AI-powered ambient listening tools are gaining traction in healthcare, but cost remains a key concern, The Wall Street Journal reported May 27.
Most health systems license or subscribe to the technology, with monthly fees ranging from $200 to $600 per physician. The long-term financial impact on healthcare costs, however, is still uncertain, according to the report.
Mark Weisman, MD, CIO and CMIO of Salisbury, Md.-based TidalHealth, echoed similar concerns to Becker’s. He said the cost of generative AI tools in healthcare remains steep, even as more vendors enter the space.
“There’s still a high cost in this space, even with growing competition — so much so that vendors are starting to cannibalize their own,” Dr. Weisman said.
However, he noted that some of the larger companies are beginning to adjust their pricing strategies.
“We’re seeing some of the larger players become more competitive on price because they’re focused on gaining market share,” he said. “They understand now that switching is difficult. Once a provider becomes comfortable with an AI tool, they’re unlikely to want to change.”
