The final version of the 2026 OPS procedure coding classification released in Germany

On October 24, 2025, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) published the final version of the 2026 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 fifty-six (156) proposals submitted by representatives of professional societies, associations of sickness funds, and healthcare institutions were incorporated in OPS 2026.

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” and multiple changes to notes related to (sub)chapters or codes were introduced. The examples of newly introduced codes per technology group are provided below:

Cardiovascular

• 5-377.j0 Implantation of a pacemaker, defibrillator, and event recorder: Defibrillator with extravascular electrode: With subcutaneous electrode;
• 5-377.j1 Implantation of a pacemaker, defibrillator, and event recorder: Defibrillator with extravascular electrode: With substernal electrode;
• 5-378.cq System conversion from defibrillator to defibrillator, pacemaker, or intracardiac pulse generator: Defibrillator with substernal electrode to defibrillator with single-chamber stimulation, with atrial detection.

Endoscopy

• 5-513.u0 Closure of a leakage using embolizing fluids: Up to 1 ml;
• 5-513.u3 Closure of a leakage using embolizing fluids: 2.5 ml or more.

Peripheral vascular

• 5-399.k Encasement of the aortic root and ascending aorta with a patient-specific prosthesis. The procedure code includes personalized external aortic root support [PEARS];
• 8-83b.bk Type of balloons used: Balloon for generating microchannels (in the media) through a retractable spike-bearing nitinol scaffold. This code can only be used in combination with the code 8-836.0c “(Percutaneous) transluminal vascular intervention: Balloon angioplasty: Vessels of the lower leg”.

Orthopedics

• 5-346.e0 Stabilization of the thoracic wall, thoracoscopic, unilateral: With repositioning and osteosynthesis, 1 rib;
• 5-78a.q Revision of osteosynthesis material with reosteosynthesis: Using an angle-stable plate with an integrated band
• 5-829.02 Hip arthroplasty with pelvic osteotomy: Periacetabular osteotomy.

The full details in German can be found here. The 2026 version of the OPS classification can be found here.

This news is just one of about 300 market access news collected by our team in the premium subscription service Market Access Monitor every week from more than 80 organizations. Access our paid service to stay on top of all developments specifically for your products in Europe (reimbursement news) and globally (HTA news). Access is organized as an online Database and email alert formats. Contact us to get a free, three-month, no-obligation trial.