The global health care sector is under increasing strain due to chronic underinvestment and recruitment shortages. As a result, more than two-thirds of health-care providers have adopted agentic AI, which automates complex administrative tasks, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care.

Agentic AI differs from traditional digital technologies like EHRs and telehealth services in its ability to handle nuanced, complex scenarios autonomously. At Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), AI agents have reduced the appeals stage of insurance claims by 90% and completed them with 100% success, demonstrating significant efficiency gains.

However, the integration of AI into healthcare workflows requires careful consideration to ensure patient safety and trust. HSS has established an AI subcommittee to oversee decision-making processes, with a focus on multi-agent solutions that streamline end-to-end workflows.

The key takeaway is that agentic AI should not be seen as a narrow use case but as a general-purpose technology akin to electricity, which can transform entire systems when integrated across the enterprise. This approach could lead to significant improvements in patient care and efficiency, provided the necessary guardrails are put in place.