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Insurers claim AI is already increasing healthcare costs
Hospitalsâ use of artificial intelligence tools as they submit insurance claims led to an additional $942 million in healthcare spending over a two-year period, according to an analysis by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
The BCBSA analysis found âÂÂa sharp increase in patients being documented as having complex conditions,â but argued there is a âÂÂclear disconnect between [medical] coding and treatment,â as thereâÂÂs âÂÂno evidence of corresponding change in care delivered.âÂÂ
The New York Times pointed the analysis as just the latest sign that AI is contributing to an increase in healthcare costs. While battles between hospitals and insurers over treatments and payments are nothing new, the NYT said the use of AI on both sides seems to be making it worse.
Dr. Shiv Rao, founder of AI startup Abridge, acknowledged that the use of AI could lead to âÂÂa horrible dystopic future nobody wants to live in,â with âÂÂbots fighting bots, agents fighting agents.â But Rao said it might also reduce tensions and cut costs.
And the BCBSAâÂÂs senior vice president Luke Chalker resisted characterizing the situation as a battle, claiming, âÂÂItâÂÂs not a war. ItâÂÂs a completely one-sided blood bath,â with insurers on the losing side.
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