The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services this week unveiled two new models to promote shared decision-making among providers and patients.

According to CMS, these two “Beneficiary Engagement and Incentive Models” will test different approaches to shared decision-making, acknowledging that patients make decisions regarding treatment options in a variety of ways. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation will study the effectiveness of the two different models.

The new models are:

• The Shared Decision Making Model, which will test a specific approach to integrate a structured four-step shared decision-making process into the clinical practice of healthcare providers who are participating accountable care organizations. The shared decision-making process is a collaboration between the beneficiary and the practitioner.
• The Direct Decision Support Model, which will test an approach provided outside of the clinical delivery system by an organization that provides health management and decision support services. The decision support organization will not interfere with the practitioner-patient relationship, but encourage it.