Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) announced it has opened its TriZetto Unify platform to AI agents, starting with electronic prior authorization services. The company introduced a headless API model that allows AI agents to access the platform as first-tier consumers alongside human users.

The new system addresses prior authorization bottlenecks in U.S. healthcare. According to the American Medical Association, 95% of physicians report that prior authorization delays access to necessary care, with physicians and staff spending an average of 13 hours weekly completing requests.

"This is the first move in opening our healthcare platforms to a new kind of consumer," said Prasad Sankaran, President of Cognizant AI Products and Platforms. "AI agents are increasingly joining human users in enterprise workflows, and for regulated industries like healthcare, that requires a platform that is policy-governed, auditable and built on industry-standard healthcare interoperability protocols."

The electronic prior authorization solution introduces three API resources aligned with HL7 FHIR interoperability specifications. These cover confirming whether prior authorization is required, identifying required documentation, and submitting requests. The system maintains human oversight for clinical decisions while allowing AI agents to handle administrative tasks.

Cognizant faces regulatory pressure from the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule, which requires payer compliance beginning in 2026 and electronic prior authorization API mandates taking effect in 2027.

TriZetto platforms currently support more than 200 million healthcare members in the United States and process more than $500 billion in annual healthcare spending across claims, eligibility, prior authorization and payment integrity workflows. Cognizant plans to extend AI agent access across the broader TriZetto Unify platform over the coming year.