More than 40 million people worldwide now turn to ChatGPT each day for health-related guidance, according to a report OpenAI shared exclusively with Axios.
The data show Americans increasingly using AI tools to navigate the complex U.S. health care system, from decoding medical bills to appealing insurance denials, Axios reported.
Exclusive: 40 million Americans turn to ChatGPT for health care https://t.co/hjqwXbgZ9U
— Axios (@axios) January 5, 2026
OpenAI said more than 5 percent of all ChatGPT messages globally involve health care.
Users submit up to 1.9 million insurance-related questions weekly, while rural communities account for hundreds of thousands of health queries. Most conversations occur outside normal clinic hours.
The company says patients view ChatGPT as a support tool, especially when access to doctors is limited. However, OpenAI acknowledged risks, including inaccurate or dangerous advice.
Several states have moved to restrict AI use in mental health decisions. As costs rise and coverage tightens, reliance on AI health guidance is expected to grow.
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