Netherlands

On January 1, 2021, the DRG package for 2021 (RZ21) came into force to implement measures for remote provision of specialist medical care introduced during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, including four new codes for reimbursement of remote consultations.

On December 18, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published the detailed application form for the Subsidy Scheme for Promising Care with explanatory notes. The closing date for submitting grant applications is March 2, 2021.

On November 3, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) published the critical features of the first release of the DRG package for the 2022 (RZ22a). Sixteen new procedure codes and three new DRG groups will be implemented.

On November 5, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) published the third release of the DRG package for the 2021 (RZ21c) to implement reimbursement for extra beds in intensive care and added the pathway for new optional add-on services (using fast-track decision-making).

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.

On October 14, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) announced the evaluation of personalized medicine and molecular diagnostics for advice on reimbursement under Basic Health Insurance.

On September 30, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) published the position that transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with aortic stenosis and a high risk of surgery is eligible for reimbursement under basic health insurance package.

On September 9, 2020, the Dutch National Authority for Health (NZa) published advice on the implementation of integrated funding for maternity care. The NZa recommends implementation by 2028, the latest.

In late august 2020, the Basic Package Advisory Committee of the Dutch Health Care Institute (ZIN) concluded that Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) complies with the ‘state of the art and science’ and is therefore effective.

The procedure for applying the ‘subsidy scheme for promising care’ is opened again. The period for applying has started on July 22 and will last till September 22, 2020.

The temporary reimbursement for telemedicine and digital care in all healthcare sectors has been extended by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) until December 31, 2020. In some sectors, the temporary extension will be converted into a structural extension by 2021.

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.