Healthtech company with integrated U.S. medical practice offers free global AI access and seamless care delivery – addressing the gap left by tech giants.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, January 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — JPM Healthcare Conference –
Nevada-based AstroDoc, a healthcare technology company operating an integrated virtual direct primary care practice, today announced its healthcare AI system ASTRID, launching Spring 2026 with free healthcare AI accessible to English speakers worldwide, and a premium tier with integrated medical practice and healthcare partners in the U.S.
The announcement comes during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, the same week OpenAI and Anthropic entered healthcare with AI platforms focused on health data analysis – but without integrated pathways to actual care delivery.
ASTRID takes a different approach, addressing what Dr. Samir Qamar, AstroDoc founder and CEO, calls “the last mile problem”:
“With AI, you know where you stand. But you don’t necessarily know where to go. Open AI and Anthropic offer ways to integrate and interpret data, which is useful,” Qamar noted. “What happens next is missing. This is where AstroDoc comes in.”
Healthcare Companies Building in AI, Not AI Companies Building in Healthcare
“These companies are AI companies building in healthcare,” Dr. Qamar said. “We need healthcare companies building in AI. The same technology, but with the responsibility and accountability for sensitive data expected of medical institutions.”
ASTRID is supported by AstroDoc Virtual Care, a licensed national medical practice, and an integrated healthcare marketplace enabling comprehensive care delivery – capabilities technology AI platforms currently lack.
When ASTRID identifies health concerns, U.S. users get direct access to AstroDoc Virtual Care in addition to seamless connections to healthcare partners for specialists, labs, and imaging. Patient medical records are managed under healthcare regulations with medical institution accountability as a HIPAA-covered entity, not through tech vendor agreements. Outside the U.S., ASTRID provides AI-powered health guidance with features developed in compliance with local healthcare regulations.
“Knowledge is power. Knowledge with actionable next steps is transformative,” Dr. Qamar noted. “Healthcare AI that only analyzes data leaves patients to navigate fragmented systems alone. In the U.S., we’ve integrated a medical practice and healthcare partners so analysis seamlessly connects to care.”
ASTRID: Free Globally, Integrated Care in the U.S.
Free Tier – Healthcare Knowledge for All, Worldwide:
Voice and text chat multi-LLM healthcare guidance combining multiple AI models for accuracy verification, accessible to anyone, anywhere – no geographic restrictions, no subscriptions, no barriers. Launching globally for all English speakers with multi-language support planned for expansion.
Premium Tier – Solving the “Last Mile” with Integrated Care (Spring 2026):
When ASTRID identifies health concerns requiring medical attention –
For U.S. Users:
Personal health data analysis with AI-powered insights, direct physician access for consultations, prescription capabilities when clinically appropriate, specialist referrals, lab and imaging orders through healthcare partners, and medical records maintained as a HIPAA-covered entity. Beta testing begins January 2026.
For International Users:
Personal health data analysis with AI-powered insights, with additional care delivery features being developed in compliance with local regulations market by market.
Key Differentiators
Healthcare Company Accountability:
• Built by a healthcare company, not an AI company entering healthcare
• Medical institution standards for sensitive data protection
• HIPAA-covered entity status (U.S. medical practice)
• Healthcare provider protections, not just tech vendor agreements
• Responsibility and accountability expected of medical institutions
Solves the “Last Mile” in the U.S.:
• Integrated national U.S. virtual medical practice operating since 2024
• Seamless access from AI guidance to physician care to specialists, labs, imaging, and more
• Direct prescription, referral, prior authorization, and care coordination authority
• Actionable next steps when AI identifies health concerns – from “where you stand” to “where to go”
Global Access & Trust:
• Free tier accessible to English speakers worldwide with no subscriptions
• Multi-LLM verification cross-checks multiple AI models with source citations
• HIPAA-compliant (U.S.), GDPR-ready (Europe), with appropriate international data protections
• Multi-language expansion planned
Market Context
Both Anthropic (Claude for Healthcare) and OpenAI (ChatGPT Health) announced healthcare AI tools in the last week, focusing on health data analysis and interpretation.
Anthropic’s consumer offering requires paid Claude Pro/Max subscriptions with HIPAA-ready services mainly serving enterprise customers. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health operates outside HIPAA protections with yet unclear consumer data control mechanisms.
Neither addresses what happens after analysis – the “last mile” from insight to action.
Dr. Qamar brings proven healthcare innovation experience, having founded MedLion (pioneering Direct Primary Care) and built MedWand into an FDA-cleared telemedicine device platform now deployed internationally. In 2024, he founded AstroDoc as a healthtech company with integrated U.S. medical practice capabilities.
“The fundamental question isn’t just whether AI belongs in healthcare – it’s who should build it,” Dr. Qamar noted. “AI companies building in healthcare, or healthcare companies building in AI? We believe the latter brings the accountability and responsibility that sensitive health data demands.”
Launch Timeline
• January 2026: Beta launch with existing AstroDoc Virtual Care patients in the U.S.
• Spring 2026:
– Free ASTRID launches globally for all English speakers worldwide
– Premium ASTRID with integrated medical practice and marketplace launches in the U.S. (HIPAA-compliant)
– International premium versions with locally compliant features
• Post-Launch: Multi-language support rollout and expanded international capabilities
Waitlist: Now open at www.myastrid.ai
“Healthcare knowledge should be accessible everywhere,” Dr. Qamar added. “That’s why our free tier launches globally for English speakers with no barriers. In the U.S., premium integration with our medical practice and healthcare partners delivers actionable next steps – complete care pathways that solve the ‘last mile.’ Internationally, we’re building compliant solutions for each market.”
About AstroDoc, Inc.
AstroDoc is a healthcare technology company that connects AI-powered health guidance to actual care delivery. AstroDoc Virtual Care, established in 2024, provides HIPAA-compliant virtual primary care services in the U.S. In 2025, AstroDoc developed ASTRID to provide responsible AI-powered health guidance globally, integrating with its first healthcare marketplace in the U.S. AstroDoc is headquartered in Nevada, USA. Learn more at www.astrodoc.com.
Media Contact:
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www.myastrid.ai
AstroDoc Media
AstroDoc, Inc.
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