Reimbursement

The reimbursement for PCR tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 will be reduced from €59.00 to €39.40 per test starting from July 1, 2020, and the billing of the examination will be limited to five times in the case of treatment. This decision was made by the extended evaluation committee on June 10, 2020.

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.

The application portal for inclusion in the directory of digital health apps (DiGA) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has been online since May 27, 2020. The application, which can be submitted only electronically, is the first step for the respective health app to be reimbursed in the future as part of regular care.

In April 2020, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) introduced four new nomenclature codes for stereotactic radiotherapy (Belgian Monitor of April 27, 2020). Physicians also must register data on provided stereotactic radiotherapy series in the specific module of Cancer Registry Foundation.

Thirteen new MELs (DRGs) were introduced into the LKF 2020 model for the inpatient and outpatient settings.

On May 7, 2020, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) announced that antibodies testing for COVID-19 will be reimbursement. The findings of the test must be communicated within 24 hours.

On 10 April 2020, the Reimbursement Commission made changes to the SUT regarding response to the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced procedure codes regarding pandemic care service (including pandemic care service for ICU care and immune plasma supply and application).

Twenty-five new diagnosis codes were implemented and changed in the Austrian version of ICD-10 2020 of the LKF model 2020

The French High Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in April 2020 concern various types of devices, for example, cardiovascular and orthopaedic devices, diabetes management systems, and other types of devices. A total of 15 decisions were made.

The corresponding decision by the (the Federal Joint Committee) of January 16, 2020, was published in the Federal Gazette and came into force on April 9, 2020.

MTRC has summarized the most important DRG changes in Sweden, which came in force in 2020. This includes five new DRGs and other changes in a grouping logic.