OpenAI is introducing a health feature in ChatGPT for U.S. users aged 18 and older, allowing them to connect Apple Health, medical records, and wellness apps to review lab results, prepare for appointments, and analyze health data. The feature is part of a broader effort to integrate health-related functions into the platform, with a focus on improving user experience and accessibility. Free users will receive health advice powered by GPT-5.5 Instant, while paying subscribers will have access to the more advanced GPT-5.6 Sol model. OpenAI claims that the new model performs better in health benchmarks, though it emphasizes that the feature is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Source: thedecoder
The health feature is being rolled out after months of testing, with OpenAI stating that it will not use connected health data for model training or advertising. Free users receive lower-quality health advice, as the GPT-5.5 Instant model scores lower on health benchmarks than the GPT-5.6 Sol model. OpenAI claims that both models outperform physician-written answers on the HealthBench Professional test, with the largest gaps in completeness and health decision helpfulness. However, the company acknowledges that benchmarks are artificial and may not fully reflect real-world medical scenarios. Source: thedecoder
OpenAI has faced criticism for the two-tier system, which provides better advice to paying users. The company states that more than 260 physicians helped develop the Health features, but early tests showed that over 70% of users asked health questions outside the dedicated Health section due to usability issues. The company has since made Health available in any conversation while maintaining a separate section for data management and past health chats. Despite these improvements, OpenAI warns that ChatGPT can still make mistakes and cannot replace medical advice. Source: thedecoder
