Kaiser Permanente accused of using algorithm without doctor oversight for mental‑health assessments

The National Union of Health Workers filed a complaint with California regulators alleging that Kaiser Permanente’s virtual‑care tool evaluates patients who report anxiety or depression using an automated questionnaire and instantly generates care recommendations without real‑time review by a licensed clinician. The union says the tool directs patients to virtual therapy, health‑education classes or self‑care apps, which it claims violates state law.

Union representative therapist Ilana Marcucci‑Morris testified before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, stating that artificial‑intelligence algorithms cannot replace professional clinical judgment. The Department of Managed Health Care noted this is the first union complaint against a health plan for alleged AI use in mental‑health care. Kaiser Permanente did not attend the hearing.