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In an recent article on this topic from the Ohio News Room, Ohio Medicare patients now need approval for certain procedures – from artificial intelligence, OSMA CEO, Todd Baker expressed:
Complete Story
02/12/2026
OSMA Advocates for Medical Decisions Made by Physicians, Not Algorithms
As AI is increasingly used in prior authorization—most recently through CMS’s WISeR model, Ohio physicians are facing yet another layer of administrative burden. While these tools are positioned as efficiency solutions, in practice they risk increasing delays, appeals, and paperwork, particularly for complex patients who do not fit standardized algorithms.
Prior authorization already contributes significantly to physician burnout. When AI flags a case, the responsibility to justify medically appropriate care still falls on physicians, pulling time and resources away from patient care.
OSMA believes physicians must remain at the center of medical decision-making, not algorithms. Technology should support clinical judgment, not override it or create opaque barriers to care. Ohio Medicare says human doctors will still make the final decisions, but the artificial intelligence will conduct the first screening step.
In an recent article on this topic from the Ohio News Room, Ohio Medicare patients now need approval for certain procedures – from artificial intelligence, OSMA CEO, Todd Baker expressed:
“Anytime you add a layer into the process of having to get approval to deliver care to someone, that can slow down the process. It has the potential to add layers of administrative hassle, burden.”
OSMA is actively engaged on both education and advocacy on these concerns. We recently hosted a WISeR-focused webinar to help physicians understand and navigate these changes, and we continue to support legislation that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and physician oversight, including:
• HB 214 – Prior Authorization Gold Card
(Rep. Kevin Miller, R-Newark)
• HB 220 – Prior Authorization Simplification
(Rep. Heidi Workman, R-Rootstown)
• SB 164 – Transparency in Health Plan Use of AI
(Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield)
(Rep. Kevin Miller, R-Newark)
• HB 220 – Prior Authorization Simplification
(Rep. Heidi Workman, R-Rootstown)
• SB 164 – Transparency in Health Plan Use of AI
(Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield)
• HB 579 – Regulate Use of AI by Health Insurers
Companion bill to SB 164
(Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland)
Companion bill to SB 164
(Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland)
OSMA will continue to advocate for all Ohio physicians on these and other advocacy efforts to ensure innovation in health care strengthens, not undermines, physician-led care.