OPCS-4 is the clinical coding classification of interventions and procedures undertaken within the NHS in England. It is updated every three years, reflecting current clinical practice to be used for statistical purposes and reimbursement. On April 1, 2023, a new version (OPCS-4.10) came into force. A total of 236 new four-character codes were introduced in multiple areas, including cardiovascular, endoscopy, ENT, gastrointestinal, urology, neurology, gynecology, breast reconstruction, and others.

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, Vogler et al. provided an overview of the current situation regarding HTA, pricing, and funding policies for point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for community-acquired acute respiratory tract infections (CA-ARTI) in 17 European countries by conducting a qualitative survey of healthcare authorities. In addition, the authors provided recommendations for improvement in decision-making processes.

On April 1, 2023, an updated version of the Health Care Classification System (SKS) came into force. The Danish Health Data Authority quarterly updates the SKS system, which includes coding for procedures, diagnoses, and other coding (e.g., administrative, pharmaceuticals). In the current version, eight new surgical procedure codes, one medical procedure code, multiple codes for regional anesthesia, one code for diagnostic imaging, one for nuclear medicine, and several additional codes were implemented.

In March 2023, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) updated the List of reimbursable devices and Nominative lists to take effect on April 1, 2023. Eight new codes for intracardiac transcatheter pacing systems with the corresponding conditions of reimbursement were added to the List, and two devices (Micra VR and Micra AV) were registered on the list of brands connected to that new codes.

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, Hoogendoorn et al. presented a study, the goal of which was to develop a new framework for assessing the quality and reliability of health and wellness apps. While developing the framework, the authors obtained feedback from 83 experts, predominantly from Europe, using a two-round Delphi method. The final framework includes 81 questions that impact four overarching quality aspects, and it will help manufacturers enhance and demonstrate the quality of health apps.

In March 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (percutaneous transluminal renal sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension, endoluminal gastroplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), three new Health Technology Evaluations via piloted early value assessment approach (CaRi-Heart for predicting cardiac risk in suspected coronary artery disease, ProKnow cloud-based system for radiotherapy data storage, and Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit for detecting a genetic variant), and two new MedTech Innovation Briefings (QBTest and BPMpathway). No new clinical guidelines were published.

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, Klein et al. evaluated the use of real-world evidence (RWE) by HTA agencies in Europe for assessing the cost-effectiveness of high-risk medical devices. In total, 25 HTA reports using RWE data were reviewed. Authors offered a critical review of the use of RWE in these reports and provided recommendations for improvement.

In the middle of March 2023, the updated version of the intra-DRG list was published. Changes include the introduction of several devices for thrombo-aspiration into the list and the deletion of a few devices from the list.

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, Mantovani et al. reviewed the current regulatory and reimbursement approaches adopted for digital therapeutics (DTx) and in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) in the US, Europe, and Australia. In Europe, authors offer an overview of reimbursement pathways in France, Germany and the United Kingdom for digital and in-vitro diagnostic technologies.

In March 2023, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) announced two more projects which received a subsidy under the "Subsidy scheme for promising care" in 2023 for research of focal therapy in intermediate risk prostate cancer and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in paresis due to the cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage.

In late March 2023, NHS England released the 2023/25 NHS Payment Scheme (NHSPS) to come into force on April 1, 2023. NHSPS has been set for two years, replacing the National Tariff Payment System (published annually). The NHSPS specifies payment conditions for NHS-funded secondary care.

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, Ibargoyen-Roteta et al. summarized the main initiatives in relation to Early Dialogue/Scientific Advice/Early Advice given by international HTA bodies to manufacturers of medical technologies. In relation to medical technologies, the authors reviewed early dialogue frameworks of NICE (UK), Health Technology Wales and HAS (France).