An American engineer based in the Philippines is calling for wider use of AI-assisted medical billing tools after using his own system to review charges from a recent hospital admission in Cebu.
Wesley Oscar Kronick, who was confined at Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue, said the experience showed how difficult it is for ordinary patients to understand itemized medical bills and documentation without technical assistance.
Kronick said many patients, especially those paying out of pocket, struggle to interpret medical codes, timelines of procedures, abbreviations, and billing entries. He noted that Philippine law entitles patients to request copies of their medical records and itemized billing, but the process often requires formal requests and follow-up, which can be overwhelming for individuals unfamiliar with medical or administrative procedures.
Concerns about unclear medical pricing have been raised in the Philippines before. Government health and trade agencies have reported large price variations for common medical items and medicines across hospitals and clinics, prompting repeated calls for stronger transparency measures. Past public reports have also documented patient complaints over billing disputes and inconsistencies in hospital charges.
Separately, the Commission on Audit has flagged public agencies for purchasing medical supplies at prices higher than typical market rates, indicating broader issues surrounding pricing oversight in the healthcare sector.
Kronick said AI can bridge many of these gaps by giving patients automated tools that break down complex billing information into an understandable format. His system analyzes each line item in a hospital bill, checks whether the timing of charges aligns with medical notes, translates clinical terminology into plain language, detects potential duplicates, and compares the prices of medicines and supplies with standard references.
The tool also helps users generate formal document requests when supporting records are missing or unclear. He said the purpose is not to dispute hospital practices but to make billing review more accessible.
The tool is offered through his company Expert AI and Optimization Lab and is available at www.eol.ph. The platform provides AI-assisted billing audits, medication price checks, automated document support, and workflow tools designed to help patients understand and verify their healthcare expenses.
Kronick said technology can help people exercise their right to complete medical documentation without needing specialized knowledge in medicine or health administration.
