DRG

In late September 2021, the Austrian version of the DRG system (LKF) 2022 model with the relevant supplementary documents was published in Austria. The document "Changes and innovations in the 2022 LKF model" (Änderungen und Neuerungen in den LKF-Modellen 2022) summarizes the most significant changes and innovations in the LKF model for inpatient and outpatient care. The newly added procedure codes concern mainly the cardiovascular, E-Health, and gastrointestinal area.

On September 30, 2021, the 2020/21 National Tariff Payment System was published in England, and it came into effect on October 01, 2021. The publication has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On August 26, 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) published the fourth release of the DRG package for the year 2021 (RZ21d).

Certain medical devices are financed within the DRG tariff but require explicit review to ensure that they are safe and effective. This mechanism is called “intra-DRG” (intra-GHS) coverage. On August 5, 2021, the new version of the intra-DRG list was published by the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health. No new devices were added to the list compared to the version of November 2020.

On July 30, 2021, the final version of the French DRG manual was published on the website of the Technical Agency for Information on Hospitalizations (ATIH). No new DRGs or other changes compared to the preliminary version published in March 2021 have been introduced.

In early July 2021, the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsdatastyrelsen) has opened the application period for 2023 DRG grouping logic changes. The deadline for the submission of the applications is January 6, 2022.

In mid-June 2021, the document "Changes and innovations in the 2022 LKF model" (Änderungen und Neuerungen in den LKF-Modellen 2022) was published. The document summarizes the most significant changes and innovations in the LKF model for inpatient and outpatient care. The newly added procedure codes concern mainly the cardiovascular, e-Health, and gastrointestinal area.

The online application form is announced to be activated on April 26, 2021. The applications can then be submitted from May 31, 2021, to July 11, 2021. The applications made in 2021 will be reflected in the 2023 version of the SwissDRG.

On March 17, 2021, NHS Digital released HRG4+ 2021/22 Local Payment Grouper. In general, there were no significant changes in the HRG logic for 2021/22, and no new HRGs were introduced. Two new ICD-10 codes for COVID-19 were incorporated into the grouping logic in addition to three codes already included in the consultation grouper. Furthermore, three new Main Speciality Codes (MSC) and 25 new Treatment Function Codes (TFC), which were introduced in April 2020, became mandatory to use in Grouper from April 2021. These codes concern a wide specter of areas of care.

On March 31, 2021, the Order of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health on the 2021 DRG system was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. The Order includes information on the 2021 updates of the DRG system, DRG tariffs, supplements for private and public hospitals, as well as the tariffs for specific packages (emergency treatment package, ATU; small equipment package, FFM; safety and hospital environment package, SE; administration package for pharmaceutical products, services, and specialties in a hospital environment, APE) applicable to the procedures performed in a hospital environment but without hospitalization, etc.

On March 1, 2021, the Technical Agency for Information on Hospitalizations (ATIH) published the preliminary version of the French DRG manual for 2021.

In December 2020, the Norwegian Directorate of Health published a final version of the DRG system (Innsatsstyrt finansiering, ISF) for 2021. The new DRGs cover the endocrine procedures, diabetes, and physical exercise therapy areas.