OpenCare

Guiding families through Medicaid, one click at a time

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Inspiration:

We discovered that a myriad of Californians can't access the Medi-Cal system not because they're not eligible, but because it's complicated and confusing. So we built OpenCare to make healthcare access understandable, accessible, and fair.

What it does:

OpenCare is an AI-powered web companion that enables users to predict Medi-Cal eligibility, explains the process in simple English or Spanish, and drafts application forms all in one simple chat-based interface.

How we constructed it:

We constructed OpenCare using Next.js, Gemini AI, Firebase, and Google Maps APIs. We combined AI retrieval with real Medi-Cal policy information, developed a bilingual interface, and built a predictive model for eligibility estimates using anonymized demographic inputs.

Problems we encountered:

Achieving the appropriate level of accuracy and compassion in AI responses was difficult we wished for the chatbot to be empathetic and sound human but not provide legal or medical advice. Maintaining privacy compliance and designing an intuitive UX for a sensitive topic were also difficult.

Things we're proud of include:

We built an intuitive, bilingual prototype that simplifies a daunting bureaucratic process for countless individuals. It functions flawlessly on web and mobile, makes eligibility predictions in real-time, and distills confusing healthcare jargon into plain English.

What we learned:

We learned to build responsibly with AI putting clarity, accessibility, and user trust before brute technical potential. Social-impact tech only works if people feel safe to use it.

What's next for OpenCare:

We intend to spread OpenCare to other states, link directly to the APIs of official health agencies, and add more tailored advice while preserving privacy and security. Our aim is to make navigation of public healthcare a breeze for all.

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