Medicare AI Pre-Authorization, Tax Refund Mistakes

Key takeaways

• How to benefit from Medicare’s new AI pilot that aims to speed up coverage decisions for key treatments.
• Stay alert to possible delays or denials, as groups warn AI decisions may impact care access.
• Accelerate tax refunds by e-filing, using direct deposit, and checking forms for common filing mistakes.

Summary

Medicare AI pre-authorization is now being tested to streamline how Medicare determines coverage for services, equipment and supplies. In a new six-year pilot program, Medicare will partner with technology companies to use artificial intelligence for making faster, data-driven decisions on 15 types of treatments, such as knee arthroscopies and electrical nerve stimulator implants. While this promises more efficiency, groups like AARP caution that relying on AI may risk delays or denials of care, so beneficiaries should stay informed on how these changes could impact their access to treatments.

Meanwhile, tax refund mistakes can easily hold up your refund this tax season. Filing too early without all your forms — like 1099s or W-2s — sending paperwork to the wrong IRS center, or minor errors in your filing details can all result in longer waiting times. To get your refund as quickly as possible, file electronically and opt for direct deposit, as the IRS notes e-filed returns are typically processed within 21 days, while paper filings may take a month or more.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full Transcript

[00:00:03] Under a Medicare pilot program, AI will help determine whether original Medicare covers certain services, equipment and supplies.
[00:00:12] Under the 6-year program, Medicare will work with tech companies to help make coverage decisions on 15 services.
[00:00:19] Millions of beneficiaries across 6 states will need AI approval for treatments like knee arthroscopies and electrical nerve
[00:00:27] stimulator implants to block pain. AARP and others worry the AI systems could cause delays or deny care to cut costs.
[00:00:38] Recent studies show participants with muscle loss were more likely to have brain shrinkage. As muscle mass declines
[00:00:45] with age, the gaps around organs can fill with visceral fat, which is linked to higher dementia risk.
[00:00:52] Older adults can prevent muscle loss with strength training. Simple filing mistakes could delay your tax refund.
[00:01:01] Filing too early can mean missing key forms, like 1099s or W-2s,
[00:01:06] leading to slower processing. Sending paperwork to the wrong IRS processing center and other small
[00:01:14] mistakes can also hold up returns. The IRS says electronic returns with direct deposits can arrive
[00:01:21] in about 21 days, while a paper return can take 4 weeks or more.