Germany

On October 27, 2022, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) published the final version of the 2023 OPS procedure coding classification. The OPS, together with the ICD-10-GM (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, German Modification), forms the basis for the reimbursement systems in outpatient and inpatient care in Germany.

On October 28, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) reported that 231 applications were received for innovation funding of healthcare research projects.

On October 17, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) published the decision, recommending the transfer to standard care for another completed project. The project relates to the improvement of the management of cancer patients.

In late September – early October 2022, 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 sickness funds.

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on October 1, 2022. The most significant changes concern introducing the EBM codes for several IVD tests and a new service in artificial insemination.

On September 26, 2022, the health app “Rehappy” was delisted from the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).

On September 14, 2022, the Evaluation Committee published a preliminary (so-called announcement) decision on the further development of the German Uniform Evaluation Standard (EBM) catalog, which regulates the reimbursement of services in the public outpatient sector in Germany and is updated once a quarter (four times a year).

On September 1, 2022, 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 2023. The deadline for the submission of applications is October 31, 2022.

On August 11, 2022, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) announced that two new services in the in-vitro diagnostics field in lung and colon cancer, respectively, will be reimbursed via the German Uniform Evaluation Standard (EBM).

On July 14, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) published the decisions, recommending the transfer to standard care for two completed projects. The projects relate to the improvement of sepsis management.

In May-July 2022, 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.

On June 27, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) published the determined funding priorities for healthcare research projects (seven topics) and clinical guidelines (four topics).