New version 5.0 of the guidance “Allgemeine Methoden” provides basis for the scientific work of the Institute and its external experts. Multiple changes were made to existing sections, several new sections were added as well. Guidance provides brief overview of assessments performed in connection to benefit assessment for high class risk medical technologies, submitted for the innovation funding (NUB) for the first time.

Researchers evaluated care process, access, administrative efficiency, equity and health care outcomes in 11 countries on the basis of published health care statistics for 72 indicators. The best overall performers among European countries were the UK (ranked 1st), the Netherlands (3rd), Norway (4th), Sweden and Switzerland (6th). Germany (8th) and France (10th) were low in the ranking.

The treatment with autologous fat transplantation (AFT) may be a part of the basic health insurance package under certain conditions, including defects of the head and / or neck region, HIV-associated lipoatrophy and, and fibrosis (scarring), as recommended by the Dutch Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland).

The NIP test is a non-invasive prenatal test aimed at detecting Down's syndrome in fetus. This test is a screening performed using mother's blood sample from the 12th week of pregnancy. From 1 July 2017, non-invasive prenatal test will be reimbursed for all pregnant women.

Report provides overview of procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy considerations for mechanical and pharmacomechanical (AngioJet, Boston Scientific) thrombectomy, catheter-directed and ultrasound-enhanced catheter-directed (EKOS, BTG) thrombolysis in iliac, femoral and popliteal veins in 11 European countries.

Current version of the DRG manual for hospital and day case care was approved in December 2016 by the Russian Federal Fund for Mandatory Medical Insurance (FFOMS). Since then, FFOMS has issued two updates of the DRG manual, mainly focused on use of organizational coefficients for DRGs in oncology, criteria for DRG for infections of upper respiratory tracts, change of definitions of frostbite.

Recently, CNEDiMTS at HAS issued positive recommendation for inclusion of HeartMate 3 ventricular assist device into add-on reimbursement catalogue (LPPR title III). No added value was established vs earlier version of device (HeartMate II), despite better safety profile demonstrated in the randomized controlled trial.

Finnish government is working on regional reform, which will be implemented from 2019-2020. In relation to health care system, the reform will introduce 18 countries, which will take over the organization and funding for health care from more than 200 municipalities and their collaborations.

An assessment was initiated earlier this year. The Institute will evaluate compliance of dynamic fusion in lumbar spondylosis with the state of science and practice.

The guideline is based on recently updated and summarized research-based knowledge of the effects and side effects associated with the treatment. Both user experiences and research-based knowledge are emphasized in the assessments of the adverse effects that have been associated with the treatment.

The Government has given to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) to see how much of the highly specialized care could be coordinated at the national level. The proposed model will be tested in autumn 2017 in two areas: the nervous system diseases and women's health and childbirth. These areas will be surveyed to see which individual care measures would be improved.

French National Authority for Health (HAS) released new decisions about add-on and medical aid reimbursement of 8 medical devices from the meetings of the National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS). They include coronary stents, portable oxygen concentrators, Urolift device, spinal ganglion stimulator and insulin pumps.