In the first half of February, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Medtech innovation briefings for a compression bandage for venous leg ulcers and insertable cardiac monitor for detecting suspected asymptomatic atrial fibrillation after cryptogenic stroke, one new interventional procedures guidance (aortic valve reconstruction with a new valve made from chemically treated cow pericardium) and one Medical technologies guidance for Memokath-051 stent for ureteric obstruction.

The Danish National Board of Health has published a revised recommendation for how reception and status monitoring should be carried out on major x-ray devices for teeth examinations. The recommendation elaborates on previous requirements and contains suggestions for new measurement methods.

In March 2013, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds requested a benefit assessment of surgical lung volume reduction in severe pulmonary emphysema. The Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) decided on February 15th 2018 that the method will remain a benefit in the inpatient sector in Germany. The was supported by a health technology assessment provided by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).

The method was under assessment by the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) previously but the assessment was paused due to insufficient evidence in 2008. The final decision will concern the reimbursement of the method in the outpatient sector. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) is mandated to provide a health technology assessment (HTA) report to support G-BA’s decision.

The deadline for acceptance of applications for conditional reimbursement in 2020 was announced by the is Zorginstituut Nederland, which is 15th of May 2018.

KCE performed health technology assessment of 3D high-risk printed medical devices. It provides description of evidence concerning efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of the 3D printed medical devices as well as legal issues (requirements to enter to the market, liability, data protection, patient’s rights, traceability, reimbursement, intellectual property rights).

The Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England. In January new codes for Anti C1Q antibodies, soluble CD25, umbilical Cord Ph Level and several genetic tests were added to the CCSD Schedule.

The Dutch Healthcare Authority (Nederlandse Zorgautoriteit) has published a draft version of the DBC package for specialist medical care for 2019 (RZ19a).

The background for updating the National Clinical Guideline for Treatment of Brain Metastases is that local treatment (stereotactic radiation therapy) has gained more space in the treatment of brain metastases.

The Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England. In January new codes for robotic assisted laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract and eminectomy of temporomandibular joint were added to the CCSD Schedule.

In order to decide upon the inclusion of medical benefits into the German statutory health insurance, the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) can commission the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) with the preparation of health technology assessments (HTA). At the turn of the year, IQWiG published its 220th evaluation dossier since its foundation in 2004. G-BA followed IQWiG’s recommendations in 70% of cases.

In the second half of January, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Medtech innovation briefings for an amniotic membrane allograft for treating chronic wounds and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy medium to remove kidney stones, and one new Clinical Guideline for assessment and management of oesophago-gastric cancer in adults.