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.

On February 19, 2019 the new “Catalog of Goods and Services” for the centralized purchasing platform was presented to the regional health authorities by the Minister of Health. This new catalog includes up to 25,000 items, including drugs and health products.

In February 2019, the entity that is in charge of the DRG system in Switzerland, SwissDRG, announced the publication dates of the SwissDRG 9.0/2020 catalog, but also information that concerns the suggestions regarding SwissDRG.

New material code for voice prosthesis was added to the List of reimbursable devices of the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) in March 2019.

In mid-February 2019, the Swiss conference of cantonal healthcare directors (GDK/CDS) has published information about allocation of hospitals for highly complex visceral surgery in the fields of oesophageal, pancreatic and hepatic resections.

Key changes in the Norwegian DRG system in 2019 include novel payment schemes for dialysis treatment, emergency conditions that occur as outpatient or day case, digital services. Pilot DRG payment models will be implemented for selected medical quality registers and selected procedures for contract specialists.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new (32 in total) decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in February 2019 concern various types of devices, including multiple orthopedic, cardiovascular and other devices.

On February 19, 2019, the Nomenclature was updated. The update brought changes in chapter V and VI of Nomenclature, regarding the creation of new codes for laser destruction of congenital port-wine stains, hearing aids and cone beam computed tomography.

On February 5, 2019, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) decided that in case of suspected infection or fever of unknown origin, positron emission tomography (TEP) will be considered mandatory services. Also, percutaneous electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve (PTNS) was approved for incontinence indication. Furthermore, the reimbursement amounts relating to incontinence and ostomy materials will be reduced. List of Analyses was also updated.

In Finland, the Health Care Services Selection Council is responsible for making recommendations regarding the research, treatment and rehabilitation methods. Currently, PALKO is working on the only one assessment related to medical technologies - surgical treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. In final report, the Council would conclude whether the procedure is a part of publicly funded services or not.

In Norway, the mini-HTA for magnetic technology (Magseed) for breast lesions was released in February of 2018. The method was determined as efficient, safe and was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital.

More than 50 new DRGs were introduced in the Swedish system in 2019, while two have been deleted. The changes affected nursing care, psychiatry, hospital and day case services of different major disease categories. Important changes relate to cardiac ablation, placement of neurostimulator.