ASA Joins Medical Organizations in Applauding Congressional Action to Pause WISeR Model

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and a broad coalition of over 30 physician organizations commended the House Appropriations Committee for unanimously adopting a bipartisan amendment to halt funding for the Medicare Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model – a program scheduled to be implemented January 1, 2026. The organizations support a pause in implementation of the model to address significant concerns about introducing prior authorization into Medicare fee-for-service without adequate safeguards.

The coalition’s formal statement to Committee leadership, Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), the author of the amendment, and Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD), a key supporter, emphasizes the need for stakeholder engagement, transparency, and strong guardrails to protect patient access and clinical judgment. Recommendations include delaying implementation, assessing administrative burden, eliminating vendor financial incentives to deny care and requiring a robust gold-carding programs for compliant physicians. The recommendations are put forth in lieu of alternative approaches under considered by Medicare, including post payment reviews of targeted services, coverage and payment denials and payment “claw backs.”