In late March 2023, the Norwegian Directorate of e-Health released an updated version of the National Laboratory code (NLK) system and associated tariffs for state and private laboratories to be implemented no later than May 1, 2023. Twenty-one new codes were added, 122 codes were changed, and one code was terminated.

In late March 2023, NHS England released an annual update of HRG4+ Local Payment Grouper for 2023/24, to come into effect on April 1, 2023. No new HRGs were added. The HRG design has been updated to accommodate the latest version of procedure coding classification (OPCS-4.10).

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, Boriani et al. evaluated the status of the implementation of remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electrical devices. Among other topics, the study provides a useful overview of the reimbursement situation with remote monitoring of cardiac implants in Europe.

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, Ferrante et al. reviewed methodological approaches from seven HTA organizations, which perform assessments of diagnostic tests and compared approaches with non-diagnostic test HTAs. With the exception of dealing with test accuracy data, approaches were largely based on general approaches to HTA with few test-specific modifications. Elucidation of test claims and attitude to direct and indirect evidence were the areas where authors identified the biggest dissimilarities in approach.

In March 2023, two more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by sickness funds.

On March 22, 2022, the entity managing the DRG system in Switzerland, SwissDRG, announced that they will be accepting applications for changes in the DRG system from June 5, 2023, until July 17, 2023. The results of the DRG applications made in 2023 will be reflected in the 2025 version of SwissDRG.

On March 17, 2023, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) published an update on its recommendations for techniques to be used within the organized breast cancer screening. HAS recommends introducing mammography by tomosynthesis in association with the reconstruction of a synthetic 2D image.

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, Trippoli et al. examined the sufficiency of DRG tariffs for medical procedures and devices in Italy. The analysis included 24 class III or implantable devices. Authors discovered a large variability in the ratios between device price and DRG associated with its use. This ratio ranged from a minimum of about 3% in the case of the Hyalobarrier gel for post-surgical adhesion to a maximum of 132% in the case of the Neovasc Reducer, a device indicated in the narrowed coronary sinus.

In March 2023, the Spanish Network of Health Technology and Services Assessment Agencies of the National Health System (RedETS) published its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. The objective of the Plan is to define the main lines of the activities to be carried out and the decision criteria to be used during the 2022-2025 period in order to respond to the needs of the National Health System and continue on the path of excellence.

On March 2, 2023, the decision of the National Union of Health Insurance Funds relating to the update of the CCAM Nomenclature of procedure codes was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. Changes include registration of new procedure codes, modification and removal of some existing codes. Newly introduced codes concern cardiovascular procedures, interventional radiology, orthopedics, peripheral vascular procedures, and others.

In February 2023, the Scottish Health Technology Group, SHTG, released three MedTech-related assessments: selective internal radiation therapies (SIRT) for treating primary hepatocellular carcinoma, Feeling Good app, store-and-forward teledermatology for triage of primary care referrals.

A new preeclampsia screening algorithm has been evaluated within the "New Method" framework since 2021. The algorithm helps to predict the risk of preeclampsia in the first trimester based on several parameters, including ultrasound examination and measurement of the Placenta Growth Factor (PIGF). In March 2023, the Decision Forum for "New Method" was held and commissioned to perform the implementation study of a new screening algorithm at St. Olav's Hospital.