Northwell Health Pioneers “Agentic Framework” to Revolutionize Healthcare Management and Patient Care with AI
Northwell Health, one of the largest and most complete healthcare systems in the United States, is aggressively pursuing a future powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through its venture arm, Aegis Ventures, Northwell has launched ascertain, a company creation platform designed to rapidly develop and deploy AI-driven solutions addressing critical challenges within healthcare.This initiative isn’t simply about adopting new technology; it’s about fundamentally reshaping how healthcare is delivered, managed, and experienced - a strategy built on a foundation of data, governance, and a commitment to impactful patient outcomes.
From Administrative Burden to Empowered Care Teams: the Power of AI Agents
A core component of Northwell’s strategy revolves around the implementation of “agentic frameworks” – AI agents designed to automate complex, repetitive administrative tasks. As explained by Northwell’s leadership, these agents are already demonstrating tangible benefits. for example, agents are being utilized to ingest and interpret payer rules, automating the claims submission process for care managers. This frees up valuable time for clinicians, allowing them to focus on what matters most: direct patient care and family engagement.
“We took a lot of repeatable administrative tasks and put them in the hands of the AI agents,” explains a Northwell representative. “That ends up being vrey efficient for the workforce, and also lets the case managers focus more time and attention on the patients and their families.”
This isn’t a theoretical exercise. Northwell understands the need to demonstrate concrete value. however, measuring the return on investment (ROI) of these innovations is a nuanced process.
Defining Success in the Age of AI: A Dynamic Approach to KPIs
Northwell recognizes that defining success with AI isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process of refinement and adaptation. The health system is actively developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that go beyond simple cost savings.
“When you define what success looks like, it’s a moving target,” notes a Northwell leader. “As you launch an agentic framework, how do you want to measure that? Do you want to measure patient or employee satisfaction? Has it done anything to impact the patient experience? We’re also looking at direct ROI and whether we can scale these solutions enterprise-wide without a proportional increase in staffing.”
Currently, the initial impact of these agents is largely ”behind the scenes,” streamlining processes without directly impacting the patient experience. However, Northwell is actively exploring how AI can be leveraged for more complex tasks, such as interpreting payer rules to reduce claim denials and minimize rework for both healthcare providers and insurance companies.
Building a Robust Foundation for AI Innovation: Interoperability, Security, and Governance
Northwell isn’t simply rushing to deploy AI; they are building a robust infrastructure to support its long-term success. A key focus is on interoperability - ensuring seamless and secure facts flow between different systems and applications. This is critical for scaling AI solutions across the enterprise.
The health system is also acutely aware of the need for strong governance, security, and ethical considerations. “We are concurrently trying to build a governance structure and an infrastructure that supports that work going forward,” a Northwell spokesperson stated. “With how quickly technology evolves, many systems are scrambling to ensure they have the right related safety, security, governance, efficiency and ethics in place to launch new products.”
Unlocking the Power of Data: A Competitive Advantage
Northwell’s commitment to AI is underpinned by its rich and diverse data assets. The health system is leveraging structured surgical video data, real-time streaming data, and even “omics” data (genomic, proteomic, etc.) to fuel its AI initiatives. This data is not only driving internal innovation but also opening doors to new collaborations and partnerships within the industry.
“We believe that all lies the foundation for new collaborations and partnerships within the industry. It also supports research and working with peer organizations, and it could also be the foundation for possibly launching some new commercial ventures and partnerships,” Northwell leadership explains. Actually, the organization is already developing several “stealth” projects with the potential to be brought to market.
addressing Future Healthcare Challenges: An Aging Population and the Rise of Chronic Conditions
Northwell’s investment in AI is strategically aligned with the evolving healthcare landscape. The aging population, coupled with a shift towards Medicare-sponsored plans and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, presents significant challenges.
The health system anticipates a surge in demand for neurological care, specialized surgical services, and behavioral health support. Crucially, Northwell recognizes that care delivery must extend beyond the traditional hospital or doctor’s
