Denmark

The Danish Health Data Authority (Sundheddatastyrelsen) quarterly updates the Health Care Classification System (Sundhedsvæsenets Klassifikations System, SKS). The updated version was published in mid-March 2024 to come into force on April 1, 2024. Nine new medical procedure codes, five new codes for diagnostic investigations, and ten new additional codes concerning cardiovascular, ENT, interventional radiology, pulmonary, endoscopy, pathology, and surgical procedures were introduced.

In February 2024, Danish Regions announced the launch of the National board for digitization and data in health and elderly. The new National Board will have decision-making competence regarding digital solutions and infrastructure, welfare technology, new data-driven technologies, and the use of data for patient treatment, research, statistics, and quality improvement in the health and elderly areas.

In February 2024, the Danish Health Technology Council (Behandlingsrådet) completed three assessments. The Council made positive recommendations regarding home non-invasive ventilation for patients with COPD and non-surgical management for the treatment of distal radius fractures in patients over 65 years. Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of adults with mild or moderate depression was not recommended.

The Danish Health Data Authority quarterly updates the Health Care Classification System (SKS). In December 2023, the latest code changes were published to come into force on January 1, 2024. Nine new surgical procedure codes and four new medical (MedTech-related) procedure codes concerning cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, interventional radiology, men’s health, peripheral vascular, radiotherapy, and dermatology were introduced.

In December 2023, the Government, Danish Regions, and Municipalities (KL) signed an agreement providing 500 million DKK from 2023 to 2028 to promote the spread of digital treatment services. This will include technologies for home monitoring and targeted control for patients with chronic diseases (such as diabetes, COPD, and heart failure), thus reducing the number of physical check-ups and preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.

The Danish government granted the Danish Regions an additional 300 million DKK to strengthen cancer care in 2024. From 2025, the government confirmed permanent annual funding of 600 million DKK for “Cancer Plan V”, expected to be published by Autumn 2024.

In November 2023, the Danish Regions announced the launch of a national telemedicine solution for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The telemedicine platform Telma, developed by regions and municipalities, comprises a software application for patients connected to devices measuring patients' clinical parameters (such as blood oxygen), which clinicians then assess remotely.

On October 5, 2023, the Health Technology Council initiated the evaluation aimed to investigate whether Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation should be used as a treatment option for adult patients with treatment-resistant depression. The expected publication date is not announced yet.

The Danish Health Data Authority quarterly updates the Health Care Classification System (SKS). In September 2023, the latest code changes were published to come into force on October 1, 2023. Four surgical procedure codes concerning extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were introduced.

In August 2023, Danish Regions supported establishing a new Board for Health Apps proposed by the Ministry of the Interior and Health. It is expected that recommendations from the Board will significantly impact the adoption of health apps.

In August 2023, the Danish Health Technology Council (Behandlingsråd) decided to conduct evaluations based on completed health technology assessments (HTA) from other countries, adopting their results to the Danish context. This evaluation method will be introduced in addition to the currently used. The Council has already selected the first four HTAs for evaluation.

On July 31, 2023, the Danish Health Data Authority opened the application period for changes in the 2025 DRG logic, including the creation of new DRG codes and changes in the grouping logic for existing DRGs. The deadline for the submission of the applications is November 10, 2023.