Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center has issued update of clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer

On March 1, 2023, Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) updated three Articles of the Nomenclature related to in-vitro diagnostics. Twelve new codes concerning clinical biology, molecular biology for infections, and genetics were implemented.

In February 2023, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced the completion of a pilot project for gene expression profiling (GEP) tests in early-stage breast cancer, which ran from 2019. The pilot showed significant benefits, and INAMI-RIZIV launched a reimbursement for certain tests under the specific agreement (GEP convention) with healthcare providers.

On January 09, 2023, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) published 2023 tariffs for the “low variability care” (APR-DRG) system. APR-DRG logic for 2023 is not published as of January 27, so no information about its changes or new DRGs is available.

The Belgian healthcare system is gradually moving from a disease-management approach to a more person-centered integrated care approach. On December 19, 2022, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced the extension of funding for integrated care pilot projects for the next two years. These projects are carried out in the context of a new inter-federal plan for integrated care.

Rehabilitation before or after a primary knee or hip replacement using a health app is temporarily reimbursed in Belgium under a specific agreement with the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV). Reimbursement was limited to patients participating in the clinical study. From October 01, 2022, all patients eligible for rehabilitation before and after a primary knee or hip replacement will receive it using a health app in combination with a certain minimum number of classic face-to-face physiotherapy sessions. Certain health apps must be included in the list of reimbursable mobile applications. For now, only one app (MoveUP Coach) is included.