Germany

In early October 2021, three more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers. In total, 23 health apps are now available at the DiGA Directory.

On September 16, 2021, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has decided that it would not evaluate the proton therapy in a number of indications, including esophageal cancer and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on October 1, 2021. The most significant changes concern mainly IVD tests: extension of the newborn screening, the introduction of microsatellite instability testing, amendments of Oncotype DX® test reimbursement, the introduction of screening for hepatitis B and C as part of health check-up, as well as changes in reimbursement of radiation therapy services.

On September 15, 2021, the Evaluation Committee (Bewertungsausschuss) has decided to introduce in the EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) the new code for Oncotype DX® testing. This change is introduced in the updated EBM version, which was published on October 1, 2021.

In late August 2021, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has announced funding of 52 innovative projects on health care research from the G-BA Innovation Fund.

On August 23, 2021, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has presented an updated draft version (6.1) of its general methods. The interested parties can submit written comments until the deadline of October 4, 2021.

On September 1, 2021, the Institute for Hospital Remuneration Systems (INeK) announced the start of the application process according to §6 (2) KHEntgG (New Examination and Treatment Methods, NUB) for 2022.

On August 16, 2021, the preliminary version of OPS 2022 was published. Numerous content updates and new procedure codes concern chapters 5 “Operations” and 8 “Non-operative therapeutic measures”. Also, minor changes were made in chapters 1, “Diagnostic measures” and 3, “Diagnostic imaging”.New codes were introduced in the peripheral vascular, cardiovascular, nephrology and urology, endoscopy, gastroenterology, otorhinolaryngology, interventional radiology, orthopedics, pulmonary and airways, and other fields of care.

In early July 2021, two more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers. In total, nineteen health apps are now available at the DiGA Directory.

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on July 1, 2021. Three biomarker tests in breast cancer, a number of services related to cryopreservation of egg and sperm cells in young cancer patients, new services dedicated to prenatal testing of the fetal rhesus factor, services concerning the delivery of brachytherapy in prostate cancer were introduced.

On July 7, 2021, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has launched an online database of method evaluations for conceptually new diagnostic and treatment methods (§135 SGB V), diagnostic and treatment methods in hospital settings (§137c SGB V) and within the framework of co-funded studies (§137e SGB V).

On June 19, 2021, two more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers. In total, seventeen health apps are now available at the DiGA Directory.