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News and blog posts

20
Jul 2020

Change in reimbursement mechanism for diabetes devices in the Netherlands

In March 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute advised the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport to simplify the reimbursement to diabetes care aids. In accordance with this advice, the Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (RT-CGM) and ketone test strips will no longer fall under specialist medical care (MSZ) but will be covered by medical aid care (HMZ). The new scheme is intended to take effect on 1 January 2021.
16
Jul 2020

Corona warning app launched in Germany

The Corona warning app, developed on behalf of the German government, has been available for download in the Google and Apple stores since June 16, 2020. It is intended to help identify and break infection chains at an early stage. Users of the app receive a notification if they have been for a long time in the vicinity of a person who was later found to be infected with the coronavirus.
10
Jul 2020

The new preliminary versions of SwissDRG 2021 published

On 22nd June 2020, the company in charge of the development of the DRG system in Switzerland, SwissDRG SA, has announced the catalog version of SwissDRG 10.0/2021 (2018/2021). Seven days later, the planning version of SwissDRG (2019/2021) has been published as well.
08
Jul 2020

First procedures under the “Subsidy for promising care” scheme in the Netherlands

On June 18, 2020, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) announced four medical procedures which received a subsidy under the new innovative payment scheme: FFRct technique in the diagnosis of patients with chest pain; oral esketamine in patients with severe, non-psychotic, treatment-resistant depression; left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation and endolymphatic duct blockage in patients with uncontrollable Meniere's disease.
07
Jul 2020

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for patients during COVID-19 pandemic

In June 2020, NHS England announced that it is accelerating the use of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) requiring fewer doses than standard radiotherapy, decreasing the number of hospital visits that potentially vulnerable patients need to undergo. It will now be available through the NHS by the end of the current financial year, rather than full rollout by 2022.
03
Jul 2020

Endovenous cyanoacrylate closure system in lower limb varicose veins assessed in Spain

The Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) in Spain analyzed the effectiveness and safety of the endovenous ablation of varicose saphenous veins with cyanoacrylate closure system in patients with moderate to severe chronic venous insufficiency compared to surgical procedures, as of saphenous vein stripping, and other endovenous ablation techniques. In the report, published on the website in 2020, it was outlined that despite the limitations found in selected studies, intravenous sealing with cyanoacrylates seems to be a promising alternative to existing treatments, especially in terms of less use of anesthesia and compression bandage, as well as shorter recovery time.