Funding

On December 2, 2024, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health published the changes that will occur to the Healthcare Benefit Ordinance (KLV/OPre), which determines coverage of medical services in Switzerland. The updates will enter into force on January 1, 2025, and they relate to the list of explicitly evaluated services (Annex 1 of KLV/OPre), outpatient-before-hospital services (Annex 1a), List of Tools and Equipment (Annex 2), and the List of Analyses (Annex 3).

On October 01, 2024, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) published the second release of the 2025 DRG package (RZ25b), which implemented a new procedure code for supporting joint decision-making in outpatient specialist care and supplementary payment proactive planning of palliative care.

In September 2024, it was announced by the Danish Regions that according to the budget agreements for 2025, all regions have prioritized money to strengthen the local healthcare system (primary care) and ensure a robust hospital system and a continued high level of activity.

On June 18, 2024, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health published the changes that will occur to the Services Ordinance (KLV/OPre), which determines coverage of medical services in Switzerland. The updates will enter into force on July 1, 2024, and they relate to the list of explicitly evaluated services (Annex 1 of KLV/OPre), outpatient-before-hospital services (Annex 1a), List of Tools and Equipment (Annex 2), and List of Analyses (Annex 3).

On January 23, 2024, the Ministry of Health introduced a new national catalog, which guarantees the Spanish population's genetic tests nationwide. Currently, the catalog includes 672 tests in eight disease areas, including adult and pediatric oncohematology, pharmacogenomics, hereditary metabolic and mitochondrial diseases, and others. Twelve more disease areas are expected to be added in 2024.

In December 2023, the Government, Danish Regions, and Municipalities (KL) signed an agreement providing 500 million DKK from 2023 to 2028 to promote the spread of digital treatment services. This will include technologies for home monitoring and targeted control for patients with chronic diseases (such as diabetes, COPD, and heart failure), thus reducing the number of physical check-ups and preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.

On November 29, 2023, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health published the changes that will occur to the Services Ordinance (KLV/OPre), which determines coverage of medical services in Switzerland. The updates will enter into force on January 1 or July 1, 2024, and they relate to the list of explicitly evaluated services (Annex 1 of KLV/OPre), outpatient-before-hospital services (Annex 1a), List of Tools and Equipment (Annex 2), and List of Analyses (Annex 3).

Continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) for adults with type 1 diabetes have been evaluated within the "New Methods" framework since June 2023. In November 2023, a simplified method assessment report was published. On December 11, 2023, the Decision Forum for "New Methods" recommended introducing rtCGM and FGM.

The Danish government granted the Danish Regions an additional 300 million DKK to strengthen cancer care in 2024. From 2025, the government confirmed permanent annual funding of 600 million DKK for “Cancer Plan V”, expected to be published by Autumn 2024.

In late October 2023, the UK Government announced £100 million funding for the “AI Life Sciences Accelerator Mission”. The Mission will advance and expand the use of AI in life sciences and tackle the country’s major health challenges outlined by Life Sciences Vision.

In November 2023, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced the budget reduction for reimbursement of clinical laboratory services by 15% from January 2024. INAMI-RIZIV considers this reimbursement still sufficient and will reallocate released funds to other projects in health care. The reduction will not impact molecular biological and genetic testing.

In November 2023, the Danish Regions announced the launch of a national telemedicine solution for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The telemedicine platform Telma, developed by regions and municipalities, comprises a software application for patients connected to devices measuring patients' clinical parameters (such as blood oxygen), which clinicians then assess remotely.