The final version of the 2025 OPS procedure coding classification released in Germany

On October 24, 2024, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) published the final version of the 2025 OPS procedure coding classification. The OPS, together with the ICD-10-GM (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, German Modification), forms the basis for the reimbursement systems in outpatient and inpatient care in Germany.

One hundred eighty-five (185) proposals submitted by representatives of professional societies, associations of health insurance companies, and healthcare institutions were incorporated in OPS 2025.

Numerous content updates and new procedure codes were included mainly in chapters 5 “Operations” and 8 “Non-operative therapeutic measures”. Also, changes were made in chapter 1 “Diagnostic measures”. The examples of newly introduced codes per technology group are provided below:

Cardiovascular

• 5-35a.8 Minimally invasive operations on heart valves: Endovascular implantation of a tricuspid valve replacement;
• 5-35b.14 Additional information on operations on heart valves: Application of special methods for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: Application of the valve-in-valve technique;
• 8-83b.bj Additional information on materials: Type of balloons used: Double-wall balloon [twin-wall balloon] on coronary vessels;
• 8-83d.b- Other percutaneous-transluminal vascular interventions on the heart and coronary vessels: Insertion of a drug-eluting adapting hybrid stent.

Endoscopy

• 1-620.41 Diagnostic tracheobronchoscopy with flexible single-use instrument: With bronchoalveolar lavage;
• 5-33a.1↔ Additional information on operations on the lungs and bronchus: Use of an ultra-thin tracheobronchoscope;
• 5-429.u0 Other operations on the esophagus: Endoscopic tissue tightening or tissue closure: Using a ring-shaped clip attached to an endoscope;
• 5-54a.20 Additional information on operations on the gastrointestinal tract: Use of a single-use endoscope: Single-use duodenoscope.

Peripheral vascular

• 5-39b.9** Other operations on blood vessels: Intraluminal valvuloplasty: Deep veins;
• 8-83c.m1↔ Other (percutaneous) transluminal vascular intervention: Introduction of a guide wire before termination of balloon angioplasty: Shoulder and upper arm vessels.

Robotic surgery

• 1-999.60 Additional information on diagnostic measures: Diagnostic application of a surgical robot: Simple surgical robot, one-armed;
• 5-987.00 Use of a surgical robot: Complex surgical robot: One-armed.

The full details in German can be found here. The 2025 version of the OPS classification can be found here.

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