Esophagus procedures

In March 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published four new Interventional Procedure Guidance (transcervical ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for symptomatic uterine fibroids, extracorporeal whole liver perfusion, free-functioning gracilis transfer to restore upper limb function, cytoreduction surgery with hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy), two Medical Technologies Guidance (Danis stent for acute oesophageal variceal bleeding, Alpha-Stim AID for anxiety disorders), two Medtech Innovation Briefings (Sonata system for symptomatic uterine fibroids, Butterfly iQ+ for diagnostic ultrasound), and one Diagnostic Guidance (QAngio XA 3D QFR and CAAS vFFR imaging software for assessing coronary stenosis). Also, five clinical guidelines were updated.

In late September 2020, the Austrian version of the DRG system (LKF) 2021 model with the relevant supplementary documents was published in Austria. For 2021, the main changes include the addition of sixteen new procedure codes and the introduction of two new procedure codes for billing in the day-case settings, update of cases flat rates, and adjustments of the cases daily component calculation.

The report presents a summary of the reimbursement situation for a number of therapeutic endoscopic procedures on esophagus in Europe, including: endoscopic mucosal resection of lesion of esophagus; endoscopic submucosal resection of lesion of esophagus; endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of lesion of esophagus; endoscopic injection sclerotherapy to varices of esophagus; endoscopic balloon dilation of esophagus; endoscopic insertion of stent into esophagus. The analysis covers procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy restrictions in 11 EU countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. It is also possible to add analysis in the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Turkey.

NICE issued a consultation document about safety and efficacy of balloon cryoablation for Barrett’s oesophagus and squamous dysplasia of the oesophagus and balloon dilation for eustachian tube dysfunction which were considered for Interventional Procedures Guidance in development for public consultation until 20 September 2019.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for diagnostic endoscopic procedures on the upper gastrointestinal tract for benign and malignant diseases in outpatient settings. The following procedures will be considered: esophagoscopy, gastroscopy, duodenoscopy. The analysis covers procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy restrictions in 11 EU countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

In mid-February 2019, the Swiss conference of cantonal healthcare directors (GDK/CDS) has published information about allocation of hospitals for highly complex visceral surgery in the fields of oesophageal, pancreatic and hepatic resections.