A new AI tool developed by Mass General Brigham has identified long COVID in 22.8% of patients, much higher than previous 7% estimates. The tool analyses health records from nearly 300,000 patients, using 'precision phenotyping' to distinguish long COVID symptoms from pre-existing conditions. It improves diagnostic accuracy and addresses demographic biases. Researchers plan to release the algorithm publicly for global use, potentially advancing research on long COVID subtypes.

**For healthcare providers and insurers:** You need to reassess your long COVID patient estimates and resource allocation. This AI tool's higher detection rate (22.8% vs 7%) suggests you may be significantly underestimating the scale of the problem. Consider implementing similar AI-driven diagnostic tools to improve accuracy and reduce demographic biases. **For employers across industries:** Prepare for potentially higher rates of long-term employee absences or reduced productivity. Review and update your health insurance policies and workplace accommodations to support affected staff adequately. **For AI and healthcare tech companies:** There's a growing market for advanced diagnostic tools in post-pandemic healthcare. Invest in developing similar AI algorithms for other complex or poorly understood conditions to gain a competitive edge.

Expect a surge in long COVID diagnoses as this tool becomes widely available, leading to increased pressure on healthcare systems and workplace policies. The public release of the algorithm will likely accelerate global research on long COVID subtypes, potentially leading to more targeted treatments. This could create new opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. The success of this AI tool may spark a trend of using 'precision phenotyping' in other areas of medicine, revolutionizing how we diagnose and treat complex conditions. Prepare for a shift towards more data-driven, personalized healthcare approaches in your organization's health policies and benefits offerings.