Finland

In February 2022, the Finnish Coordinating Center for Health Technology Assessment announced the release of the seven accomplished rapid hospital assessments performed by the Helsinki, Tampere, and Oulu University Hospital. The accomplished rapid HTAs concern the diagnostic imaging, e-Health, endocrine, endoscopy, men’s health, neuromodulation technology groups.

The Council for Choices in Health Care in Finland (PALKO) has discontinued the development of recommendations concerning companion diagnostic tests. The respective preparations were completed in November 2021.

In late January 2022, 19 new procedure codes were introduced by the Code Service of the Finnish National Health and Wellbeing Institution (THL). The introduced codes are dedicated to diagnostic imaging and image-guided interventions.

In mid-December 2021, 44 new procedure codes were introduced by the Code Service of the Finnish National Health and Wellbeing Institution (THL). The introduced codes are dedicated to substance abuse, psychological counseling and rehabilitation, palliative care, anesthesia, and sedation. No updates related to medical technologies were introduced.

In late December 2021, five new in-vitro diagnostics tests, including one test for COVID-19 spike protein antibodies determination, were added to the Laboratory Test Nomenclature (Laboratoriotutkimusnimikkeistö) in Finland.

The Council for Choices in Health Care in Finland (PALKO) has initiated the development of recommendations concerning companion diagnostic tests. The respective preparations were completed in November 2021.

In mid-August 2021, the Finnish Coordinating Center for Health Technology Assessment announced the release of the four accomplished rapid hospital assessments (HTA) performed by the Helsinki University Hospital. The accomplished rapid HTAs concern the cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, and endoscopy technology groups.

In late July 2021, two new COVID-19 antigen tests were added to the Laboratory Test Nomenclature (Laboratoriotutkimusnimikkeistö) in Finland.

In mid-June 2021, 38 new tests, including five COVID-19 antigen tests, were added to the Laboratory Test Nomenclature (Laboratoriotutkimusnimikkeistö) in Finland.

In late March 2021, multiple new procedure codes were introduced by the Code Service of the Finnish National Health and Wellbeing Institution (THL), including ten neuromodulation codes, 54 codes in the ophthalmology area, and three codes in the cardiovascular area.

In Finland, the Health Care Services Selection Council (Terveydenhuollon palveluvalikoimaneuvosto, PALKO) is responsible for making recommendations regarding the research, treatment, and rehabilitation methods. Currently, the Council is working on assessments of chronic low back pain treatment and screening for severe combined immune deficiency in a neonatal heel sample.

The ultimate step in establishing reimbursement is achieved by making reimbursement applications to authorities. MTRC provides support with the development of reimbursement applications for a novel procedure code, change of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) and establishing other payment mechanisms in the Nordic region and Russia.