Senator says Medicare AI prior authorization pilot delays care; documents point to a rushed launch
Patty Murray says the federal pilot covering six states, including Washington, uses AI to delay and deny care for Medicare patients. New documents show the program, called WISeR, which launched in January and requires providers to seek prior authorization, was started in haste and is beset by problems.
Who is affected and how
- doctor
- In WISeR states, physicians should prepare for AI-based review of prior authorization requests and for appealing denials.
- hospital manager
- Authorization delays and denials put patient pathways and revenue at risk, and should be tracked.
- health policy
- The pilot's flaws and political pressure may push toward tighter oversight of AI use in Medicare.
Sources
- The feds are using AI to deny care to WA seniors, Sen. Murray sayskuow.org · Oct 9, 2026
- Trump admin using AI to deny medical care for seniors in disastrous experimentarstechnica.com · Oct 10, 2026
- Medicare's AI prior authorization pilot was rushed and full of problems, new documents revealstatnews.com · Oct 10, 2026
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