STAT+: Medicare Advantage insurers face new bipartisan scrutiny over AI and care denials

STAT PlusExclusive Medicare Advantage insurers face new bipartisan scrutiny over AI and care denials Blumenthal, Hawley say insurers’ prior auth practices may ‘have grown worse’ Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Casey Ross and Bob HermanJuly 15, 2026 Ross and Herman have been investigating denials of rehabilitative care by large health insurers for three years. They previously published an investigation into insurers’ reliance on NaviHealth to scrutinize these requests, which was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. Casey Ross[email protected]Casey’s reporting examines the use of artificial intelligence by providers and insurers.Bob Herman[email protected]Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are calling on the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage insurers to provide internal records and detailed information on their use of artificial intelligence to block rehabilitative care. The lawmakers’ request — a moment of bipartisan scrutiny on a controversial federal health care program — comes just one month after a government investigation unearthed a continuing pattern of denials within Medicare Advantage.Advertisement In letters provided to STAT, Blumenthal and Hawley told executives at UnitedHealth Group, Humana, and CVS Health that recent findings by the Office of the Inspector General for the Health and Human Services Department undercut their companies’ claims to have reduced barriers to crucial medical services. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In Artificial intelligence, Congress, health tech, medicare advantage, patients, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Casey Ross Chief Investigative Reporter, Data & Technology Casey’s reporting examines the use of artificial intelligence by providers and insurers. Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended Health tech July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Swing Therapeutics acquired by medical VR platform XR Health Business July 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Hospital chain HCA warns of lower profits as more patients go uninsured Advertisement Health July 13, 2026 STAT Plus: Dementia study replicates promising outcomes following risk-reduction strategies Health Care Inc. Newsletter July 13, 2026 STAT Plus: UnitedHealth’s questionable review, and more MA stars lawsuits The Readout July 13, 2026 STAT Plus: All eyes on data on Biogen’s tau therapy Subscriber Picks