France

In mid-October 2018, the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health has published an article which describes the change of the financing of the health care system and proposes medium-term strategies for this gradual change. The report has been developed by the Directorate of research, studies, evaluation and statistics (DREES) of this ministry.

In May 2018, the French National Authority of Health, HAS, has published an update of the assessment of coronary stents.

In April 2018, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) proposed an updated nomenclature in LPPR for foot orthosis and heel cup.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) published new set of decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices in June. They concern orthopedic devices and endobronchial valve.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) published new set of decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices in May. They concern pacemakers, orthopedic devices, radiofrequency ablation system, vagus nerve stimulator and some other devices.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) published new set of decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices in April. They concern orthopedic prostheses, neurostimulators and some other devices.

In February, HAS published a set of decisions about add-on reimbursement of medical devices that were evaluated by the National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS). These decisions concern cardiac pacemakers, devices for aortic root replacement, orthopedic devices (double mobility cups, porous high-density polyethylene implants) and other devices.

In December, HAS published a set of decisions about add-on reimbursement of medical devices that were evaluated by the National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS). These decisions concern respiratory prostheses for total laryngectomy, mandibular advancement devices, some cardiovascular devices (transcutaneous bioprosthetic aortic heart valve, ventricular assist device, etc.) and other devices.

The meeting Improvement of Patient Quality of Life and Access to Innovation: Two Priorities in Medical Device Evaluations was organized by HAS on 24th of November to discuss evaluation principles of medical devices in France with manufacturers. In connection to the meeting new and updated policy documents were released.

In the second half of November, French HAS published new set of decisions for add-on reimbursement: four positive decisions for orthopedic medical devices, two negative decisions for coronary stents and two positive decisions for cochlear implant and kit for wheelchair.

In the first half of November, HAS published a set of decisions about add-on reimbursement of medical devices that were evaluated by the National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS). These decisions concern orthopedic devices (double-mobility cup, meniscal repair system), electrodes for radiofrequency ablation, portable oxygen concentrator, drug–coated balloons and other devices.