Article “Cost analysis of bariatric surgery in Denmark made with a decision-analytic model” was published in Danish Medical Journal. Surgery was found cost-effective at 10 years and cost saving over life time perspective in comparison with conservative medical management.

The Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England. Several codes were added to both procedural and diagnostic Schedules, including procedures for treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis, robotic procedure, insertion of wireless pacemaker.

Dutch National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland) has confirmed scope of surveillance on implementation of radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres as salvage therapy for patients with non-resectable liver metastases of colorectal cancer origin in the Netherlands. The focus will be on evolution of cost and volume of procedures, concentration of care in few designated centers and implementation of clinical protocol for use of procedure.

The report aims on measuring baseline incidence and cost of inpatient falls prior to launch of falls improvement initiative of nineteen trusts for 2017/2018 financial year.

The previous regional guidelines on brain stimulation therapy for advanced Parkinson’s disease, drug-resistant chronic migraine, and drug-resistant epilepsy, published in 2014, have been updated by the Regional Technical Commission for Medical Devices considering the new evidence on the specific groups of patients and some modifications in the indications for use of some devices. Check out indications for different neurostimulator technologies. These recommendations will form the foundation for reimbursement of devices in the region.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute – Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA) has published results of systematic literature review of evidence in relation to efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for patients with metastatic spinal lesions. In conclusion, LBI-HTA recommended radiofrequency ablation of spinal metastatic lesions for inclusion in benefit catalogue with restrictions.

In the first two weeks of July, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published four Medtech Innovation Briefings (Nasal Alar SpO2 sensor for monitoring oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry, Arctic Sun 5000 for therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest, L-Dex U400 for lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment, FreeStyle Libre for glucose monitoring), new clinical guideline for Parkinson’s disease in adults, and updated diagnostic guidance for a new generation cardiac CT scanners.

Reinhard Busse et al. published article “Statutory health insurance in Germany: a health system shaped by 135 years of solidarity, self-governance, and competition” in the Lancet. Article provides valuable insights into history and current state of statutory health insurance system in Germany.

We are expanding our team and looking for experienced health policy analysts with knowledge of European health care systems, medical writers and health economists to join us on a full time, part time or project basis.

SwissDRG has released overview of planned update of DRG system (version 7.0) in 2018, including list of preliminary approved add-on reimbursement categories. Add-on will be established for endobronchial valves, proton therapy, autologous matrix-induced chondrocyte implantation at knee joint and intermitted hemodialysis for removal of proteins with molecular mass up to 60,000 Da.

Hofmann and Gilbert published article exploring potential value of four novel diagnostic tests for clinicians: immunosignature for cancer and infections, breath test for lung cancer, patch vital sign monitoring and biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.