Cigna’s PXDX algorithm allegedly enabled physicians to deny 300,000 claims in two months by reviewing them for an average of 1.2 seconds each.
The PXDX system matched diagnosis-procedure pairs against historical patterns and pre-populated denial decisions. Physicians allegedly signed off on the AI’s recommendations without individual review. ProPublica reported that reviewing physicians spent an average of 1.2 seconds per case. The system processed 300,000 denials in a two-month period.
time per claim
in two months
per claim
1.2 seconds is not human review. It is a rubber stamp on an automated denial. AVAAS evaluates whether the human-in-the-loop is genuine or performative. A system where the physician approval step takes less time than reading the patient’s name does not pass certification on the oversight dimension.
This entry is one of 37 documented cases in the AVAAS evidence ledger, a public record of AI and automated-system failures with a verified source on every entry.
Every case here reached a person.
AVAAS certifies how AI systems behave at the decision point, with documented third-party evidence of conformity to a published standard.
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