In January 2025, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) released updated APR-DRG tariffs for the “low variability care” system. No significant changes were made, and no new APR-DRGs were added. The reimbursement tariffs were increased by about 2.5%.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Health Economic Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Fanshawe et al. systematically reviewed statistical methods for analyzing the performance of sequential diagnostic testing. The authors addressed five key themes: methods for combining tests, estimation of conditional dependence, repeated testing for risk assessment, adjustment for an imperfect reference standard, and meta-analysis of test sequences. This review offers methodological insights that enhance the precision and reliability of diagnostic evaluations.

On January 16, 2025, NHS England published an updated work plan for specialized clinical commissioning policies production. One Med Tech-related policy in the neuromodulation field was added to the work plan. No policies have been published since the previous update.

On January 28, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) provided updates on implementing the Hospital reform in Germany.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Ataiy et al. surveyed 10 digital health application manufacturers to identify key barriers in Germany’s fast-track approval process. Challenges included conducting clinical trials to demonstrate clinical effects, negotiating pricing, and improving market acceptance. The authors emphasized that closer collaboration among stakeholders is essential to streamline approval processes while ensuring patient safety and accessibility.

In January 2025, the Spanish Minister of Health participated in a meeting to establish the “Green Anesthesia” working group. The group’s goal is to further advance the sustainability of the healthcare system and develop a set of best practices and solutions to achieve “better anesthesia for patients and for the planet”.

In January 2025, the HTA body of Tuscany Regional Healthcare published four new rapid HTA reports on medical devices used in surgical procedures, ophthalmology, men’s health, and orthopedics.

In December 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned cervical ripening during labor induction in different settings, fasciectomy surgery for Dupuytren's contracture in adults, hybrid closed-loop systems in type 1 diabetes, point-of-care tests for urinary tract infections. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs NICE guidance.

In January 2025, it was announced that two Benchmark centers, departments, and units of the Spanish National Health System (CSURs) were designated, and two CSURs were redesignated for previously approved pathologies and procedures in the cardiovascular field.

Starting January 12, 2025, Norway joined the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation (HTAR) framework, a collaborative European initiative for method assessments. In 2024, a national working group assessed how to integrate HTAR into the "New Methods" framework. The Norwegian Medical Products Agency (NOMA) will be the key organization representing Norway and contributing to the development of Joint Clinical Assessments (JCAs) of medicines and medical devices.

MTRC announces the launch of a new service designed to further enhance the decision-making process: Market Size Analysis for medical devices in Europe.

On January 10, 2025, the Finnish classification of procedures (THL) was updated. Seven procedure codes concerning radiology, diagnostic imaging, and other fields were introduced to come into force on February 1, 2025.