence is built from the ground up as an AI-first solution.
- If WoltersKluwer is an encyclopedia, OpenEvidence is ChatGPT, and it’ll be interesting to watch the plays that both sides make as they battle for market share.
The Takeaway
OpenEvidence isn’t a solution in search of a problem, it’s a sleek new tool addressing an immediate need for plenty of providers. It’s rare to see the type of viral adoption that OpenEvidence managed to generate, which is a good reminder that many areas of healthcare change slowly… then all at once.
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The First 30 Days: What to Expect With AI
Implementing AI documentation tools promises significant benefits, but how do you ensure a smooth transition? Playback Health has you covered with this comprehensive 30-day roadmap outlining what to expect, industry best practices, and its own proven implementation approach.
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HIMSS CMIO Roundtable – Ambient AI
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- Are PCP Visits Declining? New research in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health showed that the number of annual primary care visits in the U.S. has increased since 2010, yet the proportion of these visits led by PCPs declined 43%. As you might expect, part of that is due to the share of primary care visits led by NPs/PAs/RNs spiking 98% from 2010 to 2021. Another contributing factor is that the proportion of preventative care visits led by PCPs actually increased by 25%, however PCPs provided fewer acute and chronic care visits in 2021 than in 2010.
- Updates From Color Health and Open AI: Color Health published details from its partnership with OpenAI and UCSF to test a “Large Language Expert” for cancer care. The paper dives into how Color combined OpenAI’s GPT-4o & o1 reasoning LLMs with clinical criteria decision logic to develop an LLE that can build comprehensive care plans for clinicians-in-the-loop to review. It also includes positive results from the LLE’s initial pilot at UCSF that kicked off in June.
- Google’s Loss of Pulse Clearance: Google received FDA 510(k) clearance for a new loss of pulse detection feature for its Pixel 3 smartwatch. The feature detects when the user’s heart has stopped beating and prompts them to check-in before sounding an alarm and contacting emergency services. A Nature paper detailing the tech notes that unwitnessed cardiac arrests are “nearly unsurvivable,” and while calling for help probably wouldn’t impact outcomes on its own, loss of pulse often without the knowledge of nearby people who can help (like a spouse sleeping next to you).
- Third-Party GLP-1 Access: An Omada Health survey of over 2k PCPs found that two-thirds believe that patients could be putting their health at risk by accessing GLP-1s for weight loss through third-party telehealth prescribers like Hims & Hers. More than half (57%) said they actively caution their patients against accessing GLP-1s through direct-to-consumer services (which also just got hit by the FDA ending the compounded GLP-1 market), citing concerns with continuity of care and the need for lifestyle change alongside the medication.
- Walgreens Nears Take-Private Move: The Financial Times reported that Sycamore Partners is nearing the completion of a deal that would take Walgreens private. The article says that financing won’t be an issue, and that the PE firm intends to split Walgreens into three separate businesses after the transaction: the Walgreens U.S. pharmacy, the Boots U.K. pharmacy, and the Shields Health Solutions specialty pharmacy (surprisingly no mention of VillageMD).
- CHAI Model Cards: The Coalition for Health AI released details on its long-awaited model card registry, a central repository for “AI model cards” that are designed to serve as a standardized nutrition label for AI models. The CHAI model cards give AI purchasers a basic understanding of each model’s training data, fairness metrics, and intended use. Inclusion in the registry apparently represents CHAI’s stamp of approval on the model and the vendor.
- PointClickCare Behavioral Health Launch: PointClickCare and MassHealth launched a Behavioral Health Treatment and Referral Platform to accelerate placement for patients awaiting inpatient psychiatric care. By supporting Massachusetts’ Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admission protocol, the platform helps eliminate system bottlenecks and ensure smoother patient transitions between hospitals, EDs, and post-acute care facilities. The BHTR platform not only streamlines the referral process, but also shares provider capacity data and standardizes admissions information to provide a clearer view of patients awaiting placement.
- More AI in Primary Care: AI in primary care is back in the spotlight after a survey from Rock Health and the AAFP confirmed that adoption is still in its early innings despite a growing appetite for AI solutions. Only 32% of PCPs are currently using AI tools, with leading use cases like clerical support (18% use AI daily), information management (11%), and clinical decision support (7%). It was interesting to see the slow uptake, especially considering that over 90% of PCPs in every category said they’d like to try AI.
- Hyfe DTx for Chronic Cough: Pulmonary DTx startup Hyfe is teaming up with Japanese pharma company Kyorin to develop a digital therapeutic to manage chronic cough for the Japanese market. The solution will deliver Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy enabled by Hyfe’s cough-detection technology, which uses smartphone microphones to track cough counts, frequency, and bouts. Hyfe is now looking for partnerships to bring its solution to the U.S. market.
- Humana + Thyme: Humana inked a value-based agreement with Thyme Care to provide cancer care support for its Medicare Advantage members. Qualified members across seven states can now access Thyme Care’s services, including around-the-clock virtual care navigation. Thyme connects patients with a care team of oncology nurses, NPs, social workers, and resource specialists that provide support for chronic condition management, urgent care, palliative care, and medication guidance.
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The State of Payer Enrollment & Credentialing
Rising costs, slow automation, and evolving regulations are creating new challenges for credentialing and enrollment. Medallion’s latest report uncovers the biggest trends shaping the future – and how AI and automation are driving change. Don’t fall behind – get the full report now.
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Abridge is the Best in KLAS No. 1 Market Leader
KLAS has named Abridge the No. 1 ambient AI in its annual Best in KLAS report. This award is based on feedback from customers – and Abridge customers gave the highest satisfaction scores. Learn more about why the largest and most complex healthcare systems choose Abridge as the AI platform of choice.
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- Abridge is the Best in KLAS No. 1 Market Leader: KLAS has named Abridge the No. 1 ambient AI in its annual Best in KLAS report. This award is based on feedback from customers – and Abridge customers gave the highest satisfaction scores. Learn more about why the largest and most complex healthcare systems choose Abridge as the AI platform of choice.
- Top Systems Scale Primary Care With K Health: Leading health systems are turning to K Health’s AI-driven primary care solution to give their patients access to high-quality care with wait times measured in hours, not months. Find out why K Health is the only clinical AI company partnering with top systems to scale fully integrated primary care experiences.
- Transforming Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring: BPM Pro 2 integrates effortlessly into health programs, streamlines care delivery, and boosts patient adherence and engagement. Discover a better experience for your patients and care teams.
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