TechPolitics
New Records Obtained by EFF Expose More Problems with Medicare’s AI Experiment
Publication: Deeplinks
Authors: Lena Cohen, Matthew Guariglia
Source published: 27/10/2026, 19:05:42 UTC
Briefing created: 28/10/2026, 00:25:28 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 27/10/2026, 18:20:25 UTC.
Briefings
EFF obtained new records revealing that CMS launched the WISeR AI program six months after announcing it, ignoring provider warnings about delays. The program resulted in rushed rollouts, vendor complaints about inaccurate denials and slow response times, and a lack of transparency regarding AI safeguards. The documents show CMS sent multiple requests for corrective action plans to four of six vendors, highlighting systemic issues rather than isolated failures. Public access to these records is limited by redacted vendor information and the government's concealment of safeguards.
Key points
- CMS launched the WISeR program six months after announcing it, ignoring calls from medical providers to delay its rollout.
- The program resulted in widespread problems including inaccurate denials, slow determination turnaround times, and a lack of adequate customer service across multiple vendors.
Context
EFF sued the government in March for information about the WISeR model, a Medicare program using AI to evaluate prior authorization requests. Previously released records showed delays and denials, but new documents reveal the program was rushed and rocky from the start, contributing to operational chaos and potential patient harm.
Limitations
Records are limited to documents obtained through EFF's lawsuit, including RFIs, CAPs, and vendor responses. Some vendor information is redacted, and the extent of public knowledge about AI safeguards remains unclear due to government concealment.
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