The first mobile app reimbursed in Belgium

On July 14, 2020, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced a new framework for reimbursement of the app supporting rehabilitation program for the total hip or knee replacement (moveUP app).

As a first step, a clinical study will start on October 1, 2020, in 15 hospitals. INAMI is going to sign a specific agreement with health care providers (hospitals and physiotherapists) and fund this project. UZ Gent will coordinate the study under the supervision of the Federal Knowledge Center (KCE). A classic rehabilitation program will be compared with a program supported by an app. 

Currently, only one app is eligible for the study – moveUP Coach, that recently achieved Level 2 of the mHealthBelgium validation pyramid.

Reimbursement will be provided for patients who want to use the app and give their informed consent to participate in the study. Patients do not pay any co-payment or supplements.

The reimbursement of the rehabilitation program with mobile app includes:

• preoperative patient management, during which the physiotherapist explains the treatment method with the mobile application
• the equipment (portable tablet, etc.) and technical assistance (e.g., a helpdesk for the patient, the digital analysis of the data, etc.) both for the patient and the health care provider
• treatment and follow-up by the physiotherapist (with physical contact if necessary)

The study is expected to help policymakers, app developers, and the healthcare sector to collect additional data on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation supported by the app.

From September 2021, it is planned to extend reimbursement to other patients.

See the full details in French here

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