Is an AI Listening In at Your Doctor’s Office? What Service Members and Veterans Need to Know
Adapted from Kim Komando, The Current Newsletter, April 23, 2026
Here’s something your doctor probably hasn’t mentioned — there may be an AI in the room with you.
At about one in three doctor’s offices across the country, an AI scribe is quietly recording your entire visit. Everything you say. Your symptoms, your medications, that random thing you mentioned because you were nervous. It transcribes the whole conversation and drafts the official note that goes into your medical record.
Tools like Nuance’s DAX Copilot, Abridge, Suki, and Epic’s system are spreading fast — and most patients have no idea it’s even happening.
The upside is real, honestly. Your doctor isn’t hunched over a keyboard anymore. You’re getting actual eye contact and a real conversation. Visits feel more human. That’s not nothing.
But here’s where it gets a little uncomfortable.
These AI systems aren’t perfect. They miss things, skip context, and sometimes include details that were never actually said. Your doctor is supposed to review the notes before anything is saved to your chart — but let’s be honest, not everyone has the time to read carefully.
That note ends up in your permanent medical record. Insurance companies can see it. Future doctors will read it. It could even end up with data brokers.
And your audio recording? That lives on the vendor’s servers. Some companies delete it fast. Some hold onto it to train their AI. Some won’t even tell you what they do with it. HIPAA protects your medical record — not necessarily the recording of your visit.
So next time you’re sitting in that exam room, just ask these four questions:
- Are you using an AI scribe today?
- What company is it, and do they keep the audio?
- Can I review the notes before they’re finalized?
- Can I opt out?
You don’t need anyone’s permission to ask. No federal law requires them to get your written consent, but nothing stops you from speaking up either. And if you get a vague non-answer? That tells you something, too. A good doctor will welcome the question.
It’s your medical record. You deserve to know who — or what — is writing it.
