In November 2021, NHSX announced projects to improve digital pathways awarded for funding from the newly created Adoption Fund. Funding opportunities will support Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) with initiatives to test out digital pathways across various specialty areas, including gastroenterology, musculoskeletal, and cardiology. A total of 35 applications were successful and will share funding of £6.5 million.

At the request of the Minister for Medical Care, the Sensible Care program, launched in 2013 by the Dutch Healthcare Institute, is replaced by the Appropriate Care program in order to improve the organization of medical care and optimize health care costs in the Netherlands. The ongoing 29 projects under the Sensible Care program will continue in the context of the Appropriate Care program.

On October 15, 2021, the Government of the Russian Federation released the decree on the plan for implementation of the ICD-11 classification of disease during the period of 2021-2024. In order to perform the transition, the working committees under the supervision of the Ministries of the Russian Federation will be created. The final changes should enter into force before 2025.

On October 7, 2021, the Treatment Council (Behandlingsråd), a new body for assessing treatments and health technologies that became fully operational in late May 2021, has decided to initiate its first assessment. It will concern the use of metal stents in the treatment of chronic ureteral strictures.

In early October 2021, three 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 health insurers. In total, 23 health apps are now available at the DiGA Directory.

In late September 2021, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England, has published Bulletins 0179 and 0076 with changes to be implemented no later than January 01, 2022. Four new procedure codes related to gynecology, robotic surgery in the pulmonology area, and orthopedics, and four new diagnostic codes were introduced.

On February 1, 2022, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) will start accepting project idea applications for rounds 7 and 8 of the Promising Care subsidy scheme that will be awarded in 2023. Round 7 will be opened on February 1, 2022, and round 8 will begin on July 5, 2022.

On September 16, 2021, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has decided that it would not evaluate the proton therapy in a number of indications, including esophageal cancer and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

In October 2021, the National Board of Health and Welfare released the Swedish version of the 2022 NordDRG. Six new DRGs were added, and they concern the cardiovascular area, vaccination, cochlear implants, and visits in primary care. Also, several changes in DRG content and logic were made.

In October 2021, NHS England issued an updated version of the National Genomic Test Directory for 2021/2022, which lists genomic tests commissioned by NHS England via Genomic Laboratory Hubs. Twenty new codes (test-indication combinations) were introduced in the cancer field, and 115 new codes were added for rare and inherited diseases.

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on October 1, 2021. The most significant changes concern mainly IVD tests: extension of the newborn screening, the introduction of microsatellite instability testing, amendments of Oncotype DX® test reimbursement, the introduction of screening for hepatitis B and C as part of health check-up, as well as changes in reimbursement of radiation therapy services.

On September 27, 2021, the Decision Forum for "New Methods" decided not to introduce bronchial thermoplasty as a routine treatment of patients with severe asthma. The method should only be used within clinical trials.