Artificial-intelligence tools used in medical billing are contributing to higher costs for Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers, according to a study released by the association. Reuters reported that the analysis compared billing patterns in 2024 and 2025 with those seen in 2023.
The study said providers more frequently billed for secondary conditions, which contributed an estimated $653 million in additional costs for Blue Cross companies over the two-year period.
More broadly, the association said more intensive care coding contributed $942 million in extra costs compared with 2023. The figure is a finding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association study and is not an audited estimate for the entire US healthcare system.
Healthcare providers are increasingly using AI for documentation, coding and billing. The trend is intensifying debate between insurers and providers over whether automated tools improve accuracy or encourage more expensive classifications of care.