In March 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new interventional procedure guidance (for Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir (modified continent ileostomy) to restore continence after colon and rectum removal and high-intensity focused ultrasound for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules), and three new MedTech innovation briefings (for system for ruling out coronary artery disease in people with symptoms of stable coronary artery disease, medical imaging software tool for kidney stone evaluation, incision management system for closed surgical incisions).

Norway established in 2013 a framework “New Method” for the introduction of innovations into the health care system through either a national or hospital-based health technology assessment. In this framework, all innovations should undergo HTA before being funded. Currently, 13 ongoing mini-HTA projects are conducted in Norway: robotic-assisted procedures, microwave ablation, and tonsillectomy devices, among others.

In early February 2019, the network of European HTA agencies, EUnetHTA, announced the final report of the project OTCA16 “Bioresorbable Stents for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Indications (coronary artery disease).” In early February 2019, the network of European HTA agencies, EUnetHTA, announced the final report of the project OTCA16 “Bioresorbable Stents for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Indications (coronary artery disease).”

On the Interterritorial Council that took place March 4th, 2019, the Working Plan for the Spanish Network for Health Technology Assessment was agreed and published. The working plan includes 22 health technology assessment reports, 7 monitoring studies, 9 clinical practice guidelines, and 1 evidence-based product.

NHS Digital is launching a pilot to build the process that will enable partner services to connect to NHS login, providing a single way for patients in England to verify their identity and then use the login to access digital health and care services. The five selected partners represent the range of organizations who will connect with NHS login - from large, established organizations to new players in the market. The service will begin its activities in April 2019.

Since 2018 the cost weight for a number of day surgery DRGs has become equal to the cost weight of the relevant hospital DRGs. In 2019 the number of DRGs has been extended, and in total 39 day surgery DRGs are included in the list in 2019.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for capsule endoscopy in ambulatory settings. Indications include gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, malignant neoplasm of small intestine and celiac disease. 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.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Only EVAR for unruptured aneurysm 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.

The Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) wants to contribute to stimulating the right care in the right place by making it possible to deploy e-health applications more broadly. In 2019 NZa will examine the possibilities for declaring e-health with the focus on district nursing and long-term care. Also, a large part of the e-health projects is in the pilot phase and the Dutch ‘Care for Innovation’ organization developed a step-by-step plan for a systematic approach for e-health introduction.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for percutaneous vertebroplasty. The following indications are considered: osteoporosis with pathological fracture, secondary malignant neoplasm of spine (breast cancer). 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.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for cardiac pacemakers. Both single- and dual-chamber pacemakers are 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.

During November-December 2018, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has introduced an organized screening program for the early detection of cervical cancer and initiated consultation procedure for prostate cancer screening.