Belgium

On May 25, 2022, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) published an updated List of reimbursable devices that came into force on June 01, 2022. A total of 12 new codes with the corresponding conditions of reimbursement were added to the List, which concerned sacral neurostimulation in fecal incontinence treatment, soft tissue markers, and osteosynthesis devices.

MoveUP is the first digital health app that has reached the level 3 level on the Mhealth validation pyramid. This means that the app is now reimbursed in Belgium.

The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) initiated a study aimed at defining a clear and transparent procedure for the evaluation of digital health technologies in Belgium.

A new temporary reimbursement framework for remote consultations is planned to be implemented in Belgium in spring 2022.

Since 2019, several low-cost and simple procedures in Belgium have been reimbursed not via individual INAMI fees but APR-DRG groups. This funding system is called “Low Variability Care”. On January 26, 2022, the list of APR-DRG groups and corresponding reimbursement amounts for 2022 was published.

At the beginning of January 2022, the INAMI published a convention for 2022-2023 related to the financing of dialysis. The convention regulates the modalities of reimbursement for dialysis of patients with chronic renal failure.

On December 17, 2021, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) published a health services research report “Evidence gaps for drugs and medical devices at market entry in Europe and potential solutions”. In this report, KCE examined the lack of comparative evidence health technology assessment (HTA) agencies and payers face in evaluating new medicinal products and high-risk medical devices at market entry.

In spring 2022, a new reimbursement system for remote consultations will be launched with new reimbursement codes and conditions.

On November 9, 2021, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) published the health technology assessment report "Remote monitoring of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED)". Analysis of efficacy and safety of remote monitoring showed an advantage in various aspects. Cost-effectiveness analysis indicates that remote cardiac monitoring of ICDs and PMs is cost-effective compared to monitoring based on in-clinic visits.

On April 22, 2021, the List of reimbursable implants and invasive medical devices, maintained by the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI), was updated with the corresponding Nominative lists of brand-specific devices. Two new Nominative lists with reimbursable devices used for peripheral vascular interventions were introduced.

On March 4, 2021, INAMI-RIZIV announced the development of a multi-year trajectory for the health care budget in which will define the allocation of resources for health care objectives for 2022-2024.

On January 19, 2021, the 2021 tariffs for APR-DRG groups, as well as the distribution of total amount within DRG among all specialists and services which are provided by them, were published. Except for the update of the tariffs, no other changes were introduced within the Belgian DRG system.