Cigna says AI tools will save customers $200 million in medical costs over three years

Health insurer Cigna said the artificial intelligence tools it is using to identify patients with chronic or complex conditions will save customers $200 million in medical costs over the next three years, Reuters reported. Bryan Holgerson, a president at Cigna Healthcare, said the technology should reduce more expensive health events as hospitalization and emergency service costs continue to rise. Reuters reported that Cigna plans to use the tools to connect more members to clinicians the company employs, such as nurses. Cigna said the programming will allow its 1,250 clinicians to better manage patients' healthcare needs and offer customized support earlier. In a press release cited by Reuters, the company said the changes will boost clinical access by 20% for people with conditions such as cancer and heart or kidney disease, and that it expects the technology to help identify breast, colorectal, and lung cancer earlier. A Cigna spokesperson told Reuters that company data estimates customers using these clinical programs save $2,000 a year in medical costs. The Cigna Group owns Cigna Healthcare, clinical business Evernorth Health Services, and pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts. Reuters noted that UnitedHealth recently described tools that reduced administrative burden for Optum clinicians, and that CVS Health said it plans an AI assistant to call providers and book appointments for members.