The Rise of b.well and Its Role in Health Tech
In January, we highlighted OpenAI’s ChatGPT in healthcare, but we didn’t focus enough on b.well Connected Health. This company is quietly becoming a key player in health data connectivity.
b.well has had a busy few months. In February, they introduced “bailey,” an AI health assistant. Organizations can embed it in their apps to help users with everything from finding healthcare providers to managing prescriptions. By March, Samsung expanded its partnership with b.well to turn Galaxy phones into portable health records. This move aligns with the CMS initiative to simplify patient data sharing. Just days later, Perplexity revealed that b.well is the backbone of its health data integration, merging AI search capabilities with real patient records.
What’s interesting here is a trend. Major tech companies like Google, OpenAI, and Samsung are increasingly relying on b.well for health data connectivity instead of building their own systems. This highlights the company’s significance in creating smooth health tech interactions.
While many focus on advanced AI models, b.well works behind the scenes, ensuring that health data is accurate and comprehensive. They aggregate data from over 2.4 million providers and 350 health plans, refining it for AI applications. This foundational work is critical; it can determine whether AI health tools provide reliable information or just educated guesses.
Think of it like plumbing: good pipes matter more than fancy faucets. However, b.well’s dominance in this space raises questions. As they connect competing tech platforms, it’s crucial to consider data control and quality. Their consumer consent model empowers users, but the stakes are high when one company manages the data flow for multiple platforms.
The Novo-Hims Story: A Rollercoaster of Partnerships
The partnership between Novo Nordisk and Hims & Hers has been rocky. In February 2025, the FDA announced that the semaglutide shortage was over, affecting Hims’ weight-loss business. Despite this, they partnered to offer Wegovy on the Hims platform. But just two months later, Novo ended the deal due to concerns about Hims selling compounded semaglutide alongside branded products.
Fast forward to 2026—Hims introduced a compounded oral semaglutide pill. Novo responded with a lawsuit, but within weeks, they settled. Hims became an authorized distributor of Wegovy and Ozempic and agreed to stop selling competing products.
This saga emphasizes that while the market may seem cleaner with branded products, it often leaves affordability behind. Compounded options were much cheaper, making them more accessible to many patients. With branded products, many people may find themselves priced out of effective treatments.
ElevenLabs: A Game Changer in Healthcare Voice Tech
Let’s take a look at ElevenLabs, a generative voice AI company now valued at $11 billion. Although not a traditional healthcare company, its technology is making waves in the industry. Their voice agents are integrated with major health systems, automating tasks like appointment scheduling and patient triage.
What’s promising is ElevenLabs’ dubbing technology, which can translate videos into multiple languages while keeping the original speaker’s tone. This could revolutionize patient education, making vital information more accessible.
Additionally, their voice cloning initiative helps people who have lost their ability to speak due to illness. Imagine receiving follow-up calls or medication reminders from your own doctor’s voice—this could strengthen patient trust and adherence to treatment.
Yet, this technology comes with risks. If patients can’t distinguish between their clinician’s voice and a convincing AI version, it raises trust concerns. The balance between innovation and ethics is something the healthcare industry must navigate carefully.
In summary, as health tech evolves, companies like b.well and ElevenLabs are critical players. They bridge the gap between technology and patient care, offering new solutions while raising important questions about data control, affordability, and patient trust. Understanding these dynamics is essential as we move forward in this rapidly changing landscape.
