Netherlands

The Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) will accept applications for subsidies under the "Early Detection" sub-program until March 8, 2022. This scheme is intended for upscaling screening programs or population screening.

The Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), in collaboration with the National Health Care Institute (ZIN), initiated the new HTA Methodology Program for 2021-2024. On November 4, 2021, the ZonMw published the gap analysis of the needs of important stakeholders regarding HTA and formulated recommendations that can provide guidance for the 2021-2024 HTA Methodology Program.

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 February 1, 2022, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) will start accepting project idea applications for rounds 7 and 8 of the Promising Care subsidy scheme that will be awarded in 2023. Round 7 will be opened on February 1, 2022, and round 8 will begin on July 5, 2022.

On August 26, 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) published the fourth release of the DRG package for the year 2021 (RZ21d).

In August 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published the results of research for the assessment of the value of medical innovations at an early phase of development. The Radboud university medical center was commissioned by the ZIN to investigate this question based on a case study for Anatomy Projector. The objective of the research was to answer the question of how the value of medical innovation is explored and expressed in an early phase, i.e., before market access.

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.

On July 13, 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) announced three projects which were awarded under the "Subsidy scheme for promising care" framework. Two projects concerned MedTech - artificial pancreas and knee distraction.

On July 27, 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) will start accepting project idea applications for round 6 of the Promising Care subsidy scheme. The application form for project ideas and the explanation of the application form are available for applicants.

In mid-May 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published an advice "Molecular Diagnostics: determining the position on molecular diagnostics in oncology," which was developed at the request of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The objective of the position is to organize molecular diagnostics within standard regular care and develop a framework for the accessibility and integral implementation of new tests in practice.

Since 2022, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) implemented four new DRGs for surgical placement and removal of a heart rhythm monitor for reimbursement of the procedure performed by the cardiopulmonary surgeon.

The Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) is currently evaluating the implementation of the position on Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) published in 2019. The publication of the results of the first interim assessment is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021.