ENT

In August 2025, Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the List of implants and invasive medical devices. A new sub-chapter for bone conduction hearing systems with nine material codes was introduced. One new material code was added for bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation. Two new Nominative lists for brand-specific bone conduction hearing systems were also published. Changes will come into force on September 1, 2025.

In July 2025, the HTA body of Tuscany Regional Healthcare published nine rapid HTA reports (eight new assessments and one reassessment) of medical devices in the ENT, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, peripheral vascular, and surgical procedures fields.

In the first and second quarters of 2025, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published three coverage positions concerning the ENT, gastrointestinal, and in-vitro diagnostic fields. Two of the three decisions (Internal nasal valve correction for airway blockage and molecular diagnostics of the NTRK gene fusion in cancer patients) received favorable recommendations for coverage under basic health insurance.

On May 13, 2025, the Common Package of Benefits of the Spanish National Health System (NHS) was amended. The med tech-related updates mostly concerned in-vitro diagnostics, gastrointestinal, e-Health, cardiovascular, ENT, ophthalmology, oral health, and neurology fields.

On February 17, 2025, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 200 and 096 with changes to be implemented no later than March 10, 2025. Thirty-five new procedure codes related to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nephrology, peripheral vascular, and general surgery areas and ten new diagnostic codes concerning in-vitro diagnostics, endoscopy, and pulmonology were introduced.

In November 2024, the HTA body of the Tuscany Regional Healthcare published five rapid HTA reports (four new assessments and one reassessment) of medical devices in the cardiovascular, ophthalmology, ENT, and dermatology areas.

On October 10, 2024, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 198 and 094 with changes to be implemented no later than December 5, 2024. Fifty-two new procedure codes related to ENT, gastrointestinal, men’s health, urology, neurology and neurosurgery, gynecology, orthopedics, robotic surgery, and surgical procedures areas, and two new diagnostic codes were introduced.

In Q3 2024, Health Technology Wales completed three full appraisals with the publication of Evidence Appraisal Report and Guidance (AI for whole slide prostate biopsy images, AI-assisted endoscopy for gastrointestinal cancer, and Floseal in the treatment of epistaxis). Furthermore, 24 Med Tech-related Topic Exploration Reports were published concerning cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, gynecology, e-health, in-vitro diagnostics, and other areas.

On June 19, 2024, the Order SND/606/2024, of June 13, came into force. This Order, among other things, amends Annexes I, II, III, VI, and VII of Royal Decree 1030/2006, of September 15, which establishes the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health System and the procedure for its update. The changes mostly concern in-vitro diagnostics, ENT, pulmonary and airways, cardiovascular, and some other fields.

On June 13, 2024, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 196 and 092 with changes to be implemented no later than August 8, 2024. Five new procedure codes related to endoscopy, ENT, orthopedics, and spine, as well as seven new diagnostic codes were introduced.

On May 27, 2024, the Danish Health Technology Council released two new publications: an evaluation of Optune® (Novocure) and a major analysis on the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Danish Health Authority has initiated a process of assessing the national clinical recommendations. Work is set to start in 2024. Recommendations in diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, endocrine, ENT, gastrointestinal, nephrology and urology, neurology and neurosurgery, neuromodulation, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pulmonary and airways, radiotherapy, spine, and some other fields are considered for reassessment.