As US medical debt grows, AI will be used more to collect it
The debt-collection ecosystem will change as AI takes notes in exam rooms, codes visits and sends billing messages Medical debt is expected to grow in coming years as Republican-led health cuts come into force this winter. As it does, a changing world of medical billing and debt collection awaits patients: one where artificial intelligence increasingly listens, codes, bills and collects.…
The medical debt crisis is set to intensify as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly involved in the collection process. With Republican-led health cuts set to take effect this winter, more Americans will be left uninsured, leading to a surge in medical debt for both insured and uninsured individuals. Artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in exam room note-taking, visit coding, and billing message sending, altering the debt-collection ecosystem.
AI agents will even text patients through billing portals. A recent report found that over one in four US adults reported owing medical debt in 2025, with the same proportion for those with health insurance. AI-backed medical coding and billing services are finding new markets due to these health reforms. Companies like Cedar, which uses AI to screen patients for insurance and match them with AI-driven discounts, are turning to high-tech collectors as cash-strapped hospitals seek to improve collections.
However, the use of AI in coding has sparked controversy, with some arguing it leads to inflated healthcare costs.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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