Re: “New Medicare program using AI leaves WA patients in pain” (March 18, Business):
Thanks to Jessica Fu for her informative article on “Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction,” the new Traditional Medicare pilot program in Washington, and to the courageous patients who shared their stories. Like all good articles, it raises more questions:
• WISeR already delays access to care by requiring prior authorizations and appeals of denials. Will it also eventually deny access to care due to the increased workload created for providers and staff? Not every office can afford to hire additional staff to meet the WISeR demands. Will access to care be dependent on the ability to pay out of pocket (if allowed by Medicare rules)?
• Could the WISeR pilot program be an attempt to privatize Traditional Medicare?
• How is Virtix Health, the tech company that provides AI (for at least the initial pre-authorization review) financially compensated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services? Are there parameters to be met?
We Medicare recipients can contact our elected representatives to voice our concerns. At least we know that’s always a WISe action to take.
Linnea Mulder, Sammamish
