The report presents a summary of the reimbursement situation for the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in cardiogenic shock in Europe. The following scenarios are considered: use of IABP for treatment of cardiogenic shock in unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction; use of IABP in high-risk PCI for unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. The analysis covers procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy restrictions in 11 EU countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. It is also possible to add analysis in the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Turkey.

In June 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published six new interventional procedure guidance, one new Medical technologies guidance for Endocuff Vision for assisting visualisation during colonoscopy, and two new MedTech innovation briefings (for Danis stent for acute oesophageal variceal bleeds, and The OPTIMIZER smart system for managing heart failure).

The mini-HTA for internal emergency medicine ultrasound in patients with urgent medical conditions was released in July 2019 in Norway. The method was determined as efficient, safe, and was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital.

Predictive Analysis for Therapy (PATH) is a major collaborative project to optimize molecular predictive diagnostics in the Netherlands. The project focuses on the molecular analyses that are important for the treatment choice of cancer patients.

The Danish Health Authority published new codes for the Health Care Classification System in July 2019, including nine surgical codes for ophthalmological and anal fistula procedures, as well as thirteen medical codes. New sub-chapter with supplementary codes to specify the operating technique for eye surgery (KZLD) was implemented.

The report presents a summary of the reimbursement situation for use of hypoglossal nerve stimulation system for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Europe. The analysis will cover adult patients only. The following stages of procedure will be considered for hospital settings: implantation, replacement, removal of hypoglossal nerve stimulation system. The analysis covers procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy restrictions in 11 EU countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. It is also possible to add analysis in the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Turkey.

The NHS Innovation and Technology Payment (ITP) 2019/20 program went live on April 1, 2019, and builds on the Innovation and Technology Tariff (ITT) and ITP 2018/19.

In late June 2019, the Committee on Evaluation and Public Health (CEESP) of the French High Authority for Health (HAS) validated a second, provisional version, updating the methodological guide for the evaluation of effectiveness at the HAS.

On July 12, 2019, the Swiss Medical Tariff Commission (MTK/CTM), announced that the new tariff structure for the ambulatory sector, TARDOC, is ready to replace TARMED. The Medical Professional Association (FMH) and curafutura, the other involved partners, delivered TARDOC to the Federal Council for approval. The entry into force is scheduled for January 1, 2021.

Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor with a low survival rate, usually occurring in late adulthood. The standard treatment consists of surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has examined possible benefits of tumor-treating field (TTF) therapy - new treatment based on electrostimulation in patients with glioblastoma.

In June 2019, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has released an HTA report for prehospital CT for early diagnosis and treatment of suspected acute stroke or severe head injury to evaluate the documentation for clinical efficacy, safety and possible initiation of treatment prior to arrival in hospitals, compared with current hospital practice. Although the mobile stroke unit care increases the number of patients who receive thrombolysis, its efficacy is unknown due to the lack of evidence.