Moscow is the first city in Russia to cover AI review of radiographic images under MHI

Starting next year, Moscow is going to cover radiography image AI analysis under mandatory health insurance (MHI). It was announced by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Moscow Mayor for Social Development.

“Use of artificial intelligence is something we are very interested in. Moscow’s making strides in that direction. Starting next year, we’ll be the first in the country to introduce a special rate for AI analysis of radiography images into our MHI plans. That will conclude the first stage of machine vision introduction into medical practice and healthcare routine,” said Ms. Rakova.

Mammographic image analysis will be the first to be included in the MHI coverage. In the past, services like that were used as an experiment in medical machine vision in Moscow. They have already proven to be effective. The latest proposal will help implement those technologies broadly into practical healthcare in order to cut dependence on grant support. Those reviews will still be provided to Muscovites free of charge; using modern smart algorithms will improve diagnostic time and accuracy. That’s a big step not only for Moscow, but for entire Russia.

Right now, about 40 AI services help radiologists review images in 17 medical fields. Neural networks mark the images up and measure them. Doctors then can review both original scans and AI-processed images. Neural networks already help doctors recognize symptoms of lung cancer, COVID-19, spine osteoporosis, thoracic aortic aneurysm, coronary heart disease, stroke, lung hypertension, hydrothorax, find breast cancer, lung pathology and many other health conditions.

Moscow has been actively working on healthcare digitalization for 10 years. Experimental use of computer vision technology in healthcare was launched by the Moscow Social Development Complex together with the Department of Information Technologies at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine. The center has become a venue for developing AI technologies in Russia. AI services are integrated into a unified radiological information service of the Unified Medical Information and Analytical System. About 150 healthcare institutions in Moscow, including pediatric ones, are using innovation technologies now.

My Polyclinic, a city-wide professional forum, is taking place at Gostiny Dvor on December 15–17. It’s focused on outpatient services development and achievements in that field. Its business program features over 15 discussions and expert talks for professional and research communities, medical school students and interns, as well as public servants. Over 80 leading healthcare experts from Moscow and other Russian regions are going to attend the forum: doctors and leading clinic managers, scientists, heads or relevant ministries and departments. Moscow Social Development Complex organizes the event.