Reimbursement

New material code for the dynamic hip system was added to the List of reimbursable devices of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) in January 2019.

The Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) group develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England. In October/November 2018, five new procedure codes for laser correction of refractive error following non-refractive ophthalmic surgery, insertion of urethral catheterization device, injection of botulinum toxin for hyperhidrosis, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy have been added to the CCSD Schedule.

On December 27, 2018, the Belgian Official Gazette was updated. The update brought changes in chapter VIII of the Nomenclature, regarding the changing of the coding for flow reserve measurement.

Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) has released key features of the DRG package for 2020, including complex chronic lung failure, stem cell transplant care and indexation of DRG tariffs.

Curafutura, an association of health insurance companies in Switzerland, started the initiative to change the current outpatient pricing structure (TARMED) in 2016. In late 2018, they let the public know that the new tariff structure for ambulatory medical benefits is almost ready to be submitted to the Federal Council.

Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) released changes in coverage of medical procedures, IVD tests and medical aids in Switzerland. They include extension of coverage for neonatal screening to severe congenital immunodeficiencies, extension of coverage under restrictions for TAVI, gene test for breast cancer, PET, PET / CT, local superficial hyperthermia during tumour treatment, external defibrillator and coverage for sub-urethral tapes for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. Also, changes in the coverage for neonatal screening were introduced.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in December 2018 concern various types of devices (orthopedic, neurostimulators, drug-coated balloon and others). The decisions were brought for ten (10) medical devices.

On November 30, 2018, the DRG-regulating body in Switzerland, SwissDRG, has notified the public that the tariff version of SwissDRG 8.0/2019 has been published.

Changes will be made in sixteen chapters of Nomenclature. In relation to medical technologies and in-vitro diagnostics, the most important changes include creation of new codes for ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, clinical biology and genetic examinations.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in November 2018 concern various types of devices. The decisions were brought for twenty-two (22) medical devices.

In late November 2018, the Belgian Healthcare Knowledge Center (KCE) published a report with the title “Optimisation of RIZIV – INAMI lump sums for incontinence.” The primary aim of this report is to analyze the adequacy of the current payment model. The report was requested by the National Institute for Sickness and Disability Insurance (RIZIV-INAMI).

At the end of September of 2018, the National Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) has published an Overview of the healthcare activities, which were excluded or included with restrictions into Basic Insurance Package.