e-Health

In December 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new medical technologies guidance (Zio XT for detecting cardiac arrhythmias), three Medtech innovation briefings (ReStore Soft Exo-Suit for gait rehabilitation, Cytosponge for detecting abnormal cells in the esophagus, and Evoke Spinal Cord Stimulator for managing chronic neuropathic or ischemic pain). Also, nine clinical guidance documents were updated.

In early January 2021, the new reimbursable health app was introduced on the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). These applications can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers.

In December 2020, Swedish Medical Technologies Product (MTP) Council decided to evaluate new technologies for self-monitoring of atrial fibrillation within the Orderly introduction framework. MTP Council commissioned the Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) to perform a health-economic evaluation of Coala Heart Monitor Pro and KardiaMobile; however, other products may also be considered later.

In late December 2020, three more reimbursable health apps in the fields of management of fatigue, migraine and depression were introduced on the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). These applications can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers.

On December 22, 2020, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced a pilot project which concerns the remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients before and after their hospitalization as part of an integrated medical approach supported by digital applications.

The Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) completed the research project “Framework for reimbursement decisions of digital health technologies (mHealth) and its (retrospective) application on selected examples”. The report was published in the middle of December 2020.

In early December 2020, one more reimbursable health app was introduced on the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). These applications can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers.

Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) initiated the health services research on facilitators and barriers for e-Health adoption by general practitioners. The project has been started in 2017 and is still ongoing.

The Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) is conducting a research project “Framework for reimbursement decisions of digital health technologies (mHealth) and its (retrospective) application on selected examples”. The project started in May 2020, with expected completion in November 2020.

In late October 2020, three more reimbursable health apps were introduced on the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). These applications can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers.

On October 14, 2020, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) announced the ongoing update of the submission file guides to support companies who requested reimbursement for medical devices with a system of machine learning (artificial intelligence).

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog for ambulatory reimbursement in Germany came into force on October 1, 2020. MTRC has compiled the selection of the most significant changes, concerning In-vitro diagnostics, telemedicine and vacuum wounds therapy.