alternative,” Dr. Beall said, emphasizing that this is why experts should be consulted, and should use their expertise to advocate for their patients.
“The procedures that IRs do range from aiding comfort to saving lives,” he said. “No one knows these procedures better than they do and they can reach out to their government representatives, societies, and other advocacy groups to provide real world and reasonable information as to what happens when patients are denied various procedures.”
Additionally, Dr. Beall believes it will be crucial for the facilities where WISeR is implemented to provide feedback on how the model works, as well as data on when patients are treated or not.
“The CMS can try to limit certain procedures but there is no one better to know the impact of these limitations than IRs,” Dr. Beall said. “When this impact can be devastating and catastrophic for the patients and their families it is our duty to speak up.”
Speaking out Since the announcement of the WISeR model and SIR’s response, SIR has been
Have you navigated the WISeR model?
SIR wants to hear your experience and feedback.
working with members to communicate to Congress their concerns regarding both the WISeR program and the expansion of prior authorization in traditional Medicare.
In November, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations passed a bipartisan amendment that would halt funding for the implementation of the WISeR program; SIR joined 33 national physician specialty organizations
thanking the Committee for their support of physicians and patients on this issue. While that Appropriations legislation has not yet passed the House, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA- 01), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Ami Bera, MD (CA-06), Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act of 2025 (H.R. 5940) legislation to repeal the WISeR model entirely. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore), Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) followed with a Senate companion bill (S. 3480) in December of last year. Despite this legislative pressure, CMS proceeded to implement the WISeR model on Jan. 1.
SIR continues to advocate for the repeal of the WISeR model and legislation to prohibit CMS from implementing prior authorization in traditional Medicare, as well as similar legislative eff orts to curb the use of prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans.
16 IRQ | WINTER 2026
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