In early January 2021, the new reimbursable health app was introduced on the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). These applications can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers.

On January 1, 2021, the DRG package for 2021 (RZ21) came into force to implement measures for remote provision of specialist medical care introduced during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, including four new codes for reimbursement of remote consultations.

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on January 1, 2021. The most significant changes include the increase of the reimbursement base rate and the introduction of many new surcharge fees in the area of radiotherapy services.

On December 23, 2020, NHS England and NHS Improvement published the final document for updating the National Genomic Test Directory (Test Directory), as well as other documents supporting the application process for amendments. The deadline for applications submission for 2021/22 Test Directory is January 31, 2021.

In late December 2020, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has announced funding from the G-BA Innovation Fund of twenty-eight innovative projects on new forms of medical care.

On December 16, 2020, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health issued a few Orders on the registration of certain endoprostheses by Cook Medical in the List of Reimbursable Products and Services (LPPR) for add-on reimbursement. Conditions of reimbursement for vascular endoprostheses were specified.

In December 2020, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation has expanded the Nomenclature of medical services in Russia. Section II of "Nomenclature of medical services" will contain new procedure codes that relate to medical interventions in obstetrics and gynecology.

In December 2020, Swedish Medical Technologies Product (MTP) Council decided to evaluate new technologies for self-monitoring of atrial fibrillation within the Orderly introduction framework. MTP Council commissioned the Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) to perform a health-economic evaluation of Coala Heart Monitor Pro and KardiaMobile; however, other products may also be considered later.

On December 18, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published the detailed application form for the Subsidy Scheme for Promising Care with explanatory notes. The closing date for submitting grant applications is March 2, 2021.

In December 2020, the Norwegian Directorate of Health published a final version of the DRG system (Innsatsstyrt finansiering, ISF) for 2021. The new DRGs cover the endocrine procedures, diabetes, and physical exercise therapy areas.

In December 2020, the law on the reform of the Mandatory Health Insurance system was signed by the President of the Russian Federation. The key changes are related to the role of the Medical Insurance Organizations – the current intermediatory between the Fund for Mandatory Medical Insurance and providers of care. From 2021, the Federal Fund will directly contract and provide financing to federal organizations, for provision of High End Medical Care (part 1 of the HEMC List, focused on care, integrated in the Mandatory Medical Insurance financing scheme).

In late December 2020, three more reimbursable health apps in the fields of management of fatigue, migraine and depression were introduced on the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). These applications can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers.