Telemedicine

In late October 2023, the UK Government announced £100 million funding for the “AI Life Sciences Accelerator Mission”. The Mission will advance and expand the use of AI in life sciences and tackle the country’s major health challenges outlined by Life Sciences Vision.

In November 2023, the Danish Regions announced the launch of a national telemedicine solution for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The telemedicine platform Telma, developed by regions and municipalities, comprises a software application for patients connected to devices measuring patients' clinical parameters (such as blood oxygen), which clinicians then assess remotely.

n the period of April-May 2023, the Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AVALIA-T) initiated the five health technology assessments referred to IVD, nephrology and urology, obstetrics and gynecology, pulmonary and airways as well as surgical procedures technology groups. The assessments on stereotactic virtual navigation system for percutaneous puncture as well as tumor ablation and invasive telemonitoring of pulmonary pressure in patients with heart failure were released.

On March 31, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Prevention published the Decree in the Official Journal of the French Republic that defines an application process for the early coverage of digital medical devices for therapeutic purposes and medical telemonitoring by health insurance.

In February 2023, the Scottish Health Technology Group, SHTG, released three MedTech-related assessments: selective internal radiation therapies (SIRT) for treating primary hepatocellular carcinoma, Feeling Good app, store-and-forward teledermatology for triage of primary care referrals.

On January 25, 2023, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) published the decisions, recommending the transfer to standard care for another two completed projects. The projects relate to the improvement of the management of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) patients and the aftercare of pediatric patients suffering from chronic pain.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, Health Technology Wales published three MedTech-related guidance (Left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with atrial fibrillation, continuous topical oxygen therapy, and virtual reality distraction therapy). Four Topic Exploration Reports were released as well (virtual wards, genetic testing for prostate cancer, autofluorescence imaging, and geniculate artery embolization); however, Health Technology Wales decided not to proceed with complete appraisals on these topics.

In November 2022, the Danish Health Data Agency (Sundhedsdatastyrelsen) published the DRG tariffs, as well as psychiatric and rehabilitation rates for 2023. Later, on December 1, 2022, the DRG tariff system (Takstsystem) guide for 2023 was also published. Among other changes, nine new DRGs, specifically in ENT, e-health, neurology and neurosurgery, ophthalmology, intensive care and OR, cardiovascular, and IVD fields, were introduced.

On August 01, 2022, Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) launched a new reimbursement framework for remote medical consultations. The Nomenclature was changed accordingly: a new article 37, “Remote care,” was introduced with four new codes and fees for video and telephone consultations by physicians.

In July 2022, the Finnish Coordinating Center for Health Technology Assessment (FinCCHTA) published on its website five Digi-HTAs in the fields of eHealth and in-vitro diagnostics.

On June 17, 2022, INAMI announced the launch of a new reimbursement framework for remote medical consultations from August 01, 2022. The reimbursement for remote consultations was first introduced during the COVID-19 crisis via "teleconsultation" codes, which will now be terminated and replaced by other Nomenclature codes for telephone and video consultations. Physicians will receive a higher fee for video consultations.

On June 7, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) published the overview of the 32 innovative healthcare research projects that will be funded, including those belonging to the eHealth technology group.