Utah Launches Pilot for AI-Prescribed Mental Health Meds, Limited to Low-Risk Refills

Legion Health, a U.S. healthcare provider, recently got regulatory approval in Utah to launch a pilot program allowing AI to prescribe mental health medications. The program uses an AI chatbot from Doctronic, but only for low-risk drugs like sertraline (Zoloft) and refills of existing prescriptions—addictive drugs are excluded.

Patients need to answer 15 questions about mood, health status, and side effects, with a $20 service fee. Utah's AI Policy Office says automating these processes lets doctors focus more on patient care and reduce delays. The system will be doctor-reviewed initially but this step will be phased out.

Psychiatric experts have concerns: a Harvard professor notes AI may not grasp the complex context of patients' medication use. Regulators will evaluate the pilot over a year, while Legion Health plans to expand to other U.S. states soon.