Will AI Be the End of the Prior Auth Paper Chase or Cause More Chaos? (Medscape)

AI has the potential to revolutionize prior authorization by reducing administrative burdens and expediting approvals, but physicians remain wary that it could worsen care delays and increase denials if layered on top of a flawed system. While insurers tout AI’s efficiency, doctors fear it may be used to deny care without proper oversight—especially given past misuse by insurers like Cigna and UnitedHealth. Experts agree that for AI to improve outcomes, prior authorization must first be reformed to be more transparent, clinically grounded, and patient-focused. Otherwise, AI could merely automate inequities at scale.