Belgium

On March 7, 2019, the Nomenclature was updated. The update brought changes in chapter V of Nomenclature, regarding the creation of new codes, deletion, and modification of existing codes. Changes mainly related to the in-vitro diagnostic testing.

In January 2019, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge (KCE) published a report of health technology assessment that was dedicated to the evaluation of proton beam therapy in adults.

On February 19, 2019, the Nomenclature was updated. The update brought changes in chapter V and VI of Nomenclature, regarding the creation of new codes for laser destruction of congenital port-wine stains, hearing aids and cone beam computed tomography.

New material code for the dynamic hip system was added to the List of reimbursable devices of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) in January 2019.

On December 27, 2018, the Belgian Official Gazette was updated. The update brought changes in chapter VIII of the Nomenclature, regarding the changing of the coding for flow reserve measurement.

Changes will be made in sixteen chapters of Nomenclature. In relation to medical technologies and in-vitro diagnostics, the most important changes include creation of new codes for ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, clinical biology and genetic examinations.

In late November 2018, the Belgian Healthcare Knowledge Center (KCE) published a report with the title “Optimisation of RIZIV – INAMI lump sums for incontinence.” The primary aim of this report is to analyze the adequacy of the current payment model. The report was requested by the National Institute for Sickness and Disability Insurance (RIZIV-INAMI).

INAMI/RIZIV launched a call for projects via the application of negative pressure wound therapy in home nursing until August 31, 2018. Funding for a project depends on the number of treatment periods started, with a maximum of €1,000 per patient.

In spring 2018, the Belgian Healthcare Knowledge Center, KCE, has published a rapid HTA report of MammaPrint® test for personalized management of adjuvant chemotherapy decisions in early breast cancer. The report complements evaluation of the clinical utility of the test from the EUNetHTA’s assessment with health economic evaluation in a Belgian context. Estimates show approximate mean chemotherapy-related costs in Belgium of €11 411 without considering sick leave costs and of €15 044 when the latter are included. KCE came to the conclusion that given the uncertainties surrounding the limited data on the clinical utility of MammaPrint®, no reliable incremental cost-effectiveness ratio could be calculated.

National Institute for Sickness and Disability Insurance (RIZIV/INAMI) reimburses some or all of the non-implantable medical devices provided by the pharmacist or in some cases by a supplier. In May 2018 the list of non-implantable medical devices has been updated.

New material codes for Ventricular Assist Device and Aortic Endoprotheses were added to the List of reimbursable devices of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) in April 2018.