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.

The French High Authority for Health (HAS) develops clinical guidelines and recommendations whose objective is to guarantee the quality and safety of care delivery within the French setting. In the second quarter of 2019, clinical guidelines/recommendations have been developed for 16 topics.

The reimbursement for the partial surgical removal of enlarged palatal tonsils has now been confirmed. Thus, contract physicians can bill this service from July 1, 2019. A decision to amend the EBM has been taken by the Valuation Committee.

In June 2019, the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) has published a completed health economic evaluation regarding the cost-effectiveness of the comprehensive genomic profiling test for all solid tumors FoundationOne CDx. TLV believes that in most cases, the use of FoundationOne CDx is more expensive in comparison to current treatment methods. However, it has greater sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnostics.

In late June 2019, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) took its first decision on the use of biomarker-based tests. Patients with breast cancer in the early stages, in which the risk of relapse cannot be determined with certainty, can be provided in the future with a biomarker test as a statutory health insurance (SHI) benefit.