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Market access for medical technologies in Denmark

A brief overview of key market access pathways and challenges for medical devices, in-vitro diagnostic tests in Denmark

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Key topics

There are three key themes describing market access for medical technologies in Denmark: 

  • Reimbursement: payment mechanism via the DRG-adjusted budget system
  • Funding: national recommendations from the Health Technology Council
  • Health technology assessment: obtaining recommendations from the national and local HTA bodies
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Reimbursement

Denmark uses the Danish DRG system, but hospital revenue from the DRGs accounts for only about 20%. Hospital care is predominantly funded via a global budget mechanism, which is mostly calculated based on actual costs incurred by the hospitals (differences in calculation methodology among regions may exist). 

However, all inter-regional care is reimbursed on a case-by-case basis via the DRG system. Therefore, the role of DRG is higher for procedures, which are concentrated only in several hospitals across the country and which provide care for patients from other Danish regions. 

DRGs are determined by the combination of a procedure code (SKS) and a diagnosis code (ICD-10). The SKS nomenclature and the Danish DRG system are maintained by the Health Data Authority. 

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Funding

Denmark has no nationally defined list of health benefits which are guaranteed to the Danish population. Decisions on which treatment methods to use and which new technologies to introduce are made by the hospitals.

Danish regions have a system to collaborate on the introduction of medical technologies and to enable equal access, cost-effective and efficient use of medical technologies in the country. In this framework, technologies are evaluated on the national level by the Health Technology Council, which provides recommendations for the adoption of novel technologies to payers (Regions) and healthcare providers. 

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Health technology assessment

HTA is performed on the national level (as part of the evaluations by the Health Technology Council) or on the regional and local levels (two organizations have limited activity in the Med Tech space). 

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Specifics for IVD tests

There is no specific reimbursement framework for in-vitro diagnostic tests. IVD tests are funded using a global budget principle as part of the laboratory funding.

MTRC has experience with more than 150 projects in Denmark

News and insights

Details of the application process to the Danish Board for Health Apps

In December 2024, the Danish Board for Health Apps published information on how to apply for the health app evaluation, including the electronic form for the application to the Board of Health Apps, the assessment criteria, and details of the application process.

Planned changes in the Danish Health Authority structure from 2025

On November 22, 2024, the Danish Health Authority announced that it would change its organizational structure. This restructuring is expected to prepare the Danish Health Authority for Health Care Reform work and set a new framework for the work with public health. The organizational changes will take effect on January 1, 2025.

The first meeting of the Board for Health Apps in Denmark

On November 6, 2024, the first meeting of the Board for Health Apps was held in Denmark. As soon as the Board determines the criteria according to which it will assess health apps, it will be possible to apply for assessment followed by recommendations

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