“Medicare should be reformed [to]… Reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, including through the use of artificial intelligence for their detection.” (General Welfare, Dept. of Health, p. 463)

The idea to use artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare will harm seniors in several ways. First, AI might incorrectly deny healthcare services because its algorithms aren’t perfect and can make mistakes. This means that legitimate medical needs would not be covered. Second, healthcare providers will face more paperwork as they work with new systems, which can take time away from caring for patients. Third, some groups of seniors, like those from different racial backgrounds or lower income, might struggle to get the care they need because AI could unfairly flag their claims. Finally, using AI could make healthcare less personal and warm, which is important for many seniors with complex health needs.