In total, 10 organizations were added to the list of 42 organizations, which can perform translation of organs. In addition, list of organizations, which perform extraction of organs for transplantation, was also updated.

French National Authority for Health (HAS) released new decisions about add-on and medical aid reimbursement of 10 medical devices from the meetings of the National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS). They include microprocessor controlled knee prosthesis, transcatheter pulmonary valve, deep brain stimulation device, kit for self-monitoring of blood glucose and others.

The List determines devices (generic lines), which can be procured for provision of care within Program of State Guarantees in Health Care. Number of surgical implants, orthopedic implants, hemostatic materials, glue for surgical wounds, connector for spine drain, penile prosthesis, plates for facial surgery, surgical mesh, peritoneal catheter were added to the List.

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.