AI cancer screening programs are booming, but you'll likely have to pay for them yourself

The FDA has approved around 600 radiology AI and machine learning programs in the past five years, but most are not covered by insurance. Receiving reimbursement for new AI programs is a slow process. Start-up Avenda Health is concerned that the lack of insurance reimbursement will hinder the adoption of its prostate cancer screening technology. Radiology provider RadNet charges patients a cash fee for accessing its AI-enhanced breast cancer screening program due to the absence of a billing code. The American Medical Association is cautious about designating reimbursement codes for AI tools. Medicare and private insurers have expressed similar apprehensions.