German IQWiG assessed vacuum therapy and published the report in late March 2019. Evaluation found statistically significant impact of therapy on wound healing, rate of reinterventions and length of hospital stay.

The HTA center of Swedish Västra Götaland region has published a report, which aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of EEG-based neurofeedback as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is uncertain whether the procedure compared with no or standard treatment reduces PTSD symptoms in adult patients. It is also uncertain whether the treatment results in any difference in suicidal thoughts, level of functioning, or medication use.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for use of Embolic Protection Devices during percutaneous cardiac procedures (PCI and TAVI). 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 diagnostic endoscopic procedures on the lower gastrointestinal tract for benign and malignant diseases in outpatient settings. The following procedures will be considered: colonoscopy, rectoscopy, anoscopy. 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.

Starting April 1, 2019, NHS England opens in a new window, and NHS Improvement comes together to act as a single organization.

On March 7, 2019, the Nomenclature was updated. The update brought changes in chapter V of Nomenclature, regarding the creation of new codes, deletion, and modification of existing codes. Changes mainly related to the in-vitro diagnostic testing.

In January 2019, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge (KCE) published a report of health technology assessment that was dedicated to the evaluation of proton beam therapy in adults.

The colorectal cancer screening program became organized in Germany on April 19, 2019. Until now, only the breast cancer screening program was the only organized screening program. The Evaluation Committee has already updated the EBM catalog.

In 2013, Norway established 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. In April of 2019, the new mini-HTA regarding above cuff vocalization (ACV) was initiated by Oslo University Hospital. After completion of the assessment, hospital management will make a decision about funding of studied technology.

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for use of bone conductive hearing device in adults with conductive hearing loss. 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 implantable cardiac monitor for detection of cardiac arrhythmia. 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.

NHS England is inviting nominations for additions to, and removals from, the high-cost drugs and devices lists for the next national tariff come into effect in April 2020. All submissions must be submitted by May 31, 2019.