healthcare industry

US health insurers are claiming that artificial intelligence is already increasing healthcare costs, according to a TechCrunch report. The allegation puts the industry at odds with the common narrative that AI will make medicine cheaper and more efficient. Critics are likely to scrutinise how AI-driven tools, from prior authorisation to claims processing, affect patient care and medical spending.

A federal bill has been proposed that would ban the corporate practice of medicine across the United States. If enacted, the legislation would restrict corporations from owning or employing physicians, a model that has expanded rapidly through private equity investment in healthcare. Law firms and healthcare industry observers are examining the proposal's potential effects on hospital ownership, staffing companies and patient care.

Walmart is piloting a new health program aimed at its customers, with details about what the program includes still being reported. The retailer, which has expanded into healthcare services in recent years, is drawing attention as observers ask what services the pilot covers and who will benefit.

Tensions are rising in US healthcare over the use of artificial intelligence, with insurance payers and care providers clashing over how AI is deployed. Insurers increasingly use algorithms for claims review and prior authorization, while providers argue the tools delay or deny care and add administrative burdens. Health system leaders are calling for oversight and regulation as both sides race to adopt AI.

Healthcare insurance companies are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence across novel areas of their business, according to a Forbes report. Insurers are exploring applications beyond traditional claims processing, though the article does not detail specific companies or deployments. The trend reflects broader adoption of AI across the healthcare sector, raising questions about efficiency gains and how automated decisions may affect patients and coverage outcomes.