Procedure coding
In European countries, the situation with procedure coding for percutaneous ablation of organ lesions differs depending on the anatomical site of intervention: procedure coding for percutaneous ablation of liver, lung, and kidney tissue is well established in most countries, whereas for other anatomical sites, the availability of specific coding is limited. For example, in the Netherlands, there is specific procedure code 036089 “Percutaneous excision or coagulation disorder kidney” and 035240 “Radiofrequency ablation of pathological liver tissue”. For other anatomical sites nospecific procedure code for RF ablation of diseased tissue by a radiologist (code 080058) can be used.
In many countries, the type of energy used is specified in the procedure code description. The typical ones include radiofrequency and cryoablation. Other types of energy are either not specifically coded or can be described using supplementary codes. For example, percutaneous ablation of lesions using microwaves is specified in the procedure code descriptions in Germany. In contrast, supplementary codes are used for it in England and countries of the Nordic region.
Payment mechanism
In most European countries, the payment model for percutaneous ablation of organ lesions is DRG.
The anatomical site of intervention typically drives the DRG allocation. In some countries, the type of energy used may impact the DRG allocation. For example, in England, percutaneous cryoablation of kidney tissue is allocated to the DRG YL01Z “Complex Percutaneous Ablation of Lesion of Kidney” with a tariff of €6,419, radiofrequency and microwave ablation – to the DRG YL02Z “Standard Percutaneous Ablation of Lesion of Kidney” with a tariff of €5,706.
In most European countries, the devices for percutaneous ablation of organ lesions do not attract additional (top-up) reimbursement, which is paid in addition to the DRG tariff. One of the exceptions is England, where radiofrequency, cryotherapy, and microwave ablation probes and catheters are included in the High Cost Devices List and reimbursed in addition to the HRG tariff.
Policy considerations
Percutaneous ablation of organ lesions can be subject to specific policies from payers or national decision-makers in the countries where such frameworks exist.
For example, in 2017, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published a Position on thermal ablation in colorectal liver metastases, which concluded that the procedure could be reimbursed under basic health insurance only in unresectable colorectal liver metastases in case of radical surgery for colorectal cancer.
Health technology assessment
Due to the rapid development of technologies and extension of indications, devices for percutaneous ablation of organ lesions frequently become a subject of HTA. For example, In July 2022, the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) published a decision support document, “Microwave ablation for liver tumors,” which recommended the inclusion of the procedure in the catalog of benefits only for the treatment of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Re-evaluation of microwave ablation for secondary liver cancer was recommended in 2025.
Future challenges
Percutaneous radiofrequency and cryoablation of liver, lung, and kidney lesions have established reimbursement and funding in most European countries. New health technology assessments are unlikely to be relevant. Procedures for ablation of other organs, devices for percutaneous ablation of organ lesions with unique designs, or alternative energy sources might require the development of procedure codes, establishing reimbursement, funding, and obtaining HTA recommendations.
How can MTRC help?
Development of reimbursement analysis (procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs, and policy considerations)
Development of reimbursement strategy
Development of the value dossier
Performing evidence gap analysis for novel technologies
Development of reimbursement and HTA submission dossiers
Adaptation of the global health economic model to EU settings
MTRC has experience with more than 16 projects related to the percutaneous ablation of organs in Europe
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