News and blog posts
03
Aug 2021
On July 1, 2021, the updated Framework Contract that defines the social health insurance benefit package in Romania entered into force. The Framework Contract defines the SHI benefits package, the conditions for providing services and payments. The updated Framework Contract will be valid for the years 2021-2022.
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02
Aug 2021
In July 2021, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England, has published Bulletins 0178 and 0075 with changes to be implemented not later than November 01, 2021. No new procedure codes were introduced. Two new diagnostic codes were introduced.
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30
Jul 2021
On June 30, 2021, it was announced that the Government of Spain, through the Ministry of Health, will invest nearly 400 million euros throughout this year in the development of the High-End Technology Equipment Investment Plan (INVEAT) of the National Health System (SNS). The objectives are to reduce the obsolescence of the current SNS technology park and to raise the average density rate of high-tech equipment per 100,000 inhabitants. The renovation of equipment amounts to 585 units and the expansion to 262.
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29
Jul 2021
In early July 2021, two more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers. In total, nineteen health apps are now available at the DiGA Directory.
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28
Jul 2021
On July 01, 2021, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (covering March 21, 2021 - June 21, 2021). One new Clinical Commissioning Policy related to radiotherapy was published. Three new policies were added to the work program; however, all related to pharmaceuticals only. The status of ongoing policies was updated as well.
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27
Jul 2021
On June 30, 2021, the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System has approved the agreement of the Committee of designation of Centers, Services, and Reference Units (CSUR) for the designation of 21 new CSUR for seven pathologies, including ophthalmological diseases and the renovation of designation of six CSUR for adults with congenital heart disease.
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26
Jul 2021
The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on July 1, 2021. Three biomarker tests in breast cancer, a number of services related to cryopreservation of egg and sperm cells in young cancer patients, new services dedicated to prenatal testing of the fetal rhesus factor, services concerning the delivery of brachytherapy in prostate cancer were introduced.
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23
Jul 2021
On June 30, 2021, the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System has agreed to create the Digital Health Commission aiming to contribute to co-governance with the Autonomous Communities in this matter. The draft "Digital Health Strategy", prepared by the General Secretariat for Digital Health, Information, and Innovation, has been presented to open a process of consultation and observations.
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22
Jul 2021
On June 30, 2021, the Swiss Federal Council announced that the TARDOC outpatient tariff structure, presented by the association of insurers curafutura and the Swiss Medical Association (FMH), cannot be approved at this point. The Federal Council found the TARDOC tariff structure to have many drawbacks. Curafutura released an announcement in which they state that they will continue working on the TARDOC tariff structure and will try to implement as many changes as possible, according to the FOPH recommendations. This means that the TARDOC tariff structure is not likely to be implemented before January 2023.
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21
Jul 2021
On July 7, 2021, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has launched an online database of method evaluations for conceptually new diagnostic and treatment methods (§135 SGB V), diagnostic and treatment methods in hospital settings (§137c SGB V) and within the framework of co-funded studies (§137e SGB V).
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20
Jul 2021
On June 30, 2021, the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System has approved the inclusion of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM) systems in the Common Package of Benefits for adult patients meeting certain criteria. The inclusion of rt-CGM devices in the Common Package of Benefits means that these devices are now guaranteed to the defined population nationwide.
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19
Jul 2021
On June 24, 2021, the list of awarded PHRC and PRME projects, submitted in 2020, was published. A total of 137 PHRC and nine PRME projects were awarded, and they concern various technology groups, such as gynecology, nephrology, neurology, cardiovascular, etc.
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