Utah AI Chatbot Now Prescribing Psychiatric Medications

Utah has authorized Legion Health's AI chatbot to renew certain psychiatric prescriptions without a doctor, marking only the second such delegation of clinical authority to AI in the US. The $19/month service covers 15 lower-risk medications like Prozac and Zoloft, limited to stable patients with existing prescriptions. State officials claim the pilot could reduce costs and address mental health care shortages affecting 500,000 Utah residents. However, psychiatrists warn the system is opaque and risky, with some doubting it will meaningfully expand access to those most in need.