In-vitro diagnostic tests

In December 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released six MedTech-related reports in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned laser therapy in diabetic macular oedema, EarlyCDT Lung blood test, video-assisted thoracoscopic or open lobectomy, urethral slings for stress urinary incontinence, placental growth factor (PlGF) and sFlt-1 tests, and photobiomodulation in the management of oral mucositis. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.

In January 2023, the updated Pathology Activity Codes (APAT) of the Norwegian Pathology Code system (NORPAT) came into force. Since 2022, APAT codes have been included in the new reimbursement scheme by Helfo (the Norwegian Health Economics Administration) for outpatient pathology services. Five new classified sample materials for cytology and 22 new additional codes for the method of testing were added to the scheme in 2023.

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on January 1, 2023. The most significant changes concern introducing the EBM codes for several IVD tests and further promoting outpatient (day case) surgical services.

In December 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Medical Technologies Guidance (Memokath 051 Ureter stent for ureteric obstruction) and one MedTech Innovation Briefing (PromarkerD). Also, two new clinical guidelines were published, and one was updated.

On December 16, 2022, a decision of the National Union of Health Insurance Funds (UNCAM) relating to the update of the NABM Nomenclature for IVD tests was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. Various changes were introduced, including the inclusion of new codes, modifications of the existing ones, and tariff changes.

On December 16, 2022, a decision of the National Union of Health Insurance Funds (UNCAM) relating to the update of the NABM Nomenclature for IVD tests was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. Various changes were introduced, including the inclusion of new codes, modifications of the existing ones, and tariff changes.

On December 1, 2022, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health published the changes that will occur to the Services Ordinance (KLV/OPre), which determines coverage of medical services in Switzerland. The updates will enter into force on January 1, 2023, and they relate to the list of explicitly evaluated services (Annex 1 of KLV/OPre), outpatient-before-hospital services (Annex 1a), List of Tools and Appliances(Annex 2), and List of Analyses (Annex 3).

On November 23, 2022, the Norwegian Directorate of e-Health released an updated version of the National Laboratory code (NLK) system and associated tariffs for state and private laboratories to be implemented no later than January 1, 2023. Eighty-six new codes were added, 207 codes were changed, and 27 codes were terminated.

On November 17, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Prevention published the Order in the Official Journal of the French Republic on the extension of the national newborn screening by laboratory diagnostics to seven more diseases (inborn errors of metabolism).

In October 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (YAG laser vitreolysis for symptomatic vitreous floaters, transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve for treating and preventing migraine), one Medical Technologies Guidance (Magtrace and Sentimag system for locating sentinel lymph nodes for breast cancer) and three new Medtech Innovation Briefings (O2matic PRO 100, Daylight, Signatera). Also, one new clinical guideline was published on osteoarthritis.

On October 19, 2022, it was announced by the Ministry of Health that the 2023 General State Budget in the field of health would comprise €2,746.17 million, which is €199.32 million (7.83%) more than in 2022. The aim is to strengthen the National Health System (SNS) and achieve a more robust, more equitable, and more modern system capable of adapting to the population's health needs.

On March 16, 2022, NHS England launched a strategy for embedding genomics in the NHS over the next five years. The ambition is to accelerate the use of genomic medicine across the NHS, providing a world-leading, equitable service to populations and individuals.