Effective Jan. 1, 2026, original/traditional Medicare is testing prior approvals on selected procedures. The test is supposed to last six years.

"The federal government plans to hire private companies to use artificial intelligence to determine whether patients would be covered for some procedures, like certain spine surgeries or steroid injections."
...
"Medicare plans to pay the A.I. companies a share of the savings generated from rejections."
...
"The program, called the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Model (Wiser), is already drawing opposition from Democratic lawmakers, former Medicare officials, physician groups and others."

Residents in the following six states will be included in the initial rollout: Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington.

"New Medicare Changes in 2026: Prior Approval Required for These 17 Services", but not limited to.

From Clevelan.com How to prepare for Medicare’s new prior authorization program in Ohio. The article includes "Places to contact for help."

"The new Medicare initiative would apply to claims for procedures such as steroid injections for pain management, electrical nerve stimulator implants, skin and tissue substitutes, devices for incontinence control, cervical fusion, knee arthroscopy, and treatment for impotence", but not limited to.