Netherlands

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.

On April 20, 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published an annual report on the progress of the conditional reimbursement program. In 2020, there were 13 ongoing projects under the program, six of which concerned medical technologies. Furthermore, in 2020, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular syndrome in lumbar disc herniation was included in the basic insurance package as regular care.

The Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) will accept applications for subsidies under the incentive scheme "eHealth at Home" until the end of 2021. This scheme is intended for digital apps that support the provision of care at home for the elderly and people with chronic illness or disability.

On March 30, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) announced five projects which received a subsidy under the "Subsidy scheme for promising care" in 2021: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and in vivo exposure with response prevention in obsessive-compulsive disorder; MRI-guided laser-induced thermotherapy in glioblastoma; personalized treatment with selective internal radiotherapy in elderly or vulnerable colon cancer patients with liver metastases; structured, multidisciplinary and person-centered intensive care aftercare for patients at risk of health problems; Basophil Activation Test in children with possible IgE mediated cow's milk allergy.

To give researchers more tools to assess healthcare innovations' efficiency and demonstrate the effectiveness of novel technologies, 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.

The Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), Dutch Health Authority (NZa), and Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ), implemented an extension of existing digital healthcare innovation programs called "ZorgZandbak" to demonstrate how digital care could become an integral part of regular care.