Trump Administration Launches AI-Powered Medicare Prior Authorization Program Despite Bipartisan Concerns
Summary
Trump administration launches controversial AI-powered Medicare prior authorization program called WISeR in six states starting January 2026, using algorithms to approve or deny medical procedures like knee surgeries and implants, sparking bipartisan opposition from lawmakers and doctors who fear delayed care and lack of transparency in automated healthcare decisions.
Key Points
- The Trump administration launches a pilot program called WISeR starting January 1, 2026, that uses AI algorithms to make prior authorization decisions for Medicare patients in six states through 2031
- The program expands prior authorization requirements to traditional Medicare, which historically avoided such practices, targeting procedures like skin substitutes, nerve stimulator implants, and knee arthroscopy deemed vulnerable to fraud and waste
- Politicians from both parties, doctors, and policy experts express concerns about potential care delays and denials, questioning the lack of transparency and oversight in the AI decision-making process