Ars Technica reports failures in Trump administration’s Medicare AI pilot

The Trump administration launched WISeR in January as a pilot using artificial intelligence and machine learning to require prior authorization for about a dozen Medicare services, including some treatments for pain, wounds, and incontinence. The program covers six states and is scheduled to run through the end of 2031. Ars Technica reports that federal documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation during litigation record technical difficulties, delays, puzzling denials, and patients waiting for care in pain.

The rollout was reportedly rushed. Innovaccer asked for a delay and temporarily configured its system to automatically approve requests; Zyter faced data discrepancies for months involving Part A and Part B coverage, according to the documents. The Government Accountability Office determined in May that officials had not followed proper procedures in establishing the program. Lawmakers are seeking more documents and trying to halt WISeR, but Republicans rejected one effort; the program nevertheless appears to be moving forward with plans for expansion.