Switzerland

Within the framework of the Federal HTA program, the benefits currently paid under the compulsory health insurance are being reevaluated. On the 4th of September, 2019, the health technology assessment of arthroscopy of the knee, developed by the Swiss Medical Board on behalf of the Federal Ofice for Public Health, has been published.

On July 31, 2019, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office (UFS) has published the list of CHOP procedure codes, version 2020, which are used for procedure coding and in the DRG system for reimbursement of hospistal services.

Technical overviews include details of application processes for procedure codes and payments (e.g. DRG), inclusion into health benefit catalogs. Overviews are available as presentations in Acrobat PDF.

Explanation about the coding of selective intravascular radiotherapy (SIRT) with microspheres labeled with holmium-166, and of creation of intracardiac septal defect with implantation of an interauricular implant (percutaneous transluminal) in Switzerland was released by SwissDRG on July 26, and July 31, 2019, respectively.

On July 12, 2019, the Swiss Medical Tariff Commission (MTK/CTM), announced that the new tariff structure for the ambulatory sector, TARDOC, is ready to replace TARMED. The Medical Professional Association (FMH) and curafutura, the other involved partners, delivered TARDOC to the Federal Council for approval. The entry into force is scheduled for January 1, 2021.

On June 6, 2019, the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) has changed the Services Ordinance (OPre/KLV), which determines coverage of health care services in Switzerland. The changes regard mostly the reimbursement rules for various services. Furthermore, there are updates regarding the Health Insurance Law (LAMal/KVG), List of Analyses, List of Medical Aids and Equipment, and clinical coding.

On 17th June 2019, the company in charge of the development of the DRG system in Switzerland, SwissDRG SA, has announced the catalog version of SwissDRG 9.0/2020 (2017/2020). Eleven days later, the planning version of SwissDRG (2018/2020) has been published as well.

Between the 3rd of June and the 15th of July, SwissDRG will be receiving the requests/suggestions regarding the DRG system in the country.

The report includes all published reimbursement decisions for IVD tests in 2018 in European countries with established frameworks for out-patient reimbursement laboratory tests (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland).

The report includes an overview of funding framework and all (as of May 2019) decisions from ultimate payers and decisions makers in England (NHS England, one CCG), Germany (G-BA), Netherlands (Zorginstituut Nederland), Norway (“New Methods” framework) and Switzerland (Federal Office of Public Health). More than 1000 decisions are included.

The Swiss innovation agency, InnoSuisse, reminds that the deadline for the application for financing of truly innovative projects is May 20, 2019. The Swiss Federal Council has ensured additional funding of CHF 24 million for 2019 and 2020 for the “Impulse digitalization programme.”

On March 15, 2019, the Swiss Medical Board published two appraisal reports: “Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery for radical prostatectomy” and “Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery versus conventional laparoscopic surgery for simple or radical hysterectomy.”