In-vitro diagnostics

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on October 1, 2023. The most significant changes concern the introduction of the new EBM codes for several IVD tests, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography, as well as for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in vestibular schwannomas.

In September 2023, the Health Sciences Institute in Aragon (IACS) is working on several HTAs, including evaluations in diagnostic imaging, endocrine, IVD, neuromodulation, orthopedics, peripheral vascular, and some other fields.

In September 2023, the following method assessments were initiated as a part of a framework for the managed introduction of innovations "New Methods" for cardiovascular, e-health, endocrine, gastrointestinal, IVD, men’s health, neurology and neurosurgery, neuromodulation, robotic surgery, and some other fields.

At early September 2023, the new version of the classification of procedure codes (CCAM v.73) was published. Several changes were introduced, including the creation of two permanent codes, one provisionally registered code, and three new grouping codes for 280 dental procedures.

In September 2023, several ongoing mini-HTA assessments for e-health, gastrointestinal, IVD, neurology and neurosurgery, peripheral vascular, pulmonary and airways, and some other fields are evaluated as a part of a framework for the managed introduction of innovations "New Methods" in Norway.

In September 2023, the Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AVALIA-T) is working on several HTAs, including the evaluations in the cardiovascular, e-health, endoscopy, extracorporeal treatment, ICU/OR, nephrology and urology, IVD, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, peripheral vascular, pulmonary and airways, surgical procedures, and some other fields.

On August 24, 2023, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) informed that new services for serological diagnostics of Toxoplasma infection will be included in the German Uniform Evaluation Standard (EBM) catalog since October 1, 2023.

In August 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedure Guidance (aortic valve reconstruction with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium for aortic valve disease) and one new Diagnostic Guidance (quantitative faecal immunochemical testing to guide colorectal cancer pathway referral in primary care). Also, five clinical guidelines were updated.

The Essential Levels of Care defines outpatient specialist care and prosthetic care guaranteed to the Italian population. Although the LEA document was brought in 2017, the national tariffs for outpatient specialist and prosthetic care were approved in April 2023. The tariffs for the 2017 LEA catalog (to be in use from January 2024) were updated with the Decree of the Ministry of Health published in the Official Gazette on 4 August 2023

In August 2023, the Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment (OSTEBA) is working on several HTAs, including the evaluations in the cardiovascular, diagnostic imaging, e-health, ENT, ICU/OR, nephrology and urology, IVD, neurovascular, obstetrics and gynecology, surgical procedures, and some other fields.

In early August 2023, the Polish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System (AOTMiT) announced the start of the evaluation of several technologies in men’s health, neuromodulation and in-vitro diagnostics fields.

In June 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published five new Interventional Procedure Guidance (intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy, minimally invasive fusionless posterior-approach surgery to correct idiopathic scoliosis, endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage, radiofrequency denervation for osteoarthritic knee pain, and Botulinum toxin type A injections into the urethral sphincter), two new Diagnostic Guidance (transperineal biopsy for prostate cancer, and FibroScan for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis), and two Medtech Innovation Briefings (MiraQ cardiac TTFM, Proov Confirm; their development started before April 2023). Also, four clinical guidelines were updated.