Key topics
There are three key themes describing market access for medical technologies in Norway:
- Reimbursement: payment mechanism via the DRG system
- Funding: national guidelines by the Directorate of Health, coverage decisions in the national “New Methods” framework
- Health technology assessment: HTAs by the Norwegian Medical Products Agenc within the “New Methods” framework
Reimbursement
Reimbursement for hospital and most outpatient specialist procedures is made via the Norwegian version of the NordDRG system, which is shared with other Nordic countries, including Finland and Sweden. The DRG system does play a smaller role compared with other European countries (e.g., France or the Netherlands), as it accounts only for 40% of hospital revenue (the other 60% - via block grant payment mechanism), but plays a greater role compared to other Nordic countries.
The Norwegian reimbursement system (ISF) has the following components:
- Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), which are determined by the combination of a procedure code (NKPK coding system) and a diagnosis code (ICD-10). The NKPK coding system is maintained by the Directorate of Health and released annually;
- Special Service Groups (STGs) cover specialist health services that take place in other than traditional inpatient and outpatient settings, as extended over a long period of time so that the patient himself is more responsible for the administration of the treatment;
- Service Progress Groups (TFG) "bundled payments" are aggregated levels above DRG and STG, providing financing of a patient treatment course with several stays and activities. The aim of the TFG introduction was to provide incentives for cost-effective treatment choices through harmonization of pricing and payment for different methods (technology, organization, etc.).
Funding
Norway has no nationally defined list of health benefits which are guaranteed to the Norwegian population. Decisions on which treatment methods to use and which new technologies to introduce are made by the hospitals.
However, all innovative medical technologies must undergo evaluation and obtain a coverage decision within the national “New Methods” framework. The framework has two levels:
- National level, where decisions based on HTAs are made by the four Regional Health Authorities jointly. This is relevant mostly for highly specialized services and highly innovative technologies;
- Local level, where decisions are made based on the mini-HTAs performed locally in the hospital.
The presence of methods in national guidelines developed by the Norwegian Directorate of Health can significantly support the adoption of novel technologies by healthcare providers and payers (Regional Health Authorities).
Health technology assessment
Since 2024, the Norwegian Medical Products Agency (former Norwegian Medicines Agency) performs national HTAs for medical devices within the “New Methods” framework; the Norwegian Institute of Public Health is now responsible for HTAs for procedures without significant MedTech component.
Specifics for IVD tests
All laboratory tests in hospital settings, and simple laboratory biochemistry tests that are performed as part of outpatient consultations are covered within the DRG system.
IVD tests performed in outpatient specialist settings are reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis using the Norwegian Laboratory Code (NLK) System.
How can MTRC help?
Development of reimbursement analysis (procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs, policy and HTA considerations)
Development of reimbursement strategy
Development of an application for a procedure code
Development of an application for a DRG change
Adaptation of the global health economic model to the Norwegian settings
Development of submission dossier for the “New Methods” framework
Access to an educational seminar on the Norwegian reimbursement system
MTRC has experience with more than 160 projects in Norway
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