Ministry of Health will close applications for proposals for inclusion of novel innovative tests into the List of Acts Outside Nomenclature in 2018 (Référentiel des actes Innovants Hors Nomenclatures, RIHN) 3rd of October 2017. RIHN provides early reimbursement for innovative tests, for which value is not yet validated to allow enlisting in the NABM Nomenclature.

On August 15th, the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI) published the preliminary version of the new procedure catalogue for the inpatient sector in Germany. The final version of the catalogue will come into effect with the start of the year 2018. MTRC will report about new procedures and other changes included in the catalogue after the release of the official version in the beginning of 2018.

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA) released results of a re-evaluation of percutaneous volume reduction of the intervertebral disk with a focus on chemolucleolysis. Based on current evidence, chemonucleolysis was recommended for inclusion into health benefit catalogue in Austria while percutaneous nucleotomy and percutaneous laser disc decompression were currently not recommended.

The Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England. New codes were added for glaucoma surgery, myringoplasty and transforaminal epidural interventions.

CEO of the MTRC, Dr. Oleg Borisenko will be present at the 2nd Annual Medical Devices Sales and Marketing Conference, 28-29 of September in Cologne, Germany. Please, contact us at info@mtrconsult.com if you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss your needs with reimbursement and market access in Europe.

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA) released results of re-evaluation of leadless pacemakers for right ventricular pacing. Due to lack of comparative evidence vs conventional pacemakers, leadless pacemakers were not recommended for inclusion into health benefit catalogue in Austria.

Joint Orders of Ministry of Industry and Trade and Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology issued a number of standards outlining technical requirements for organizing of state procurement of a number of medical devices, including ventricular assist devices, implantable neurostimulators, means of protection of medical personnel from radiation, and pacemakers.

In the first two weeks of September, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published one new (for diagnosis and management of endometriosis) and updated two clinical guidelines (for psoriasis and fertility problems). No health technology assessments were published.

The deadline for submission of proposals for DRG change for year 2019 to the Danish National Board of Health (Sundhedsdatastyrelsen) is November 1, 2017. Different stakeholders can submit a proposal. However, hospitals and individual physicians are the most relevant applicants. Application form for DRG change in Denmark is much simplier compared to other countries.

On 6th of September, the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) released announcement for manufacturers of OCT equipment to notify about their devices till 4th of October before G-BA makes the final decision about coverage of the procedure in out-patient settings within statutory health insurance. 

All significant innovations in Norway should undergo either national or hospital-based health technology assessment within “New Methods” framework. Guiding criteria for prioritization of topics for assessments were recently formulated by the administration of the program.