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News and blog posts

29
Jun 2020

New coverage decisions in Switzerland

On June 23, 2020, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced several changes in the coverage of benefits that will take place soon. They regard transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), adjustments in the List of Aids (EMAp/MiGeL) (including reimbursement for CPAP devices and mechanical ventilation at home, and adjustments in the List of Analyses (AL/EA).
29
Jun 2020

MTRC released report about Med Tech and IVD health technology assessment (HTA) activity in Europe in 2019

The report summarizes information about HTA activity in 12 European countries (+EUnetHTA), including 51 HTA organizations. Data for all non-pharmaceutical published HTAs in 2019 are reported. In total, 256 reports are reported (in 2018, 337 reports were released by the same organizations). The largest number of reports were published in England (108 reports, 42%), Sweden (34 reports, 13%) and Spain (26 reports, 10%). All reports are classified using 31 technological groups. The most common types of technologies covered by HTA reports were in-vitro diagnostic (38 reports, 15%) and cardiovascular (25 reports, 10%) ones.
26
Jun 2020

The reimbursement of COVID-19 PCR testing to be reduced in Germany

The reimbursement for PCR tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 will be reduced from €59.00 to €39.40 per test starting from July 1, 2020, and the billing of the examination will be limited to five times in the case of treatment. This decision was made by the extended evaluation committee on June 10, 2020.
25
Jun 2020

Devices and apps for people with cystic fibrosis

From June 2020, NHS England will provide patients with cystic fibrosis and those recovering from coronavirus with devices and apps so physicians can track their condition remotely as part of the NHS drive to deliver connected, assisted, personalized care to more individuals in their own homes.
24
Jun 2020

Consultations on highly specialized medical treatments ongoing in Switzerland

The Swiss cantons are required to jointly draw up a plan for the provision of highly specialized medical treatments (MHS). Until September 2020, the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors is discussing whether complex gynecological tumors, pediatric oncology, bariatric surgery, highly specialized pediatric surgery, and other areas of care should enter the MHS.
23
Jun 2020

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of several conditions assessed in Spain

In 2019, the Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) assessed the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of fibromyalgia, peripheral vascular disease, neurological disease, and others. The report was published online in 2020. The previous assessment, performed in 2018, was related to the use of HBOT in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
22
Jun 2020

Magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy assessed in Swedish Västra Götaland region

In the middle of May 2020, Västra Götaland HTA-Centre published an HTA on magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy in patients with cancer aiming to assess whether the studied method improves treatment results compared to current methods. It was concluded that the new technique might be associated with a higher proportion of treatment sessions reaching target coverage goals and a lower number of treatment sessions with violations of organs at risk constraints. However, the extent of improvement varied substantially between studies, and the certainty of the evidence is low.
19
Jun 2020

New online diabetes support launched by NHS England

On June 9, 2020, NHS England announced new online services for diabetes patients. This remote support will supplement the appointments of patients, many of whom have been going on during the pandemic, via video or telephone consultations, and more recently in protected areas under COVID.
17
Jun 2020

Change in the reimbursement of medical aids in Switzerland

On May 27, 2020, the Federal Council adopted the modification of the Insurance Law (KVG/LAMal) on the reimbursement of medical aids and equipment. In the future, health insurers will have to bear the costs of the medical material regardless of whether it is used directly by the insured person, by a non-professional person, or by the nursing staff.
16
Jun 2020

Specialized high-cost tariff-excluded devices (HCTED) program: Impact of the COVID19

NHS England is advising a temporary pause on any new migrations to the central supply route for high-cost tariff-excluded devices (HCTEDs) so that NHS suppliers can devote maximum operational effort to the COVID-19 action plan. If an NHS provider wants to complete an HCTED category migration, they will address this with their respective implementing manager for the NHS Supply Chain.