The WISeR Model: What Seniors Need to Know About Prior Authorization

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:00]If you've ever been left waiting on a test, a new medication, or a procedure because your plan needed to give the green light first, you know how frustrating that pause in care can be.

[00:00:10]And we hear these stories from seniors all the time. It slows things down, it's confusing, and it often leaves you wondering, "What's taking so long?"

[00:00:19]Most of the time, that hold up comes from something called a prior authorization.

[00:00:25]It's become a growing concern in today's Medicare world, especially for people on Medicare Advantage plans. And even in original Medicare, some services can get tangled up in unnecessary reviews.

[00:00:38]That's why Medicare is introducing something new in 2026 called the wiser model.

[00:00:43]Wiser is being tested to help reduce wasteful services in the Medicare system and improve the way certain medical reviews are handled.

[00:00:53]Let's start with the basics. Prior authorization is the approval your doctor may need before you can move forward with certain tests or treatments.

[00:01:01]It's meant to make sure care is appropriate, but many people on Medicare tell us it is often leading to delays and confusion. The wiser model aims to modernize this review process for a select group of services in original Medicare.

[00:01:16]It's important to understand because it focuses on improving safety, speeding up decisions, and reducing misuse of certain procedures.

[00:01:24]So, what exactly does wiser do? Well, it stands for wasteful and inappropriate service reduction.

[00:01:31]It uses enhanced technology, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and human clinical review to help Medicare spot services that may or may not be medically necessary or may be posing risk if used incorrectly. Think of it like a stop sign on the road. You can get where you're going, but you may have to wait until someone waves you through.

[00:01:53]The wiser model is Medicare's attempt to shorten that wait and make sure the care you receive is safe and truly needed.

[00:02:01]Here are the key goals of the wiser model.

[00:02:05]Help reduce wasteful or low-value services.

[00:02:09]Lower spending in original Medicare by avoiding medically unsupported care.

[00:02:16]Speed up decision-making.

[00:02:18]Hopefully earlier in the claims process.

[00:02:21]And ease administrative burden for providers.

[00:02:25]It will also improve transparency around Medicare's coverage rules. And reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in specific high-risk services.

[00:02:35]So, what does this mean for your original Medicare coverage? Well, if you're in Medicare Advantage, wiser does not affect your plan. You will continue to get coverage and any required prior authorizations through your Medicare Advantage carrier just as you do today.

[00:02:52]But, if you're on original Medicare with a Medigap plan, however, and you live in one of the six states where wiser is being tested, some of your services may be subject to review. And this is because original Medicare pays providers based on the number of services delivered, not necessarily whether those services are always needed. So, wiser focuses on a small group of services that have a history of waste or limited clinical benefit for certain patients.

[00:03:20]Examples include skin and tissue substitutes, electrical nerve stimulator implants, and knee arthroscopy for knee osteoarthritis.

[00:03:28]When these services are used inappropriately, they can impact people financially through unnecessary out-of-pocket costs. And they can also impact people physically through risks like infection or complications. And emotionally by potentially causing anxiety about undergoing procedures they may or may not need.

[00:03:45]This model will run from January 1st of 2026 to December 31st of 2031 in six states, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington.

[00:03:57]The biggest thing about this is that it does not apply to emergency care, inpatient only services, or anything that would pose a substantial risk to patients if delayed.

[00:04:07]Times are changing and Medicare is changing with them, but one thing that has not changed at all, seniors still need someone they can count on when the red tape gets in the way of real care.

[00:04:19]If you have ever run into a denied claim or a complicated prior authorization issue, you don't have to handle any of it alone again. Our client service team of humans steps in every single day to help our clients get the care they need without drowning in all of that paperwork.

[00:04:37]We help track down prior authorizations.

[00:04:41]We also fight denials.

[00:04:44]We can coordinate with your doctors and we also speak to your insurance company for you.

[00:04:51]My brother and I built this company on serving people the way we'd want our own families to be served.

[00:04:57]And Medicare is complicated enough without all that.

[00:05:02]You should never feel like you're navigating Medicare all by yourself. So, let me know your thoughts below on this.

[00:05:09]Do you live in one of the six states that will be affected by the new wiser model?

[00:05:14]I'm interested in hearing what you all have to say and what your concerns may be.

[00:05:19]And if you want to learn more about what Medicare covers, watch this video next.