July 1 : Cigna said on Wednesday its health services unit Evernorth has launched a new AI-powered specialty pharmacy program to reduce the time it takes to process prescriptions and improve customer service. The program, called Pharmacy Forward, is supported by a $100 million investment through 2028, the health insurer said. Here are more details: • The company is launching the AI program first through its specialty pharmacy, Accredo. • The program uses AI to integrate clinical data and insights, generate summaries to free up more time for clinicians to focus on patient care. • ‘Pharmacy Forward’ is expected to reduce clinician documentation time by up to 50 per cent, the company said. • The program uses AI to improve prior authorization requests, halving the time it takes for patients to receive their medication after Accredo receives a prescription, the company said. • Health insurers are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence tools to streamline documentation processes, reduce administrative burdens and lower costs. • Accredo is also expanding capacity, staffing, and capabilities at many of its nearly …