Denmark

In April 2026, the Danish Health Data Authority opened the application period for changes to the 2028 DRG logic, including the creation of new DRG codes and modifications to the grouping logic for existing DRGs. The application deadline is October 30, 2026.

On March 20, 2026, the Danish Healthcare Quality Institute (DHQI) opened a call for submissions of clinical issues for health technology assessment (analysis or evaluation). Proposals from healthcare stakeholders will undergo validation and prioritization, with selected topics taken forward for evaluation and the development of national recommendations.

The Danish Health Data Authority quarterly updates the Health Care Classification System (SKS). The latest version was published in mid-March 2026 to come into force on April 1, 2026. Among other changes, 32 new procedure codes concerning extracorporeal treatments, interventional radiology, ICU/OR, ophthalmology, pulmonary and airways, surgical procedures, and some other fields were introduced.

In February 2026, the Danish Healthcare Quality Institute (DHQI) released a document outlining the criteria for “triaging” clinical guideline recommendations to health economic analysis. The criteria aim to identify recommendations with potentially significant clinical and resource implications that should undergo health economic evaluation and be considered by the DHQI Council for possible nationwide implementation.

In January 2026, the Handbook on Health Councils was released in Denmark. The handbook explains the role, structure, responsibilities, and financing of the new Health Councils introduced as part of the ongoing Health Reform. A transitional structure of 17 preparatory Health Councils will be in place in 2026 to support the establishment of the permanent councils starting in 2027.

In December 2025, the Danish Health Data Authority published the DRG tariff system (Takstsystem) guide, which provides an overall description of billing rules, tariffs, and grouping logic for 2026. Among other changes, 17 new DRGs were introduced in the nephrology and urology, obstetrics and gynecology, and some other fields.

In December 2025, the Danish Healthcare Quality Institute (DHQI) released a methodological document clarifying the processes of health economic analyses associated with the clinical guidelines and the DHQI Council’s decision-making. Furthermore, the first two health economic analyses associated with the clinical guidelines were published concerning prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET/CT in prostate cancer and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in ovarian cancer.

In December 2025, the Danish Health Data Authority published the DRG tariffs for 2026. In accordance with the released documentation, one new DRG will be introduced in 2026.

The Danish Health Data Authority quarterly updates the Health Care Classification System (SKS). The latest version was published in mid-September 2025 to come into force on October 1, 2025. Among other changes, four new procedure codes were introduced concerning men's health, radiotherapy, and surgical procedures.

In late August 2025, the meeting of the Board of Danish Regions was held. Among the themes for discussion was the development of the new model for managing specialized hospital services (Specialty planning) by the Danish Health Authority. The implementation of this new model is expected to start in 2026. Furthermore, the progress of the Danish Healthcare Quality Institute in carrying out its tasks was discussed, including its work on the development of clinical guidelines.

In June 2025, the first five health apps were rated and recommended by the Board for Health Apps in Denmark. The rated apps concern endocrine, orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery, mental health, and primary care fields. The Board will continuously evaluate new apps; the list will be expanded as new apps are recommended.

The Danish Health Data Authority quarterly updates the Health Care Classification System (SKS). The latest version was published in mid-June 2025 to come into force on July 1, 2025. Among other changes, seventy-eight new procedure codes were introduced concerning dermatology, endoscopy, ENT, interventional radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, spine, surgical procedures, and some other fields.