Use of Patient-Centered Outcomes in ICER Assessments

This technical report examines the role of patient-centered outcomes (PCOs) in the value assessment processes conducted by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). It outlines the increasing expectation for healthcare stakeholders, particularly health technology manufacturers, to demonstrate the value of their treatments through various lenses, including clinical effectiveness and economic impact. The report highlights that while ICER has made efforts to integrate patient input into its assessments, the actual incorporation of PCOs remains limited and often does not influence the quantitative evaluations of value. The analysis reviews four specific disease assessments to evaluate the extent of PCO integration and identifies significant gaps in how patient preferences and outcomes are accounted for. The findings suggest that current methodologies may not adequately capture the nuances of patient experiences and preferences, underscoring the need for more patient-centered approaches in healthcare decision-making. Recommendations for future research and development of flexible modeling approaches to better align assessments with patient needs are also discussed.