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In reply to the discussion: Murdered Insurance CEO Had Deployed an AI to Automatically Deny Benefits for Sick People [View all]dalton99a
(84,881 posts)1. Error rate is a feature, not a bug
https://arstechnica.com/health/2023/11/ai-with-90-error-rate-forces-elderly-out-of-rehab-nursing-homes-suit-claims/
UnitedHealth uses AI model with 90% error rate to deny care, lawsuit alleges
For the largest health insurer in the US, AI's error rate is like a feature, not a bug.
Beth Mole Nov 16, 2023 5:37 PM
UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance company in the US, is allegedly using a deeply flawed AI algorithm to override doctors' judgments and wrongfully deny critical health coverage to elderly patients. This has resulted in patients being kicked out of rehabilitation programs and care facilities far too early, forcing them to drain their life savings to obtain needed care that should be covered under their government-funded Medicare Advantage Plan.
That's all according to a lawsuit filed this week in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota. The lawsuit is brought by the estates of two deceased people who were denied health coverage by UnitedHealth. The suit also seeks class-action status for similarly situated people, of which there may be tens of thousands across the country.
The lawsuit lands alongside an investigation by Stat News that largely backs the lawsuit's claims. The investigation's findings stem from internal documents and communications the outlet obtained, as well as interviews with former employees of NaviHealth, the UnitedHealth subsidiary that developed the AI algorithm called nH Predict.
"By the end of my time at NaviHealth I realized: I'm not an advocate, I'm just a moneymaker for this company," Amber Lynch, an occupational therapist and former NaviHealth case manager, told Stat. "It's all about money and data points," she added. 'It takes the dignity out of the patient, and I hated that."
...
UnitedHealth uses AI model with 90% error rate to deny care, lawsuit alleges
For the largest health insurer in the US, AI's error rate is like a feature, not a bug.
Beth Mole Nov 16, 2023 5:37 PM
UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance company in the US, is allegedly using a deeply flawed AI algorithm to override doctors' judgments and wrongfully deny critical health coverage to elderly patients. This has resulted in patients being kicked out of rehabilitation programs and care facilities far too early, forcing them to drain their life savings to obtain needed care that should be covered under their government-funded Medicare Advantage Plan.
That's all according to a lawsuit filed this week in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota. The lawsuit is brought by the estates of two deceased people who were denied health coverage by UnitedHealth. The suit also seeks class-action status for similarly situated people, of which there may be tens of thousands across the country.
The lawsuit lands alongside an investigation by Stat News that largely backs the lawsuit's claims. The investigation's findings stem from internal documents and communications the outlet obtained, as well as interviews with former employees of NaviHealth, the UnitedHealth subsidiary that developed the AI algorithm called nH Predict.
"By the end of my time at NaviHealth I realized: I'm not an advocate, I'm just a moneymaker for this company," Amber Lynch, an occupational therapist and former NaviHealth case manager, told Stat. "It's all about money and data points," she added. 'It takes the dignity out of the patient, and I hated that."
...
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Murdered Insurance CEO Had Deployed an AI to Automatically Deny Benefits for Sick People [View all]
Coventina
Dec 5
OP
Fortunately, a "90% error rate" does not mean 90% of care was denied. It means that of the 8% or so of claims/authorizat
Silent Type
Dec 5
#7
No, niyad, I'm saying doctors do cheat. HHS estimates $100 B a year on fraudulent and unneeded care, and that
Silent Type
Dec 5
#24
The fraud has been documented and addressed to some degree. Not as well as it should/could be.
Passages
Dec 6
#82
I agree, but it didn't work under Obama and it's even less likely to work now. If Obama had insisted ACA not use
Silent Type
Dec 5
#33
He didn't once it was obvious it wouldn't pass and might bring the whole ACA down.
Silent Type
Dec 5
#39
Chamber leaders can count likely votes. We are lucky McCain gave thumbs up for what we got.
Silent Type
Dec 5
#43
We got the best we could get and should be thankful for it and hope that some day in the future it's improved.
Silent Type
Dec 5
#48
So, you think we can totally reform the healthcare system without leaders and the votes. Good luck.
Silent Type
Dec 5
#55
Call up Democrats and get a bunch on board if you think you can, I'll support that.
Silent Type
Dec 6
#67
My point is that it's unlikely to happen nowadays, but if you figure out a viable way I will support it.
Silent Type
Dec 6
#69
So Gallop poll that show 53% do not want private insurers, even if under universal healthcare
Silent Type
Dec 5
#64
Like Medicare Advantage which is not Medicare but a privately owned insurance compay..
Historic NY
Dec 6
#89
IMO, until Congress decides to provide similar "extra benefits" for original Medicare beneficiaries, we should not
Silent Type
Dec 6
#90
Why are they shooting the company ex .that sells Medicare Advantage if its so good.
Historic NY
Dec 6
#94
First off, the shooter looks too young for Medicare. Second, MA is the only potential
Silent Type
Dec 6
#95
I worked in a doctor's office, the insurance companies puts up all kinds of crazy hurdles
AdamGG
Dec 5
#34
I'm assuming you also dealt with Medicare coverage policies with crazy hurdles, especially
Silent Type
Dec 5
#40
Some. Started out working for a state's Medicaid agency in 1970s and have done similar work since, but not for
Silent Type
Dec 6
#91
I hear ya... I have more sympathy for all the insurees who got screwed, sick, or died under that prick's authority.
InAbLuEsTaTe
Dec 5
#28
Why am I not surprised? We need national AI regulation and we need it fucking yesterday.
Karasu
Dec 5
#11
It was indeed a shitshow, but when the alternative is marching quietly into the night for unmitigated fascism...
Karasu
Dec 5
#18
That explains the words written on the bullet that killed him: "deny," "defend" and "depose"
Liberty Belle
Dec 5
#20
Kansas decided the turn over their Foster Care to a for profit company, a while back...
HappyLarge
Dec 6
#74
So, he didn't even want to pay for quack doctors who couldn't make it practicing medicine to rubber stamp denied on case
Attilatheblond
Dec 5
#30
Only if it's abused, otherwise the potential benefits outweigh the potential cons.
cstanleytech
Dec 6
#86