AI Scribes – The Hidden Cost of Progress

AI scribes promise to free physicians from endless documentation, but who really pays the price? In this episode, Andrew examines the double-edged nature of tools from companies like Abridge and Ambience. On one hand, they capture more accurate notes and give doctors back precious face-to-face time. On the other, they can drive higher bills, adding yet another layer of cost in an already strained healthcare system. Through candid physician voices, we explore the ethical trade-offs: better charts versus bigger charges, efficiency versus equity, and whether patients would ever accept higher costs for more attention in the exam room. At the heart of it all is a simple question: are AI scribes making medicine better—or just more expensive?