Seattle-based health-tech company DexCare has acquired Mila Health, a local startup specializing in AI-driven patient appointment scheduling. The deal, announced today, combines DexCare’s existing scheduling infrastructure with Mila’s AI agents designed to handle appointment inquiries via call and text.
DexCare, which originated from Providence’s digital innovation team a decade ago, currently manages appointment workflows for 57 million patients across the U.S., including major systems like Kaiser Permanente and Texas Health Resources. Its platform handles referrals, insurance verification, and scheduling protocols—areas where Mila’s AI can now integrate more deeply.
Mila’s technology stands out by embedding AI agents into existing healthcare systems within hours, according to the company. Unlike generic large language models, these agents are configurable to specific tasks, such as qualifying patients for appointments, and can be audited for compliance, a key concern in healthcare.
“Healthcare can’t rely on out-of-the-box large language models because they’re unpredictable and can’t be audited,” said Shailu Verma, co-founder and CEO of Mila. “With DexCare, providers and payers can configure an AI agent to complete the tasks they can’t staff for.”
DexCare’s CEO, Matt Blosl, noted that while AI solutions are widespread, scaling them for healthcare presents challenges. The company’s infrastructure already supports 133 employees and has raised $146 million, including a $75 million round in 2023. It previously acquired Womp, a Bellingham-based e-commerce platform, in 2022.
Mila, founded in January 2024, has 25 employees and has not raised venture capital, though it participated in the Advanced Technology Development Center accelerator. Verma previously led product strategy at UnitedHealth Group and worked at Amazon Web Services for five years.
The combined company could address a persistent gap in healthcare: automating repetitive scheduling tasks while maintaining compliance. Hospitals often struggle with no-show rates and underutilized appointment slots, and AI agents may help optimize both. Still, adoption will depend on how well the merged platform balances speed with accuracy, a test for any AI-driven healthcare tool.
DexCare was named a finalist for the 2023 Health Innovation of the Year award and ranks No. 43 on GeekWire’s list of top Pacific Northwest startups. The acquisition does not include disclosed financial terms.
