Nearly half (43%) of medical practices in the U.S. have been using AI at work for over a year, with 36% of practicing physicians, nurses and IT professionals using it to transcribe patient notes.
In addition, several practices are using it for documentation requirements, reimbursement claims and as a virtual scribe.
“In the fast-paced world of ASCs, billing teams are constantly juggling coding changes, payer denials, prior authorizations and time-consuming appeals. Efficiency isn’t just nice to have — it’s survival,” Brooke Day, administrator at Silver Cross Surgery Center in New Lenox, Ill., told Becker’s. “That’s why ChatGPT has become one of the most useful tools we’ve brought into our workflow. It’s not just a novelty or a shortcut — it’s a real solution to one of our biggest time drains: payer communication.”
As physicians face growing amounts of burnout, lengthy documentation requirements are often cited as a key cause. With the help of AI, physicians can save time in the office and cut back on stress and workplace burdens.
AI technology, such as ambient listening, can help alleviate this burden by automatically transcribing patient-provider conversations and generating medical notes. This allows physicians to spend more time with patients and reduce the time spent on administrative tasks.
“Here’s the truth: if you’re not running out of data on the free plan every day, you’re not using it enough. ChatGPT can quickly draft high-quality appeal letters, medical necessity statements and payer communications with professional tone and coding accuracy. It won’t replace your knowledge or clinical documentation — but it amplifies your speed and clarity, which matters when you’re managing hundreds of claims and every dollar counts,” Ms. Day said.
“These are real life prompts I have used this week to assist with claims that have been denied:
‘Write an appeal letter for CPT 67121, denied as bundled with CPT 67041. Explain why 67121 (removal of silicone oil) is a separate service.’
‘Appeal letter for CPT 62323 denied for lack of medical necessity. Include LCD coverage and clinical indications.’
‘Write a medical necessity statement for CPT 41899 in an ASC for a patient with a mental health condition and obesity who cannot be treated in an office setting.’
‘Draft an email to Medicaid provider rep about ongoing denials for CPT 41899 despite correct use of a code on the fee schedule. Request a resolution path.’
This isn’t just about tech — it’s about protecting your team’s time, improving cash flow and giving your staff the tools they need to win against unnecessary denials. ChatGPT is here, and it’s working.”
It is becoming increasingly critical for ASCs to take advantage of AI tools available at their disposal, including ChatGPT. As ASCs continue in their “technology race,” practices using the technology are giving themselves a leg up.
While documentation and ambient listening are common at practices right now, several more uses for AI in operating rooms and beyond are coming down the pipe.
Leaders are also using AI for data analytics, to determine outcomes following surgeries, doing patient marketing, communications and outreach, and targeting revenue cycle management.
“If you’re in billing and not treating AI like your smartest, fastest coworker — you’re already falling behind,” Ms. Day said.
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