Medicare enrollees in Washington may soon need to get additional approval before undergoing some medical procedures, under a controversial new program the federal government will test in a half-dozen states.

The 6-year pilot program begins Jan. 1 in Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, and will rely on artificial intelligence to help decide whether certain care is eligible for coverage.

It’ll be voluntary for doctors to participate, but critics still see the initiative as a sign of the Trump administration creeping toward Medicare privatization and are unsettled by the use of AI.

“This just is unfortunate and surprising news,” said Dr. Matt Hollon, of the Washington State Medical Association. “Patients expect their care to be guided by doctors, not insurance compan

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