ASA Joins Coalition Expressing Concerns with WISeR Model

The American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), alongside 22 other leading surgical and specialty organizations, has signed a formal statement to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns about the proposed Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model. This six-year demonstration project would significantly expand prior authorization requirements within the Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) program—an approach that ASA and its coalition partners believe may threaten patient access to timely care, increases administrative burdens on physicians, and undermines the Administration’s stated goals of reducing paperwork and promoting innovation.

The statement outlines several critical concerns with the WISeR Model, including its reliance on third-party vendors who would be financially incentivized to deny claims, the lack of transparency in vendor decision-making processes, and the absence of meaningful exemptions for physicians who consistently comply with Medicare coverage rules. ASA is particularly concerned that anesthesiologists, including pain medicine physicians, and other specialists will face increased hurdles in delivering medically necessary services, with no additional payment for the time and resources required to navigate the new system. The coalition urges CMS to consider alternative safeguards that protect program integrity without compromising care delivery.

ASA remains committed to advocating for policies that support high-quality, patient-centered care and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens. By signing onto this statement, ASA reinforces its position that reforms to Medicare must prioritize access, transparency, and clinical integrity.