CMS calls off Shared Decision Making Model

CMS recently announced that it would not test its Shared Decision Making (SDM) Model due to a lack of participation from accountable care organizations (ACO). 

The SDM Model was designed to strengthen engagement between beneficiaries and providers. The model was intended to help meet several CMS goals, including improved care delivery, smarter healthcare spending, enhanced health of beneficiaries, and a focus on care that puts the beneficiary at the center of the picture.

The SDM Model served as one of CMS’ Beneficiary Engagement and Incentives (BEI) models. The other program under the BEI Model, the Direct Decision Support (DDS) Model, appears to be moving forward as planned. The DDS Model also seeks to improve beneficiary engagement, but focuses on decision support organizations rather than ACOs.

The SDM Model involved integrating a four-step decision making process into clinical practice at ACOs. It focused on six conditions, including stable ischemic heart disease, hip osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, herniated disk and spinal stenosis, clinically localized prostate cancer, and benign prostate hyperplasia. The model offered participating ACOs incentive dollars for services furnished by practitioners who used the model.