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, Spineli critically examined limitations of the AMSTAR 2 appraisal tool, which is used to assess the methodological quality of systematic literature reviews.

In February 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new HealthTech Guidances (HTGs) on transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation, leadless cardiac pacemakers for bradyarrhythmia, and pulmonary artery pressure technologies for remote monitoring of chronic heart failure. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) develops HealthTech Guidance (HTG) to evaluate HealthTech products (such as diagnostics, medical devices, and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence) and interventional procedures. The program focuses on assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of HealthTech products and the safety and efficacy of interventional procedures. NICE uses a lifecycle approach for HTG, reflecting the development stage of technology: Early use (innovative technologies with potential to address NHS unmet needs but insufficient evidence); Routine use (innovative technologies with sufficient evidence for widespread NHS adoption); Existing use (assess technologies in widespread use in the NHS to inform commissioning and procurement decisions). NICE generally makes four types of recommendations: “Can be used” is the most favorable recommendation, meaning routine NHS use; “Can be used during the evidence generation period” – recommendation is conditional on evidence generation; “More research is needed” – limits the use to research settings only; “Should not be used”. The exception is existing use HTG, which recommends whether any technology should be used over other similar technologies in widespread NHS use, and what to consider when choosing between them. Recommendations are not binding, although they are typically followed by providers and commissioners. In February 2026, NICE released three new HTGs: Transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation for symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation is recommended during the evidence generation period as an option to treat symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation when open surgical tricuspid valve repair or replacement is high risk, and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair is unsuitable. More research is needed on the procedure before it can be used in the NHS when open surgical tricuspid valve repair or replacement is not high risk, or transcatheter tricuspid valve repair is suitable. Leadless cardiac pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmias received different recommendations based on the indications: • The procedure can be used as an option for right ventricular pacing alone for bradyarrhythmia; • When transvenous pacing is unsuitable, the procedure can be used during the evidence generation period for dual-chamber pacing or right atrial pacing alone for bradyarrhythmia; • When transvenous pacing is suitable, more research is needed on the procedure for dual-chamber pacing or right atrial pacing alone for bradyarrhythmia. Routine-use HTG on pulmonary artery pressure technologies for remote monitoring of chronic heart failure made the following recommendations: • CardioMEMS HF System (by Abbott) can be used as an option for remote monitoring of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 3 chronic heart failure in adults at risk of hospitalization who are able to use the technology (with the help of a carer if necessary) and willing to adjust medication as directed; • More research is needed (on the clinical effectiveness, the short-term impact of the technology on quality of life, and defining which groups of people the technology is most suitable for) on the Cordella Pulmonary Artery Sensor System and the Cordella Heart Failure System (by Endotronix/Edwards Lifesciences) for remote monitoring of NYHA class 3 chronic heart failure in adults before it can be funded by the NHS. See the full details here. This news is just one of about 300 market access news collected by our team in the premium subscription service Market Access Monitor every week from more than 80 organizations. Access our paid service to stay on top of all developments specifically for your products in Europe (reimbursement news) and globally (HTA news). Access is organized as an online Database and email alert formats. Contact us to get a free, three-month, no-obligation trial.

The application window for changes in the Swiss Classification of Surgical Operations (CHOP) will open on June 1, 2026. Interested parties can submit applications until September 14, 2026. The announcement of the 2026 CHOP application period resumes the application process, which was cancelled for the year 2025.

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, Santos et al. systematically reviewed and mapped 26 frameworks for the economic evaluation of digital health technologies (DHTs) to identify methodological inconsistencies and inform more robust standards.

A new version of the Nomenclature of Medical Biology Procedures (NABM 102), effective from March 3, 2026, was published in France. Changes include the introduction of one new code and the deletion and modification of several codes.

In Germany, digital health applications (DiGAs) that can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and reimbursed by statutory health insurers are listed in the Directory of Digital Health Applications maintained by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). As of February 23, 2026, a total of 61 apps are available in the Directory and thus eligible for reimbursement.

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, Dang et al. reviewed the implementation of Joint Clinical Assessments under the EU HTAR (Regulation 2021/2282), analyzing methodological, regulatory, and stakeholder implications across EU Member States.

In January 2026, the HTA body of Tuscany Regional Healthcare published two rapid HTA reports (one new assessment and one reassessment) on medical devices in the cardiovascular and surgical fields.

Our goal at MTRC is to inform the decision-making of our clients and to support their market access activities. Below is a snapshot of our planned activities for the next two weeks. This can help our existing and prospective clients understand the potential scope of our support better. From the week of February 23rd, we plan to work on 16 projects. Review the complete list of planned activities in this post.

On January 30, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK) and Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG) jointly presented the National Cancer Framework Program 2026-2035. It serves as a strategic compass, setting the direction for cancer control and care in Austria over the next ten years, although it is not legally binding. The Program comprises four areas of action, 22 objectives, and 113 measures.

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, Dinnes et al. conducted a methodological review of 45 HTAs (50 review questions) of diagnostic tests to assess how clearly clinical pathways, test claims, and outcomes are specified within existing HTAs.

In February 2026, the Royal Decree was issued, regulating the selective financing procedure for certain health products – specifically, some types of medical aids – covered under the pharmaceutical benefit of the National Health System for non-hospitalized patients, and establishing the margins for their distribution and dispensing. The new regulation will update the old framework in place since 1996, establishing a clear, transparent, and structured system for selective financing and price-setting, with uniform criteria for the inclusion, modification, and exclusion of health products. The regulation will enter into force on July 1, 2026.