The Department of Home Affairs (EDI) in Switzerland decided upon the coverage with evidence development (CED) of two types of positron emission tomography as well as stereotactic radiotherapy (photons) of exudative age-related macular degeneration. The status is given to contested medical services for a specific period which is extended until evidence is complete.

The new Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) system, called “LKF system” in Austria came into effect on January 1st 2018. It is used for the reimbursement, documentation and cost data collection of inpatient and day case services in Austrian hospitals. Compared to the last version, the LKF system for 2018 includes two newly established procedure groups (Oncological Immunotherapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) as well as several new procedures and changes in the association of procedures to specific groups. See details in the MTRC report.

The generic quality framework and three modules of care describe the general requirements for medical devices for home-based application, included in the Health Insurance Act (Zvw). This framework is not intended for medical devices that fall under the Social Support Act (Wmo) and medical aids provided in intramural settings.

The National Board of Health has not updated recommendations for cervical cancer screening since 2012. New evidence has been obtained for the detection of HPV infection as a screening method instead of or as a supplement to microscopic examination of cervical cells, and several countries plan to rearrange their screening programs.

The current guideline replaces the previous version of the document of 2010. The Norwegian Directorate of Health decided to update the guideline because new methods of treatment and rehabilitation of stroke became avaliable in recent years.

A 150-page reimbursement report covers angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), fractional flow reserve (FFR), cardiac computer tomography (CCT), optical coherence tomography (OCT) for angina and myocardial infarction in hospital settings. Stand-alone application of imaging / diagnostic methods and use in conjunction with percutaneous coronary intervention procedure was 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 Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment (OSTEBA) published results of assessments of home telemonitoring on patients with heart failure. This intervention was considered as effective and cost-effectiveness technology. However, further research is needed to specify criteria for better application.

Assobiomedica published a report presenting the status of the ventilation and monitoring equipment installed across the public and private hospitals at 2016. The scenario pictured by the analysis appears to be critical considering the high number of units older than 10 years.

The further-developed tariff structure SwissDRG was approved by the Federal Council in Switzerland. The new tariff version for inpatient services will be effective from January 1st in 2018. The tariff structure SwissDRG defines how inpatient services in the acute care area of the hospitals and birthplaces are reimbursed within the framework of compulsory health care insurance in Switzerland.

A wireless sensor that better detects signs of sepsis in hospital patients, an app to help pregnant women monitor hypertension, and another that directs patients with minor injuries to treatment units with the shortest queues, are among the latest devices and technologies selected to join the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA).

The Institute for the Hospital Remuneration System (InEK) has opened the proposal procedure for integrating the medical and scientific expertise in the further development of the G-DRG system for the year 2019. Proposals, e.g. add-on payments, DRG re-grouping and changes in coding guidelines or cost calculation can be submitted until March 31st, 2018.

NICE recommends new tests to help diagnose asthma and a change in how medicines are offered.