Trump Administration Pilots AI in Medicare Amid Operational Concerns and Document Pushback

The Trump administration launched a pilot program in January that uses artificial intelligence to authorize or deny certain types of care for patients enrolled in Medicare. This program introduces prior authorization where none was previously required. The Electronic Frontier Foundation released federal documents about the program, called WISeR, which detailed issues including technical difficulties, long decision delays, and puzzling denials. Lawmakers sought answers, but Republicans voted down efforts to compel the administration to release more information.

The program is facing scrutiny, including a determination by the Government Accountability Office that Trump officials did not follow proper procedure in its setup, casting its legality into question. The released documents included feedback from healthcare providers, some of whom criticized the program's implementation. The program is reportedly moving ahead with plans for future expansion.