None the WISeR

GAO says CMS skipped a step. Add GAO procedural decisions to the list of things that derail prior authorization reform.

Our federal agencies really are taking some hits this week! Add to the pile a Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision finding that CMS skipped a step when it launched the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model earlier this year.

The short version: GAO published B-337994, responding to a December request from Senators Wyden (my guy), Murray, Blumenthal, and Gillibrand. The question: is the WISeR notice a "rule" under the Congressional Review Act? GAO's answer: yes, and HHS should have submitted it before letting the model take effect at the start of the year.