News and blog posts
13
May 2021
At the beginning of April 2021, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation released the final report on key results of 2020 and main targets for 2021. One of the key achievements is the increased number of medical organizations licensed to conduct high-end medical care (reached 629, including 141 federal centers).
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12
May 2021
The Agency for Health Technology Assessment of Andalusia Autonomous Community in Spain (AETSA) systematically evaluates healthcare technologies and provides decision-makers with critically review information about their efficacy, safety, and effectiveness. Currently, the AETSA is working on assessments of laser-induced heat therapy in epilepsy surgery, stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of refractory ventricular tachycardia, implantable Holter monitor with ILink Online technology for prolonged cardiac monitoring, and other topics.
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11
May 2021
In late April and early May 2021, three 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, fifteen health apps are now available at the DiGA Directory.
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10
May 2021
The HTA body of the Tuscany Regional Healthcare issues two types of documents: HTA forms and motivational forms. With a regional decree 6462 of April 21, 2021, Tuscany Regional Healthcare has published assessments of six medical devices of various therapeutic areas, including devices for the treatment of vaginal prolapse, cardiovascular conditions, an implant for vocal cord rehabilitation, and a cerebral embolic protective device.
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07
May 2021
The Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) is currently evaluating the implementation of the position on Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) published in 2019. The publication of the results of the first interim assessment is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021.
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06
May 2021
The Treatment Council (Behandlingsråd) is a new model for assessing treatment methods and health technologies, expected to become fully operational during 2021. The first meeting of the Treatment Council is planned to be conducted in May 2021. On April 15, 2021, the method and process frameworks of the Treatment Council (Behandlingsråd) were sent for consultation to the parties who have previously submitted consultation responses regarding these documents.
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05
May 2021
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI/TAVR) in severe aortic stenosis treatment across all surgical risk groups was being evaluated within the "New Methods" framework since 2019. On April 26, 2021, the Decision Forum for "New Methods" made a positive coverage decision for TAVI/TAVR to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis across all surgical risk groups.
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04
May 2021
In April 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 0176 and 0073 with changes to be implemented not later than August 01, 2021. Four new procedure codes related to men's health and breast surgery and one new companion diagnostic code were introduced.
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03
May 2021
On April 22, 2021, the List of reimbursable implants and invasive medical devices, maintained by the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI), was updated with the corresponding Nominative lists of brand-specific devices. Two new Nominative lists with reimbursable devices used for peripheral vascular interventions were introduced.
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30
Apr 2021
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently developing health technology assessments concerning eHealth technologies in its Medical Technologies Guidance, Diagnostic Guidance, and Medtech Innovation Briefing programs. As of late April 2021, there are thirteen ongoing assessments.
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29
Apr 2021
On April 20, 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published an annual report on the progress of the conditional reimbursement program. In 2020, there were 13 ongoing projects under the program, six of which concerned medical technologies. Furthermore, in 2020, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular syndrome in lumbar disc herniation was included in the basic insurance package as regular care.
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28
Apr 2021
Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) develops national HTA guidelines to support decision-making in Ireland. In the first quarter of 2021, Health Information and Quality Authority published only one assessment on the topic of Extended Interval Screening by the Diabetic RetinaScreen Programme.
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