Every patient receiving an implantable cardioverters defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention will be required to have an encounter for shared decision-making using an evidence-based decision tool, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ICDs are often implanted in patients with chronic heart failure whose life expectancy is limited and whose quality of life tends to decline as their heart failure worsens.

CMS released a final decision memo for changes to the national coverage determination (NCD) for ICDs last Friday during American Heart Month. Reporting on this breaking news is Ronald Hirsch, MD, a RACmonitor contributing editor and the vice president of the Regulations and Education Group at R1 Physician Advisory Services.

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