Will AI Fix Prior Authorization—or Make It Worse?

The UK government has initiated a pilot program that explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in making insurance-coverage decisions. This initiative aims to streamline the prior authorization process, which has often been criticized for delays and inefficiencies in healthcare access.

Prior authorization is a requirement from health insurers that necessitates healthcare providers to obtain approval before delivering certain services or medications to patients. This process can lead to significant delays in treatment, impacting patient care. By integrating AI, the government hopes to enhance decision-making efficiency and reduce the administrative burden on healthcare providers.

The pilot program will assess how AI can be utilized to analyze data and make quicker, more accurate coverage decisions. However, there are concerns regarding the potential drawbacks of AI in this context. Critics argue that reliance on algorithms may lead to inconsistencies and could complicate the approval process further if not implemented carefully.

As the pilot progresses, stakeholders in the healthcare sector will closely monitor its outcomes to determine whether AI can indeed improve the prior authorization system or if it may introduce new challenges.

Source: arstechnica.com – https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/07/will-ai-fix-prior-authorization-or-make-it-worse/