Insurers claim AI is already increasing healthcare costs

According to an analysis by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), hospitals' use of artificial intelligence tools when submitting insurance claims led to an additional $942 million in healthcare spending over a two-year period. The analysis found "a sharp increase in patients being documented as having complex conditions," but argued there is a "clear disconnect between [medical] coding and treatment," as there is "no evidence of corresponding change in care delivered." The New York Times cited the analysis as the latest sign that AI is contributing to rising healthcare costs. While battles between hospitals and insurers over treatments and payments are not new, the NYT said the use of AI on both sides appears to be making it worse. Dr. Shiv Rao, founder of AI startup Abridge, acknowledged that AI use could lead to "a horrible dystopic future nobody wants to live in," with "bots fighting bots, agents fighting agents," but said it might also reduce tensions and cut costs. BCBSA senior vice president Luke Chalker resisted characterizing the situation as a battle, claiming, "It's not a war. It's a completely one-sided blood bath," with insurers on the losing side.

(Source：TechCrunch)