Thursday, March 16, 2023

Meet Your New Doc: A.I.!!

That doctor you think is treating you?

Fuggedaboutit.  Your insurer's A.I. is running this show.

A recent investigation by STAT News found that AI algorithms have influenced how Medicare insurers deny insurance to patients. In some cases, insurers cut off benefits for elderly patients because the AI says they should be better, ignoring what human doctors have to say about the patient’s condition.

STAT News reports that as AI continues to become integrated into various industries, its impact on the healthcare sector is starting to become apparent. A recent investigation by STAT has revealed that AI’s influence on Medicare Advantage insurers may be driving denials to unprecedented levels, affecting millions of older Americans who rely on the taxpayer-funded program....

Given the cost-cutting going on in the medicine sector of the economy, this is not a major surprise--except to the doctors and their patients.

Little question about the underlying cause, which is Congress.  They make a lot of promises and don't pay for them.  Medicare itself is a short-timer without either a Medicare-tax increase or a major reduction in benefits.

Maybe that's the reason for the 'algorithm problem.'

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