The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ WISeR (Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction) model, an AI-driven prior-authorization program for traditional Medicare that launched in mid-January 2026, introduced mandatory pre-approval requirements that had not previously existed for certain procedures. At the University of Washington’s medical system alone, nearly 100 patients were left waiting for epidural injection procedures pending AI-driven authorization review. Patients and providers nationwide reported new delays and denials for care that had not required prior approval before the program began.