Health benefit package

On July 1, 2023, the updated Framework Contract that defines Romania's social health insurance benefit package entered into force. The Framework Contract defines the SHI benefits package, the conditions for providing services and payments. The updated Framework Contract will be valid for the years 2023-2024.

In April 2023, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) published the updated 2023 version of the assessment framework of the "state of science and practice" criteria, including the assessment framework itself, modules with additional explanations for its application, and other information material.

On October 28, 2022, several Resolutions of the General Directorate of the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health and Pharmacy System were published concerning the use of the system for percutaneous repair of the mitral valve with clip, prioritization of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for the provision of glucose monitoring systems, and the use of glucose monitoring system with sensors (flash type) for type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood and adolescence.

On October 19, 2022, it was announced by the Ministry of Health that the 2023 General State Budget in the field of health would comprise €2,746.17 million, which is €199.32 million (7.83%) more than in 2022. The aim is to strengthen the National Health System (SNS) and achieve a more robust, more equitable, and more modern system capable of adapting to the population's health needs.

On February 21, 2022, it was announced by the Ministry of Health that the public consultation regarding the Draft Order amending the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health System (SNS) was open. The amendments and clarifications are related to the fields of in-vitro diagnostics, ENT, pulmonary and airways, e-health, neurology, dental care, radiology, and enteral nutrition.

At the request of the Minister for Medical Care, the Sensible Care program, launched in 2013 by the Dutch Healthcare Institute, is replaced by the Appropriate Care program in order to improve the organization of medical care and optimize health care costs in the Netherlands. The ongoing 29 projects under the Sensible Care program will continue in the context of the Appropriate Care program.

On August 11, 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published the assessment of Oncotype DX®. The assessment was conducted to confirm whether the test complies with the criteria of "science and practice" to determine if it can be reimbursed under the basic health insurance package. In conclusion, the test can be reimbursed under the basic health insurance package.

Earlier this year, the Spanish authorities introduced endobronchial valves for persistent air leakage into the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health System. This decision was based on the reports (HTA report and monitoring study) by the Evaluation Unit of the Canary Islands Health Service (SESCS). On July 22, 2021, the Resolution outlining the conditions for the provision of the service was published.

On June 30, 2021, the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System has approved the inclusion of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM) systems in the Common Package of Benefits for adult patients meeting certain criteria. The inclusion of rt-CGM devices in the Common Package of Benefits means that these devices are now guaranteed to the defined population nationwide.

In Sensible Care projects, the Dutch Healthcare Institute, together with other parties, is investigating the possibilities for improving care pathways for patients. As of early November 2020, there are 30 ongoing projects, including two projects for assessing knee and hip osteoarthritis treatment and medicines for castration-refractory prostate carcinoma at the final evaluation phase.

At the beginning of August 2019, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) has published an Overview of the applications of healthcare products and activities for conditional entry into the Basic Insurance Package. Two applications for heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer and GAG therapy in bladder pain syndrome were considered.

At the beginning of June 2019, the National Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) has published an Overview of the healthcare services, which were excluded or included with restrictions into Basic Insurance Package. Percutaneous liver perfusion with melphalan in patients with metastases from a uveal melanoma was included with restrictions, whereas CardioMEMS PA Monitoring was included in the context of research only.