Latest News
Sword launches Intelligence to advance AI in healthcare
Built from the internal need to efficiently manage care for 500,000+ members, Sword Intelligence now offers its battle-tested AI solutions to providers, payers, and governments, helping them scale critical workflows, ease administrative burdens, and improve patient care. NEW YORK — July 29, 2025 — Sword Health, the world’s leading AI Care company, today announced the launch of Sword Intelligence, a new division designed to help providers, payers, and governments address critical operational challenges in healthcare through AI-powered solutions. This marks a pivotal evolution in Sword Health’s strategy, extending beyond care delivery to help healthcare organizations better manage and scale their care. Sword Intelligence is the result of years of internal development at Sword Health, where AI Care Manager agents were built to streamline non-clinical workflows such as enrollment, triage, eligibility checks, and high-risk member outreach. While Phoenix, Sword’s AI Care specialist focused on clinical care delivery, continues to support patients directly, Sword Intelligence introduces a new generation of agents specialized in care management, built to streamline the coordination of care, reduce administrative burden, and help healthcare organizations operate with greater speed, scale, and precision.
July 29, 2025 • 3 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
Sword Health raises $40M at $4B valuation and unveils Mind
NEW YORK — June 17, 2025 — Sword Health, the world’s leading AI Care company, today announced a $40 million funding round at a $4 billion valuation, led by General Catalyst. The company also unveiled Mind, a revolutionary mental health solution that combines AI and licensed clinicians to deliver continuous, personalized care, finally transforming mental health from episodic talk therapy to a proactive, always-on support system. This next phase of growth was led by General Catalyst, a long-standing partner of Sword and one of the most influential companies in healthcare innovation. With a proven track record of supporting system-level transformation across Healthcare, General Catalyst brings deep expertise and a shared commitment to building a more accessible, scalable, and AI-powered healthcare system. The round also included participation from Khosla Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Lince Capital, Oxy Capital, Armilar, Indico Capital, and Shilling. The funds will accelerate Sword’s M&A momentum, support its global expansion, and drive the continued development of foundational AI models across every major area of care.
June 17, 2025 • 4 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
NHS Trust partners with AI leaders to transform care
London, UK – June 9th, 2025 — Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has announced the launch of the Proactive & Accessible Transformation of Healthcare (PATH) initiative in collaboration with General Catalyst, NVIDIA, Hippocratic AI, and Sword Health. PATH brings together leading technology companies to explore comprehensive solutions to deliver the NHS’s vision of the ‘three shifts’ - from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and treatment to prevention. Through harnessing frontier machine learning and agentic AI technologies, PATH aims to transform NHS care delivery - enabling a more proactive, coordinated, and efficient health system, and laying the foundation for a scalable, national model of population health. PATH will first target one of the Trust’s most urgent challenges: the elective care waiting list. At Guy’s and St Thomas’ alone, over 53,000 patients are waiting for a first appointment, and 25,000 are awaiting surgery.
June 11, 2025 • 4 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
Behind the brand: The making of ‘Dear Body’
By Maggie Myers At Sword, we often say: “When you stop moving, you stop living.” Because it’s never just about the pain. Or the injury. Or the diagnosis. It’s about what happens when your body no longer feels like yours. When everyday movements become reminders of what you’ve lost and your world starts to shrink. That loss rewrites the story of your life. We’ve always believed our mission is bigger than digital care solutions. It’s about reclaiming the lives pain has interrupted and reimagining a system of care that actually works for people. That means breaking down the physical, financial, and emotional barriers that keep so many from getting the help they deserve.
May 8, 2025 • 3 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
Ann Gallo Joins Sword Health Board to Advance AI Healthcare Innovation
Seasoned healthcare investor and advisor brings decades of expertise to support Sword Health’s mission to transform care delivery with AI New York, NY — April 10, 2025 – Sword Health, the AI health company transforming care delivery, today announced the appointment of Ann Gallo to its Board of Directors. Gallo brings nearly 30 years of experience as a healthcare investor and advisor, with deep expertise in healthcare services, medical technology, public and private equity investments. Most recently, Gallo was part of Wellington Management Company, LLP, where she served as senior managing director, partner, and investment team leader of Wellington’s $60 billion healthcare franchise. At Wellington, Gallo managed multiple long-only and long-short diversified healthcare portfolios and played a key role in the firm’s dedicated late-stage private equity investments in healthcare services and medical technology companies. She also held leadership roles on several fiduciary committees, overseeing operations, governance, hedge fund review, and private equity investments.
April 11, 2025 • 2 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
Sword appoints Bruce Broussard to guide AI care
With its groundbreaking AI Care platform fueling rapid growth, Sword is transforming healthcare through AI. The addition of Bruce Broussard as Board Advisor will be instrumental in enhancing industry expertise and shaping the company's future. New York, February 6, 2025 – Sword Health, an AI health company making world-class, life-changing care accessible anytime, anywhere, today announced the appointment of Bruce Broussard, former CEO of Humana, as a board advisor. Broussard’s extensive experience in healthcare innovation and leadership further strengthens Sword Health’s mission to free the world from pain. “Bruce’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare accessibility and outcomes make him an invaluable addition to Sword,” said Virgílio Bento, Founder and CEO of Sword Health. “As we continue to grow globally and transform care delivery, his expertise will be pivotal in shaping our strategy and amplifying our impact.”
February 6, 2025 • 3 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
Sword Health Acquires Surgery Hero to Accelerate Global Growth and Expand its Presence in the UK
As part of this acquisition, Sword Health will collaborate with 18 NHS trusts serving 10 million people to implement its AI Care model, enhancing care delivery and management while significantly reducing costs London and New York, January 23, 2025 – Sword Health, a global leader in AI Care, making world-class, life-changing care accessible anytime, anywhere, today announced its acquisition of Surgery Hero, a UK-based innovator in prehabilitation digital health. This acquisition bolsters Sword's investment in the UK, where the National Health Service (NHS) faces the challenge of long musculoskeletal care waitlists and high healthcare costs. It also underscores the company’s commitment to improving patient outcomes and expanding its impact while expanding their global footprint. Surgery Hero’s expertise in prehabilitation aligns seamlessly with Sword's platform, enabling a more comprehensive approach to care. This collaboration supports faster, smoother recoveries while alleviating pressure on a healthcare system struggling to meet growing patient needs. Surgery Hero's product will remain part of Sword Health's offering and its team will be integrated into Sword.
January 23, 2025 • 3 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
How outcome pricing aligns costs with measurable results
We know that people come to Sword seeking convenient, world-class care so they can overcome pain and discomfort, heal, and continue to thrive in their lives. Putting people first and delivering the outcomes that members desire has always been our priority. That’s why Sword pioneered engagement-based pricing, setting the industry standard so clients only pay when members actively participate in our programs. Today, we’re doubling down on our commitment to delivering exceptional member outcomes by introducing Outcome Pricing. This unprecedented model goes far beyond milestone-based pricing to ensure that what our clients pay is directly tied to our ability to deliver meaningful health improvements to their population.
September 10, 2024 • 4 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
Introducing the Sword Foundation
Team RWB, the U.S.’s leading community of 200,000 veterans, is the launch partner of the Sword Foundation to provide its community with world-class care New York, July 23, 2024 – Sword Health, the pioneer in AI Care, today announced the launch of the Sword Foundation, which will further its mission of freeing two billion people from pain. The Sword Foundation will work to improve health inequities by bringing the company's innovative AI Care platform to underserved communities. The foundation will also focus on advancing the scientific field of pain by providing grants to support cutting-edge research and technical development to solve pain. Globally, billions of people suffer from various types of pain, taking them away from their work and their families and preventing them from living their lives to the fullest. There are approximately two billion people who live with joint and back pain worldwide*1, while there are two billion who are dealing with either pelvic health or mental health conditions.
July 23, 2024 • 4 min read
Sword Health Innovation Team
Fresh health insights
Ultimate employee benefits guide
Employee benefits aren’t just perks. In 2025, they’re a strategic lever. With rising healthcare costs, increased workforce expectations, and the permanent shift toward hybrid work, your benefits strategy isn’t just a retention tool. If you can offer the best employee benefits in your industry, you send a strong message to potential candidates (and to your existing team members). This demonstrates your company values and your bottom line. A strong employee benefits plan signals care, financial strength, and a commitment to invest in your team. A forward-looking benefits plan is a competitive advantage. It influences recruiting outcomes, impacts employee health and productivity, and shapes how your organization is perceived. We want to help you understand the full landscape of a modern benefits plan including what’s most common, and emerging trends. But what really matters is attracting and retaining top talent. This guide will focus on the most cost-effective benefits to achieve that organizational goal.
October 24, 2025 • 19 min read
Sword Editorial Team
Healthcare cost trends for 2026
Healthcare costs are rising again, and health insurance providers are feeling the pressure. After a brief slowdown at the start of the year across the macro industry, costs have continued to push higher on the back of inflation, new drug therapies, and pent-up utilization. Most benefits leaders already know the headlines, like trend lines above 7 percent and specialty drug spend surging, but what they need now are answers. Not all of this is beyond your control. Healthcare leaders can consider these broader trends to update their plans. This guide will explain the key trends impacting the industry in more detail, but the foundations of cost-effective plans are increasingly built on prevention, digital access, and value-based partnerships that drive measurable ROI. We've pulled together a high-level overview of the key trends shaping the cost basis of healthcare in 2026 and beyond. Read on to find what you need to know about the reasons for these trends, and the practical steps you can take to stay ahead.
October 10, 2025 • 8 min read
Sword Editorial Team
GLP-1 muscle loss: the hidden cost of weight loss without movement
Early indications show the drugs are helping patients lose weight. But as more research and analysis is collected, concern around GLP-1 muscle loss is building. While GLP-1s promote fast weight loss, the type of weight lost matters. Clinical research shows that up to 39% of lean body mass is lost during GLP-1 usage. Lean muscle loss from GLP-1 use presents an invisible but dangerous risk, for health insurers and patients alike. Lean muscle loss isn’t cosmetic. This has serious implications for physical health, mobility, long-term function, and cost exposure. For health plan administrators sarcopenia muscle loss adds nearly $900 in excess healthcare costs per employee annually. Lean muscle is essential. Lose it, and you compromise strength, movement, and future health.
August 22, 2025 • 14 min read
Morgan Hollis, MS, RDN
