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House Appropriations Committee Votes to Defund WISeR AI Prior Authorization Pilot

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11

Why it matters

The House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to strip funding for WISeR, a CMS pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to impose prior authorization requirements on traditional Medicare beneficiaries. The committee adopted an amendment to the FY 2027 HHS appropriations bill that prohibits the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from spending federal dollars on WISeR or any similar prior authorization model targeting traditional Medicare. The vote represents the first formal legislative action against the program, which CMS launched last year as a six-year Innovation Model beginning January 1, 2026.

The amendment is not yet law. It must clear the full House and Senate before becoming binding. Until then, WISeR remains active in participating states, and providers must continue complying with its requirements while processing appeals of denied claims. The specific language of the appropriations bill and any amendments from the Senate remain subject to negotiation.

Attorneys representing Medicare providers and beneficiaries should monitor the bill's progress through the full legislative process. Even if the amendment passes both chambers, CMS may attempt to continue or modify the program through alternative funding mechanisms or regulatory authority. Providers currently subject to WISeR requirements should document all denials and appeals now, as this legislative action could provide grounds for retroactive relief or class action exposure depending on how the program ultimately concludes. The outcome will signal whether Congress intends to restrict AI-assisted prior authorization more broadly across federal health programs.

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