e-Health

In January 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published four new Interventional Procedure Guidance (percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of peripheral neuroma, laparoscopic insertion of a magnetic ring, transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, and trabeculectomy with a biodegradable collagen matrix implant ), two new Diagnostic Guidance (devices for remote monitoring of Parkinson's disease, MRI-based technologies for assessing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), and three new Medtech Innovation Briefings (PredictSURE IBD, Ambu aScope 4 Broncho, and Aquablation robotic therapy). One MedTech-related clinical guideline was updated.

The updated German Uniform Evaluation Standard (EBM) catalog came into force on January 1, 2023. The EBM catalog (Einheitlicher Bewertungsmaßstab) regulates the reimbursement of services in the public outpatient sector in Germany and is updated once a quarter (four times a year). Among other changes, a new code for "zanadio" health app for follow-up and evaluation was introduced in the catalog.

On December 31, 2022, the Decree defining the reimbursement of medical telemonitoring activities via the new framework was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. The Decree determines the methods of evaluation of digital solutions, registration for reimbursement, modification of the registration conditions, removal and invoicing of medical telemonitoring activities, as well as the conditions for setting the reimbursement packages.

On December 26, 2022, three more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by sickness funds.

In November 2022, the Danish Health Data Agency (Sundhedsdatastyrelsen) published the DRG tariffs, as well as psychiatric and rehabilitation rates for 2023. Later, on December 1, 2022, the DRG tariff system (Takstsystem) guide for 2023 was also published. Among other changes, nine new DRGs, specifically in ENT, e-health, neurology and neurosurgery, ophthalmology, intensive care and OR, cardiovascular, and IVD fields, were introduced.

On November 18, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) announced the selection of twenty-eight project ideas for Innovation Funding of the new forms of care within the framework of the two-stage application process. A total of 114 project ideas were received in response to the funding announcement of March 3, 2022, and only twenty-eight were accepted.

On November 18, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) announced that sixteen applications for Innovation Funding of the new forms of care were accepted. These applications relate to the funding announcement of March 17, 2021. Most projects relate to interdisciplinary or cross-sectoral care and pathways.

On October 28, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) reported that 231 applications were received for innovation funding of healthcare research projects.

In October 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (YAG laser vitreolysis for symptomatic vitreous floaters, transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve for treating and preventing migraine), one Medical Technologies Guidance (Magtrace and Sentimag system for locating sentinel lymph nodes for breast cancer) and three new Medtech Innovation Briefings (O2matic PRO 100, Daylight, Signatera). Also, one new clinical guideline was published on osteoarthritis.

On October 19, 2022, it was announced by the Ministry of Health that the 2023 General State Budget in the field of health would comprise €2,746.17 million, which is €199.32 million (7.83%) more than in 2022. The aim is to strengthen the National Health System (SNS) and achieve a more robust, more equitable, and more modern system capable of adapting to the population's health needs.

In October 2022, Ordering Forum for New Methods framework in Norway invited interested parties regarding hand-held electrocardiogram (ECG) devices connected to an app for diagnosing atrial fibrillation in adults (e.g., KardiaMobile). Information shall be submitted no later than November 29, 2022. Ordering Forum will be held on December 12, 2022, to decide whether the method will undergo evaluation at the national level.

In late September – early October 2022, three more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by sickness funds.