Specialized high-cost tariff-excluded devices (HCTED) program: Impact of the COVID19

NHS England is advising a temporary pause on any new migrations to the central supply route for HCTEDs so that NHS suppliers can devote maximum operational effort to the COVID-19 action plan. If an NHS provider wants to complete an HCTED category migration, they will address this with their respective implementing manager for the NHS Supply Chain.

In April 2016, NHS England Specialised Commissioning introduced a new nationwide purchase and supply system for specific categories of High-Cost Tariff-Excluded Devices (HCTEDs). The new system covers named 'high-cost tariff excluded devices' as set out in the National Tariff Payment System 20/21 (Annex DtA, tab 13a HC Devices).

The list of categories of devices can be seen here.

There are two stages to the HCTED Specialized Commissioning program.

The first is to move all NHS Providers commissioned to provide specialized services in England to a national supply system for the defined HCTED categories. This system will become the obligatory method by which NHS England will fund HCTEDs for use by Providers within the program.

The second phase is designed to optimize the choice of devices across the defined categories to enhance patient outcomes, improve value, deliver cash release, and commissioner savings. In order to achieve this, the Device Working Groups (DWGs) will develop a clinical utilization methodology to reduce unwarranted variation in the wide range of devices available, and the NHS Supply Chain will deliver price reductions in devices purchased. The DWGs will have a role in horizon scanning to accelerate the adoption of new devices demonstrated to add value.

NHS England Specialised Commissioning and NHS Supply Chain are working with NHS Providers to support transfer to the new model and to resolve any issues proactively during implementation. Improved clinical practice and device optimization should be seen in the system, as physicians will be able to choose the best device for the patient from a clinically-evaluated, evidence-based catalog.

See the full details here.

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