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News and blog posts

04
Jul 2023

Updates in the coverage of medical services in Switzerland since July 2023

On June 19, 2023, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) published the changes that will occur to the Healthcare Benefit Ordinance (KLV/OPre) and its Annexes, which determines coverage of medical services in Switzerland. Key changes relate to introduction of two codes for genetic tests, several extensions of Coverage with Evidence Development, and updates in reimbursement conditions for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The changes entered into force on July 1, 2023.
03
Jul 2023

Publication Digest: Time to publication of cost-effectiveness analyses for medical devices

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, Everhart investigated the availability of cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) for medical devices in the United States. By analyzing data from the Tufts University Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry, the author identified 218 CEAs published between 2002 and 2020. On average, these CEAs were published 4 to 6 years after FDA approval or clearance of the studied devices. The findings suggest that decision-makers often lack timely evidence of cost-effectiveness when making initial reimbursement decisions regarding newly available medical devices.
29
Jun 2023

Changes in the Danish Health Care Classification System from July 2023

The Danish Health Data Authority quarterly updates the Health Care Classification System (SKS), which includes coding for procedures, diagnoses, and other codes. The latest version was published in mid-June to come into force on July 1, 2023. Changes include the introduction of sixteen new surgical and 26 new medical procedure codes.
28
Jun 2023

Publications Digest: Reimbursement practices for use of digital devices in atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias: a European Heart Rhythm Association survey

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 expectations and opinions of healthcare professionals in Europe on reimbursement policies for the use of digital devices (including wearables) in atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias. The study summarized information about the use of digital devices, trust in digital technologies, and availability of reimbursement of digital technologies in individual EU countries.

26
Jun 2023

New procedure and diagnostic codes added to the private reimbursement schedule in England

In June 2023, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 190 and 086 with changes to be implemented no later than August 4, 2023. Fourteen new procedure codes (concerning cardiovascular, diagnostic imaging, endocrine, endoscopy, gastrointestinal, orthopedic and spine, peripheral vascular, robotic surgery, men's health, and radiotherapy fields) and six new diagnostic codes were introduced.
23
Jun 2023

Rapid HTAs of two medical devices released in Tuscany

The HTA body of the Tuscany Regional Healthcare issues three types of documents: full HTA reports, rapid HTA reports, and motivational forms. With regional decree 11957 of June 07, 2023, Tuscany Regional Healthcare has published assessments of two medical devices in the cardiovascular and spine areas.
22
Jun 2023

Evidence-based Interventions (EBI) Programme List 3 was published in England

In May 2023, the latest set of guidance (List 3) of the Evidence-based Interventions (EBI) Programme was published. The program is run by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), supported by NHS England and NICE. Ten procedures were added to the List across a range of medical specialties, including breast surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, cardiovascular, urology, and ophthalmology. It is expected that where treatment criteria outlined in the List for the intervention are met, it would be routinely funded.