In July 2020, new subsidy options for medical aids care at home became available within the Dutch program Good use of care at home (GGH). By funding research, the GGH program stimulates knowledge development about the quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of innovative medical aids care at home. The deadline for submitting applications is 6 October 2020.
In March 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute advised the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport to simplify the reimbursement to diabetes care aids. In accordance with this advice, the Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (RT-CGM) and ketone test strips will no longer fall under specialist medical care (MSZ) but will be covered by medical aid care (HMZ). The new scheme is intended to take effect on 1 January 2021.
The French High Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in June 2020 concern various types of devices, including total lumbar disc prostheses, arthroscopic meniscal repair system, vagus nerve stimulation system, and medical aids. A total of 10 decisions were made.
On June 23, 2020, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced several changes in the coverage of benefits that will take place soon. They regard transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), adjustments in the List of Aids (EMAp/MiGeL) (including reimbursement for CPAP devices and mechanical ventilation at home, and adjustments in the List of Analyses (AL/EA).
On May 27, 2020, the Federal Council adopted the modification of the Insurance Law (KVG/LAMal) on the reimbursement of medical aids and equipment. In the future, health insurers will have to bear the costs of the medical material regardless of whether it is used directly by the insured person, by a non-professional person, or by the nursing staff.
The French High Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in May 2020 concern various types of devices, including cardiovascular devices (self-expanding intracranial stents, TAVI), CT navigation kit for CT-guided percutaneous interventions and medical aids. A total of 8 decisions were made.
On March 4, 2020, the List of Analyses (AL/EA) and the Services Ordinance (KLV/OPre) were updated in Switzerland. On April 1, 2020, the KLV/OPre, the AL/EA, and the List of Medical Aids (MiGel/EMAp) will be updated in Switzerland.
The French High Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in January 2020 concern various types of devices, mostly for cardiovascular and orthopaedic devices, and medial aids. A total of 29 decisions were made.
The French National Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in December 2019 concern various types of devices, mostly for cardiovascular devices. A total of five decisions were made.
The French National Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in November 2019 concern various types of devices, including orthopaedic, and cardiovascular devices. A total of twenty-four decisions were made.
In October 2019, the Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) has released an assessment report regarding the evaluation strategies to prevent urinary tract infections associated with urethral/urinary catheters in critical patients in Intensive Care Units. The evidence is not conclusive, but there is scientific evidence that aims for the introduction of review measures for the indication of indwelling urethral/urinary catheters, its use in decubitus, and without kinking.
In Norway, the mini-HTA for intraepidermal nerve fiber density in skin biopsy was released in September 2019. The method was determined as efficient and safe. It was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital with a two-year follow-up to get enough data regarding the diagnostic volume and financial aspects.