Health insurance denials have been on the rise in the United States, fueled in part by automated algorithms that assess claims in mere seconds. However, a new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) tools aims to push back against these denials by generating automated appeals for patients and healthcare providers.
Despite these advancements, experts argue that AI alone cannot solve the deeper issues plaguing the American healthcare system. Structural reforms are needed to curb exorbitant medical costs and ensure that all patients receive the care they require.
Insurance Giants Face Lawsuits Over AI Denials
Leading health insurance providers such as UnitedHealth, Humana, and Cigna are now under legal scrutiny. Class-action lawsuits have been filed against these companies, alleging that AI-driven algorithms have been used to deny crucial medical treatments at alarming rates.
One particular lawsuit against Cigna revealed that the company had denied more than 300,000 claims in just two months, averaging 1.2 seconds per claim. Such a rate strongly suggests that these claims were not thoroughly reviewed by medical professionals but rather rejected by an automated system.
In 2020, UnitedHealth Group acquired naviHealth and integrated its nH Predict algorithm into its insurance assessment process. This AI tool predicts the length of care patients may require. However, reports indicate that nH Predict has a staggering 90% error rate, meaning that nearly nine out of ten denials are overturned upon appeal. Unfortunately, only 0.2% of patients actually appeal their denials, leading many to either pay out of pocket or forego essential medical care.
A Growing Crisis: The Burden on Patients and Providers
The denial of health insurance claims is not just an administrative inconvenience—it has real-life consequences for patients across the U.S. A survey by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that less than 0.2% of individuals using HealthCare.gov actually appeal denied claims.
The prior authorization process, which requires doctors and patients to obtain approval from insurance companies before receiving treatment, has become another bottleneck in the system. In 2022, fewer than 10% of denied prior authorization requests in Medicare Advantage plans were appealed, according to KFF.
This bureaucratic nightmare has forced many medical offices to create entire departments dedicated solely to handling prior authorizations and appeals. This added strain increases healthcare costs and contributes to delays in treatment.
The Human Cost: Patients Struggling to Fight Denials
For many patients, challenging an insurance denial can be a lengthy and exhausting process. Even those with medical knowledge find the process frustrating.
Deirdre O’Reilly, an intensive care physician at the University of Vermont, experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to overturn a denial. When her son, who has severe food allergies, had a reaction while away at college, he visited the emergency room. But BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont denied coverage for the entire visit—leaving her family with a $5,000 medical bill.
Despite appealing four times, each denial came with a different explanation. “My son didn’t have a choice—he was going to die if he didn’t get emergency care,” O’Reilly said. “I can’t believe people have to go through this just to get basic healthcare coverage.”
The Role of AI in Fighting Back
To counter these automated insurance denials, several companies have introduced AI-driven tools designed to assist patients and healthcare providers in appealing claims efficiently and effectively.
Some hospitals have started using generative AI to draft appeal letters, allowing medical staff to fight back against wrongful denials. Additionally, an open-source AI model named Fight Health Insurance has been developed to help patients navigate the complex appeal process.
According to Michelle Mello, a professor of health policy at Stanford University, AI can play a constructive role in fixing the current system. She argues that AI could be used to ensure proper documentation and formatting for insurance claims, reducing the number of denials due to clerical errors.
However, insurers could also leverage AI to improve their processes. Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, stated that up to 85% of denied claims could be prevented if the industry adopted a standardized process rather than requiring different forms for each insurer.
Government and Legislative Actions
The issue of AI-driven denials has attracted the attention of federal and state lawmakers. According to a U.S. Senate report, the three largest providers of Medicare Advantage—UnitedHealthcare, CVS, and Humana—routinely reject claims at high rates using automated processes.
The financial burden of these denials is staggering. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimate that providers spend more than $7.2 billion annually on administrative costs related to appealing denied claims.
In response, CMS recently announced new regulations to reform the prior authorization process in Medicare Advantage plans. Meanwhile, California has passed legislation that prohibits AI from making final coverage decisions and mandates physician oversight.
The Bigger Picture: A Broken Healthcare System
While addressing AI-based denials is a step forward, experts warn that larger reforms are needed.
The U.S. healthcare system is one of the most expensive in the world, consuming nearly 20% of the country’s GDP. High medical costs and insurance bureaucracy continue to push millions of Americans into financial hardship.
According to Mika Hamer, an assistant professor of health policy at the University of Maryland, the core problem isn’t just automation—it’s that the system itself incentivizes cost-cutting over patient care.
“Automation is not inherently bad,” Hamer said. “The problem is that the insurance industry is built around maximizing profits. AI just makes it easier to deny claims faster.”
Conclusion: The Future of AI in Health Insurance
The battle between AI-driven insurance denials and AI-assisted appeals represents a growing conflict within the healthcare industry. While AI has the potential to streamline processes and reduce errors, it must be implemented with proper oversight and ethical considerations.
Legislative efforts, corporate responsibility, and consumer advocacy will all play critical roles in shaping the future of AI in healthcare. Until then, patients must remain vigilant, understanding their rights to appeal and leveraging new AI tools to fight back against unjust claim denials.
