ASA Pushes for Revisions to Flawed WISeR Model Design

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) joined a coalition of leading surgical and specialty organizations in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to modify Medicare’s new Artificial Intelligence driven prior authorization program, the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, launched January 1, 2026. ASA emphasized the importance of clear communication, robust provider education, and consistent application of coverage criteria to ensure patient access to needed services and reduced administrative burden.

ASA and its partners called for detailed operational guidance, including code-specific breakdowns, transparent algorithms, and meaningful feedback mechanisms for providers. The coalition stressed that opaque decision-making processes—particularly those involving artificial intelligence—could undermine predictability and delay care. ASA advocated for safeguards such as clinician review of non-affirmations by board-certified specialists and timely audits to maintain integrity and fairness in prior authorization determinations.

In addition, ASA supported key refinements to the WISeR Model, including a “gold carding” pathway for high-performing providers, a six-month soft launch to minimize disruptions, and independent third-party evaluation to ensure credibility. By championing these measures, ASA continues its commitment to advancing patient access to safe, timely care while promoting policies that uphold clinical judgment and reduce unnecessary administrative complexity.