In late October 2020, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) has published the final version of the OPS 2021 (Operation and Procedure Keys) system. The OPS, together with the ICD-10-GM (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, German Modification), forms the basis for the reimbursement systems in outpatient and inpatient care.

On October 16, 2020, the Order of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health in relation to the new experiment on reinforced support for the elderly people (DRAD) was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. The experiment offers a solution to elderly people with loss of autonomy who wish to stay at home, for whom "classic" support from home services is not more sufficient.

The Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) is conducting a research project “Framework for reimbursement decisions of digital health technologies (mHealth) and its (retrospective) application on selected examples”. The project started in May 2020, with expected completion in November 2020.

In Sensible Care projects, the Dutch Healthcare Institute, together with other parties, is investigating the possibilities for improving care pathways for patients. As of early November 2020, there are 30 ongoing projects, including two projects for assessing knee and hip osteoarthritis treatment and medicines for castration-refractory prostate carcinoma at the final evaluation phase.

In late October 2020, the Swedish prospective cost-weights for NordDRG 2021 were released by the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen).

In late October 2020, three more reimbursable health apps 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.

On October 14, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) announced the evaluation of personalized medicine and molecular diagnostics for advice on reimbursement under Basic Health Insurance.

NHS England has opened a consultation on the proposed approach to updating the National Genomic Test Directory set out in the consultation document. The deadline for comments submission is November 17, 2020.

The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE) is conducting research towards a faster, substantiated decision on the reimbursement of innovative medical products. The project started in 2019 and is still being conducted.

MTRC maintains two subscription services with a focus on all published, initiated or ongoing HTA and reimbursement reports and decisions for medical devices, procedures and IVD tests. HTA Alerts is a global service and covers 56 organizations from 24 countries. Reimbursement Alerts is focused on 14 key European countries. All alerts are tailed to the technologies of interest for each client. First EU issues of both newsletters are available for download free-of-charge.

On October 14, 2020, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) announced the ongoing update of the submission file guides to support companies who requested reimbursement for medical devices with a system of machine learning (artificial intelligence).

In October 2020, a completed mini-method assessment for the coronary sinus reducer stent (Neovasc) implantation in refractory angina pectoris treatment was published within the New Methods framework. The Oslo University Hospital carried out the evaluation. The technology was recommended for routine use in hospitals.