When I booked my colonoscopy in Germany, I thought it would be just another medical appointment covered by insurance. But after the procedure, I was handed a 25€ bill—because the public health system didn’t fully cover it.
At first, I was confused. Isn’t that what insurance is for? Then the nurse calmly explained: the extra charge was for AI-assisted analysis. It wasn’t mandatory, but it was strongly recommended. Why? Because the AI could catch things the human eye might miss. And it did.
A Real-Life Lifesaver Hiding in the Fine Print
That small, unexpected cost ended up changing the way I think about medicine.
During my colonoscopy, a tiny camera snaked through my colon while the AI software analyzed the live video feed in real time. It wasn’t loud or dramatic—just a quiet machine doing its job. But when it spotted a polyp the doctor hadn’t noticed, it flagged it instantly.
The doctor removed it right then. “It was very small,” he told me, “but these are the ones we don’t want to miss.”
I left that appointment with more than a receipt. I left with peace of mind.
Why Early Detection Matters More Than You Think
Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers—but only if it’s caught early. Polyps often turn into cancer slowly, over years. You don’t feel them. You don’t know they’re there. That’s why screenings are essential.
AI doesn’t replace your doctor. It simply gives them superpowers. It never blinks, never gets tired, and doesn’t overlook patterns like we do. According to real studies, including one published in iGIE (Vol. 2, No. 3, September 2023), AI can increase polyp detection rates dramatically.
So yes—25€ felt like an annoying surprise at first. But when I think about what it may have prevented, I consider it one of the best deals of my life.
You can also read: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10517562/
The Human Side of Smart Medicine
Nobody likes medical procedures. Colonoscopy especially sounds terrifying if you’ve never done one. But the truth is, it’s not painful. You’re usually sedated. The discomfort is mostly psychological—fear of results, of diagnosis, or of the unknown.
But what if the unknown had a backup system that saw what we can’t?
That’s what AI brings to medicine today. It enhances—not replaces—human skill. It doesn’t make decisions, but it makes smarter ones possible.
And for people like me, it makes the difference between worry and relief.
So, Should You Pay Extra for AI Support?
If you’re ever asked to pay a little more for AI-assisted diagnostics, here’s my honest advice: say yes. You’re not just buying a tech feature. You’re buying clarity, early warning, and in some cases, a longer life.
Not every country covers it. Not every insurance plan will mention it. But in my case, that little “not covered” line item might’ve been the most valuable part of the entire visit.
Read more: https://promptradarai.com/ai-in-farming-the-future-of-smart-agriculture/
