Can AI Improve Prior Authorization or Worsen It?

Prior authorization, the process of gaining insurance approval for prescribed treatments, is intended to curb overuse and spending but often causes care delays and patient frustration. While artificial intelligence could expedite approvals for straightforward claims by efficiently processing data, many physicians fear it may lead to more wrongful denials. A 2025 American Medical Association survey found that 61 percent of doctors worry AI will exacerbate denials of necessary medical treatments.