On April 29, 2021, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) HTA Programme opened NICE Rolling Call for first-stage applications that should meet research recommendations provided by NICE guidance published from 2015 onwards. The first-stage application deadline is September 01, 2021.

The application portal for inclusion in the Health App Directory at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) in Germany has been online since May 27, 2020. The first reimbursable health apps were introduced on the Directory in early October 2020. As of May 27, 2021, a total of 74 applications were received, 51 of which for provisional listing and 23 for final listing. Fifteen applications (20%) were introduced on the Directory.

In April 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (repetitive short-pulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for glaucoma, deep brain stimulation for chronic, severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults, and Melphalan chemosaturation for primary or metastatic cancer in the liver) and two Medtech Innovation Briefings (microINR for anticoagulation therapy and RenalSense Clarity RMS for acute kidney injury), and two clinical guidelines (for atrial fibrillation and chronic pain in over 16s).

In April 2021, the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) initiated several new research projects. The projects are related to IVD tests for early detection of colon cancer, telemedical care in diabetes field, health apps, screening methods, consequences of coronavirus pandemic, and other topics.

On May 6, 2021, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) announced the start of consultations about the design of three co-funded studies for cardiovascular methods in accordance with §137e SGB V.

On May 10, 2021, NICE announced the update of the evidence standards framework (ESF) for digital health technologies with changes in response to an ESF user survey that ran from October to December 2019. Furthermore, NICE launched a new Office for Digital Health to coordinate its digital health activities and strategic projects and manage collaboration with external partners.

The Galician Scientific and Technical Advice Unit in Spain (AVALIA-T) systematically evaluates healthcare technologies and provides decision-makers with critically reviewed information about their efficacy, safety, and effectiveness. Currently, the AVALIA-T is working on assessments of ventricular assist devices in pediatric patients with an indication for permanent destination therapy, bronchial thermoplasty for severe acute asthma, effectiveness and safety of epiduroscopy in the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome, and other topics.

In late April 2021, NHSX released a "2020-21: A year in the life of the NHS AI Lab" report representing NHS Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (AI Lab) achievements and work progress. Among other things, NHSX published results of the 2021 AI in Health and Care Survey, which shows that the diagnostic area remains the most popular for AI-based technologies compared to 2019.

Since 2022, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) implemented four new DRGs for surgical placement and removal of a heart rhythm monitor for reimbursement of the procedure performed by the cardiopulmonary surgeon.

The Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has launched the decisions database on its website.

On May 10, 2021, NHS Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (AI Lab) announced an open call to test AI-driven COVID-19 models using the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database (NCCID), collected over 40,000 X-rays, CT, and MRI images from people with and without coronavirus. The NHS AI Lab is now inviting research institutions and technology companies that develop AI-driven models using COVID-19 chest imaging data. The deadline for applications is May 28, 2021.