Proton therapy

On October 31, 2024, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office (UFS) released the systematic version of the procedure code (CHOP) nomenclature for 2025. The nomenclature is now available in German, Italian, and French languages and will come into force on January 1, 2025. Multiple new procedure codes were introduced in various fields, including endoscopy, extracorporeal treatments, in-vitro diagnostics, interventional radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and radiotherapy.

In the second quarter of 2024, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published four coverage positions on proton therapy in testicular cancer, pulmonary artery pressure remote monitoring in chronic heart failure and neuromodulation in polyneuropathy with positive recommendation for coverage under basic insurance package, and on physiotherapy and exercise therapy in primary care settings for lower back pain, which was not recommended for coverage under the basic insurance package.

On June 18, 2024, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health published the changes that will occur to the Services Ordinance (KLV/OPre), which determines coverage of medical services in Switzerland. The updates will enter into force on July 1, 2024, and they relate to the list of explicitly evaluated services (Annex 1 of KLV/OPre), outpatient-before-hospital services (Annex 1a), List of Tools and Equipment (Annex 2), and List of Analyses (Annex 3).

On October 19, 2022, it was announced by the Ministry of Health that the 2023 General State Budget in the field of health would comprise €2,746.17 million, which is €199.32 million (7.83%) more than in 2022. The aim is to strengthen the National Health System (SNS) and achieve a more robust, more equitable, and more modern system capable of adapting to the population's health needs.

On July 5, 2022, it was announced by the Ministry of Health that the Council of Ministers authorized the tender for the purchase of ten units of equipment for the treatment with proton therapy and associated electromedical equipment for an estimated value of €271 million (VAT included).

On September 16, 2021, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has decided that it would not evaluate the proton therapy in a number of indications, including esophageal cancer and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

At the beginning of September 2021, the Government of the Russian Federation released the preliminary version of the Program of State Guarantees for the period of 2022-2024. Major changes concerned the High-End Medical Care (HEMC) list I, where two new procedures in the cardiovascular and neurovascular field were added. The HEMC list II was expanded with the procedures in the field of radiotherapy, neurology, and neurosurgery, surgical procedures. The final version is expected at the beginning of 2022.

On July 01, 2021, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (covering March 21, 2021 - June 21, 2021). One new Clinical Commissioning Policy related to radiotherapy was published. Three new policies were added to the work program; however, all related to pharmaceuticals only. The status of ongoing policies was updated as well.

On May 17, 2021, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (covering the period January 20, 2021 - April 20, 2021). One new Clinical Commissioning Policy related to radiotherapy was added to the work program, and four new policies related to radiotherapy were published in the period from January 20, 2021, to April 20, 2021. Two policies related to heart valve procedures and extracorporeal treatment were discontinued.

At the beginning of April 2021, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation released the final report on key results of 2020 and main targets for 2021. One of the key achievements is the increased number of medical organizations licensed to conduct high-end medical care (reached 629, including 141 federal centers).

On February 24, 2021, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (covering period November 10, 2020 - February 10, 2021). Two new Clinical Commissioning Policies were added to the work program, and seven new policies were published, including stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and proton therapy. The status of ongoing policies was updated as well.

On January 07, 2021, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (covering the period October 19, 2020 - December 08, 2020). Two new Clinical Commissioning Policies were added to the work program, and six new policies related to radiotherapy, neurosurgery, pulmonology, and in-vitro diagnostics were published.