e-Health

The temporary reimbursement for telemedicine and digital care in all healthcare sectors has been extended by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) until December 31, 2020. In some sectors, the temporary extension will be converted into a structural extension by 2021.

The German Association for Digital Health Care (Spitzenverband Digitale Gesundheitsversorgung e.V.) published the list of companies that submitted applications for inclusion in the directory of digital health apps (DiGA) in the first phase.

In July 2020, two new apps entered the level 1 of the mHealthBelgium validation pyramid. Healthentia is an eClinical platform to record Real World Data, that can be used either in clinical trials or by healthy individuals. Sunrise (class IIa) sleep testing device allows rapid and at home diagnosing respiratory sleep disorders.

On July 14, 2020, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced a new framework for reimbursement of the app supporting rehabilitation program for the total hip or knee replacement (moveUP app). The pilot study will start on October 1, 2020, in 15 hospitals. Reimbursement to other patients is planned to be established by September 2021.

The Corona warning app, developed on behalf of the German government, has been available for download in the Google and Apple stores since June 16, 2020. It is intended to help identify and break infection chains at an early stage. Users of the app receive a notification if they have been for a long time in the vicinity of a person who was later found to be infected with the coronavirus.

On 05 June 2020, mHealthBelgium announced the activation of Level 2 of the validation pyramid. This indicates that health applications that meet certain criteria can achieve Level 2. The National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI) is working on the next step (level 3) - to introduce a structural framework for funding.

In June 2020, two new apps entered the level 1 of the mHealthBelgium validation pyramid. Guardian Connect smartphone application is a component of the Guardian Connect Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system for diabetes management. The icompanion software is a decision-making tool that helps physicians to choose medication for patients with multiple sclerosis.

From June 2020, NHS England will provide patients with cystic fibrosis and those recovering from coronavirus with devices and apps so physicians can track their condition remotely as part of the NHS drive to deliver connected, assisted, personalized care to more individuals in their own homes.

On June 9, 2020, NHS England announced new online services for diabetes patients. This remote support will supplement the appointments of patients, many of whom have been going on during the pandemic, via video or telephone consultations, and more recently in protected areas under COVID.

In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, NHSX looks for remote monitoring technology suppliers to help scale solutions across the UK. The organization invited technology companies to apply in a tender notice published on May 15.

On May 4, 2020, a new web platform called Brizzy entered the level 1 of the mHealthBelgium validation pyramid. Brizzy (class IIa) sleep testing device allows diagnosing respiratory sleep disorders efficiently and accurately and avoids the complexity and discomfort associated with traditional systems. The web platform allows for the analysis of the assessment of the collected data.

The application portal for inclusion in the directory of digital health apps (DiGA) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has been online since May 27, 2020. The application, which can be submitted only electronically, is the first step for the respective health app to be reimbursed in the future as part of regular care.