Katya Andresen, who has served as Cigna Group’s chief data, digital and AI officer since September 2021, argues that the industry should shift its focus from simply asking how to use artificial intelligence to how to lead in an era defined by it. This perspective moves beyond chasing individual tool functionalities toward measuring whether AI investments actually alter health outcomes.
Cigna has highlighted several recent initiatives aligned with this strategy. The company projects that AI and predictive analytics tools designed to help patients identify chronic conditions, such as cancer, kidney disease, and high-risk pregnancies, will save an estimated $200 million over the next three years. These tools work by proactively connecting patients with clinicians.
Additionally, Cigna announced a $100 million investment through 2028 aimed at reducing the time clinicians spend on documentation and accelerating the prescription process.
Another application involves improving patient understanding of biosimilars, which treat chronic diseases at a lower cost than biologics. While both are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, biosimilars are not exact matches to branded drugs because they are derived from living organisms. Cigna analyzed thousands of past customer conversations to create digital messaging that encouraged patients to switch to these cheaper alternatives.
Andresen stated that this campaign resulted in more than 80% of targeted patients opting for the biosimilar, generating significant savings for patients.
These cost-saving measures are significant for Cigna, which reported $275 billion in annual revenue and ranked 14th on the Fortune 500 list. The broader healthcare sector faces pressure as national spending exceeds $5 trillion annually, driven by chronic conditions, an aging population, and rising costs for hospital stays and new prescription drugs.
Andresen noted that patients are increasingly using AI chatbots to research health information, with a Gallup survey indicating that nearly six in ten adults use AI before doctor visits.
