Magnetic Resonance Imaging

On August 11, 2024, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) published the preliminary version of the 2024 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 inpatient and outpatient care in Germany.

In February 2023, it was announced that fifty-seven new procedure codes were introduced by the Code Service of the Finnish National Health and Wellbeing Institution (THL). These codes are valid from January 2023. The introduced codes are dedicated to radiology, diagnostic imaging, gastrointestinal, interventional radiology, and some other fields.

In July 2022, the Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) awarded 12 projects under the 2023 Open Round of the Efficiency Research program with a budget intended for funding research into clinical and cost-effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical care.

In Q1 of 2022, Health Technology Wales (HTW) published one MedTech-related guidance on transcranial magnetic stimulation in depression treatment. A total of eleven Topic Exploration Reports (TERs) were released in Q1. Based on the TERs conclusions, HTW's Assessment Group decided to proceed with developing an Evidence Appraisal Report (EAR) and Guidance on one topic only - radiofrequency renal denervation for the treatment of resistant hypertension.

In the middle of May 2020, Västra Götaland HTA-Centre published an HTA on magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy in patients with cancer aiming to assess whether the studied method improves treatment results compared to current methods. It was concluded that the new technique might be associated with a higher proportion of treatment sessions reaching target coverage goals and a lower number of treatment sessions with violations of organs at risk constraints. However, the extent of improvement varied substantially between studies, and the certainty of the evidence is low.

The HTA center of Swedish Västra Götaland region is aimed to work for the continuous development of knowledge-based care in the region and ensure that healthcare is supported by science and evaluation. Currently, Västra Götaland HTA-Centre works on several HTA projects related to medical procedures or devices: alertness therapy, MRI linac, and investigation, and treatment of PANS / PANDAS. After completion of assessments, the final reports would be released on the website of Västra Götaland region.

In Norway, the mini-HTA for magnetic technology (Magseed) for breast lesions was released in February of 2018. The method was determined as efficient, safe and was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in ambulatory settings. Both MRI with and without contrast are considered. All procedure codes will be provided in the analysis. When fee for service payment model is used, all fees for available reimbursement codes will be provided. The analysis covers procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy restrictions in 11 EU countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.