Belgium

In some cases, compulsory health care insurance reimburses an implant or an invasive medical device only if it is placed in a hospital that meets specific criteria.

KCE performed health technology assessment of 3D high-risk printed medical devices. It provides description of evidence concerning efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of the 3D printed medical devices as well as legal issues (requirements to enter to the market, liability, data protection, patient’s rights, traceability, reimbursement, intellectual property rights).

The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre and the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Care innovation have signed an agreement to invest 6 million euros in the pilot project Belgium-Netherlands Funding of International Trials (BeNeFIT) for conduction of comparative, practice-oriented clinical studies which is relevant to patients, caregivers and policymakers in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) performed assessment of use of static automated external defibrillators (AED) by bystanders for out of hospital cardiac arrest. The aim was to inform government, whether current practice of placing AED for public use should be supported or not. No strict recommendations were given due to insufficient evidence for this device in use by bystanders.

Patients who have undergone mastectomy for the breast cancer or as a preventive measure can now benefit from better reimbursement of autologous tissue breast reconstruction if it is performed in a hospital that has an agreement with INAMI.

New material codes for spinal distraction system and platinum surgical sealant for contact with lung tissue were added to the List of reimbursable devices of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) in August. Codes for application of intramedullary nails were changed and conditions of reimbursement for valvulotomy and percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage were amended.

New material codes for neurovascular self-expanding stent retrievers for clot removal (mechanical thrombectomy for stroke) and foam preparation for hysterosalpingosonography were added to the List of reimbursable devices of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) in July.

Changes will be made in eleven chapters of Nomenclature. In relation to medical technologies and in-vitro diagnostics, the most important changes include changes in conditions for Stomatology, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine codes, introduction of new codes for IVD tests, including diagnostics of tuberculosis and screening for EGFR mutation.

The NIP test is a non-invasive prenatal test aimed at detecting Down's syndrome in fetus. This test is a screening performed using mother's blood sample from the 12th week of pregnancy. From 1 July 2017, non-invasive prenatal test will be reimbursed for all pregnant women.

KCE is working now on development of research program for 2018 and proposals for research topics can be submitted by filling in an online form until 6 September, 2017. Proposal can also be submitted by the industry.

Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center has released new clinical guidelines for evaluation and management of low back pain without serious underlying cause and radicular pain (including neurogenic claudication). It has number of implications for medical procedures, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, radiofrequency denervation, disk replacement, spine fusion and other.

Guidelines focused on treatment for recurrent and metastatic cancer, neoadjuvant treatment and the most optimal diagnostic strategy.