The legislation introduced in Congress to block or repeal the Medicare Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model is known as the Seniors Deserve SMARTER (Streamlined Medical Approvals for Timely, Efficient Recovery) Care Act.
WISeR Model Overview
- Program Goal: A 6-year federal pilot running from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2031, testing technology-enabled prior authorization for traditional Medicare in six states, including Texas.
- Target Services: Outpatient services prone to high utilization or unnecessary care, such as certain spinal procedures, nerve stimulators, and joint treatments.
- Contact & Help: For official inquiries regarding the federal model, contact CMS at 844-711-2664 (Option 8) or email [email protected]. For general Texas Medicare assistance, call the state help line at 800-252-9240.
Legislative Pushback
- The Bill: Introduced by lawmakers to repeal WISeR due to concerns over private vendor structures and the use of automated or AI-driven tools in coverage decisions. [1]
- Committee Action: Congressional committees have advanced measures and votes aimed at blocking or defunding the implementation of the pilot.