Canada
In September 2018, Babylon formed a partnership with the Canadian digital solutions company Telus Health to deliver Healthcare services in Canada. In 2021, Babylon stopped providing clinical healthcare services in Canada and entered into a software licensing deal with Telus.[19]
Rwanda
In September 2016, Babylon Health launched in Rwanda as Babyl, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Rwanda was the first country outside of the UK to acquire Babylon Health's services. By May 2018, Babyl was reported to have 2 million members, covering roughly 30% of Rwanda's adult population.[20]
In 2018 Babylon launched their artificially intelligent chatbot in Rwanda.[21] At the time of launch, the Babylon AI system did not include some common diseases relevant to Rwanda such as tuberculosis or Malaria.[22]
In January 2020, Babylon Health reported 1 million completed consultations in Rwanda. In March 2020, the company signed a 10-year partnership with the Rwandan government, agreeing to roll out Babyl to all Rwandans over the age of 12 through the government's community-based health insurance scheme, Mutuelle de Santé.
United Kingdom
In the UK, Babylon Healthcare Services Ltd provides services via private subscription, pay-as-you-go and through the private medical insurer Bupa from 2013.
NHS-funded free GP at Hand
In November 2017, Babylon additionally launched GP at Hand, providing a free at-the-point-of-care, NHS-funded service.[23] GP at Hand NHS patients can book virtual appointments through the Babylon App and if necessary request in-person appointments at one of Babylon Health's clinics. NHS GPs can prescribe medication, issue sick notes, and refer users to specialists.[24] In August 2021 Babylon GP at Hand had a list of over 100,000 patients. The patient population is significantly skewed towards younger patients, with 85% of GP at Hand patients being aged between 20 and 39, compared with just 28% nationally.[25] The service was criticised for explicitly discouraging registration of older, frailer, demented, pregnant patients, those needing end-of-life care, and those with complex social, physical and psychological needs, thereby creaming off the more lucrative younger and healthier patients, leaving other NHS practices to handle the others.
NHS-funded free GP at Hand
In November 2017, Babylon additionally launched GP at Hand, providing a free at-the-point-of-care, NHS-funded service.[23] GP at Hand NHS patients can book virtual appointments through the Babylon App and if necessary request in-person appointments at one of Babylon Health's clinics. NHS GPs can prescribe medication, issue sick notes, and refer users to specialists.[24] In August 2021 Babylon GP at Hand had a list of over 100,000 patients. The patient population is significantly skewed towards younger patients, with 85% of GP at Hand patients being aged between 20 and 39, compared with just 28% nationally.[25] The service was criticised for explicitly discouraging registration of older, frailer, demented, pregnant patients, those needing end-of-life care, and those with complex social, physical and psychological needs, thereby creaming off the more lucrative younger and healthier patients, leaving other NHS practices to handle the others.[26]
In August 2022 Babylon Health announced cuts to its NHS GP at Hand service in Birmingham as it was not profitable. Babylon also ended a ten-year partnership with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust after only two years as it was not making enough revenue.
Cuts, administration, and sale
Also in August 2022, shortly after the opening of large-scale office space in Euston to accommodate clinical staff, founder Ali Parsa addressed the entire company in a video conference and announced widespread immediate company cutbacks whereby nearly half the workforce was made redundant from the company's Knightsbridge and Euston offices, including many head office staff who had been working at Babylon since its inception, and many other clinical operations staff members. This unexpected zero-notice action left many staff with subpar redundancy packages.[28]
Parsa was replaced as director by Miami-based Michael Cole.[26] The company collapsed into administration on 11 September 2023 and its assets were sold for £500,000 to US giant EMED Healthcare, which promised continuity and expansion.[8][26]
United States
Babylon began operations in North America in 2018. In August 2019, at the same time as their series C funding announcement, Babylon Health stated that the new investment would, amongst other uses, allow for international expansion into the United States.[29]
In May 2020, Babylon Health announced a partnership with Mount Sinai Health Partners, which would make the app and its healthcare services available to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.[30] New Yorkers can consult doctors from the New York Telemedicine Association.[31]
In October 2020, it was announced that Babylon Health and Home State Health had partnered to launch its new Babylon 360 service to health plan members living in 10 counties in Southeast Missouri which would see Babylon serve as the primary care physician via its mobile application.[32] In March 2021, Babylon Health expanded its Babylon 360 services in California with an investment in First Choice Medical Group which serves nearly 50,000 Medicare Advantage and Medi-Cal members. It also supports a network of 180 primary care providers and 1,000 specialty providers. In April 2021, Babylon Health acquired Meritage Medical Network, a medical group with 700 physicians based in California.
