In March 2026, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the List of implants and invasive medical devices, effective April 1, 2026. One new material code was introduced for radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules. Nominative lists of brands were updated as well, with new devices added in the cardiovascular, neurovascular, orthopedics, and some other fields.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its EU HTA Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Julian et al. developed a stakeholder-centric framework of key performance indicators to support implementation of the EU HTA Regulation across Europe using a modified Delphi approach.

On March 23, 2026, the Norwegian Directorate of Health released an updated version (v.79) of the Norwegian Laboratory Code (NLK) system, along with associated tariffs, for both state and private laboratories. A total of 63 new codes were added in the biochemistry, microbiology, clinical pharmacology, and immunology fields.

In late February 2026, NHS England updated the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) guidance, following a 2024 review and industry engagement. This simplifies the assessment by introducing a new DTAC form with 25% fewer questions and removing duplication with other processes. The revision also provides clearer guidance on DTAC’s purpose, scope, and how to complete assessments, and aligns the scope with NICE standards, focusing on software-based digital health technologies. The previous version of the DTAC form should not be used after April 6, 2026.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Michels et al. explored how academic literature conceptualizes the role of HTA agencies in governing medical technologies across Europe.

In March 2026, the Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (Avalia-t) is working on several HTAs, including in cardiovascular, dermatology, e-health, gastrointestinal, interventional radiology, robotic surgery, in-vitro diagnostics, peripheral vascular, neurology and neurosurgery, neuromodulation, and some other fields.

Ever wondered what a day in Market Access really feels like? It’s the constant dance between urgent requests, imperfect evidence, and the realities of European reimbursement systems that rarely match corporate ambitions. One moment you're justifying a premium price; the next, you're piecing together models from single-arm studies, hoping they hold up in HTA-driven markets. Along the way, you try to connect payer value with hospital incentives, even when the pieces don’t quite align. Without early, cross-functional strategic thinking, Market Access becomes reactive instead of by design. Read more in our Partner's Blog.

In March 2026, the Decision Forum for the "New Methods" framework made a favorable coverage decision for intermittent negative pressure therapy (FlowOx) for conditions related to reduced blood circulation in the extremities

In March 2026, the HTA body of Tuscany Regional Healthcare released four rapid HTA reports (three new assessments and one reassessment) on medical devices in the cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, interventional radiology, and orthopedics fields.

On 2 March 2026, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced the next phase in the transfer of national commissioning functions, subject to parliamentary approval. From April 2027, integrated care boards (ICBs) will assume responsibility for a broader set of services, including selected specialised services (in addition to those already delegated), most components of screening programs, and public health functions. Following the expected abolition of NHS England in 2027, DHSC will take on the remaining national commissioning responsibilities, including highly specialised services and High Cost devices, as well as maintaining national service specifications and clinical commissioning policies.

On March 6, 2026, the German Bundestag adopted amendments to the hospital reform. The core objectives of the reform remain unchanged: consolidating services, increasing specialization, and thereby improving the quality of healthcare delivery. The adjustments primarily aim to ensure the practical implementation of the measures, with a particular focus on maintaining inpatient care, especially standard and emergency care, in rural areas.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Health Economic Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Xie et al. examined how diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies can better support economic modelling of new diagnostic tests.