Mini-method assessment regarding the treatment of lymphedema with lymph node transplantation after breast cancer treatment was initiated by Oslo University Hospital in June 2019. The finalized mini-method evaluation will be published in the National Database for Mini-HTA.

Notification to the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AFMPS) is a condition for obtaining reimbursement of compulsory medical insurance for implants and invasive medical devices for long-term use. Only devices that meet the notification requirements will be eligible for health care insurance.

In May 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new diagnostics guidance for Lead-I ECG devices for detecting symptomatic atrial fibrillation using single time point testing in primary care, three new interventional procedure guidance (for therapeutic hypothermia for acute ischaemic stroke, collagen paste for closing an anal fistula, and percutaneous mitral valve leaflet repair for mitral regurgitation), two new Medical technologies guidance, and three new MedTech innovation briefings (for SEM Scanner for pressure ulcer prevention, Peezy Midstream for urine collection,and DuraGraft for preserving vascular grafts).

Seminars on hospital reimbursement system for the Netherlands and Russia were added to the online school, as well as the webinar for the Austrian system. MTRC online school is the most cost-effective way to learn about reimbursement systems in a structured way.

The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has investigated whether patients suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma have (better) chances of recovery in case of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. IQWiG concluded that the benefit of allogeneic SCT is unclear.

In mid-May 2019, the network of European HTA agencies, EUnetHTA, announced the final plan of the project OTCA18 “Regional hyperthermia for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma treatment.”

The report presents a summary of the reimbursement situation for selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in Europe. Different types of microspheres for SIRT are covered in the report, including those use the radionuclide yttrium-90 and based on the radionuclide holmium-166. 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 French National Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in May 2019 concern various types of devices, including orthopedic, cardiovascular and diabetes devices.

The report presents a summary of the reimbursement situation for bronchial thermoplasty in severe bronchial asthma in Europe. The only reimbursement within public / statutory health insurance systems is considered. 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 report presents a summary of the reimbursement situation for procedures of embolization of peripheral vessels (uterine fibroid, prostate, liver, arteriovenous malformations) in Europe. The report covers particles and fluid agents. 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 Norway, the mini-HTA for above cuff vocalization for patients, who are not able to speak due to tracheostomy, was released in June 2019. The method was determined as efficient, safe, and was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital with further monitoring.

In Sweden, Skåne Region develops knowledge base and prepares questions for decisions on the introduction of evidence-based health and medical care throughout Region Skåne. In May of 2019, there are two ongoing projects for fast track for rapid diagnostic for giant cell arteritis and the impact of daily rhythm lighting on patients in psychiatric full-time care. The final reports are going to be published at the web-site of Skåne Region.