RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

21 October 2026

Large language models suggest more tests, referrals and medications than human physicians do, driving up the cost of care.

More than 80% of US physicians say they use artificial-intelligence models in providing care. Credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty

Clinical-care plans suggested by large language models (LLMs) are three times as costly as those implemented by human physicians.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-03320-8

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