The Trump administration plans to launch a pilot program next year to test how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to approve or deny medical procedures for Medicare patients. Starting January 1, 2026, the program will run through 2031 in six states: Arizona, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington. The initiative, called the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, aims to reduce spending by identifying and denying low-value services.

The program will expand the use of prior authorization, a process that requires insurance approval before certain medical services can proceed. This practice, commonly used by private insurers, has faced criticism for causing delays and denying necessary care. The pilot will apply AI algorithms to assess procedures like s

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