The 2026 DRG catalog released in Germany

On November 20, 2025, the Institute for the Hospital Remuneration System (InEK) published the DRG catalog (Fallpauschalen-Katalog), which includes the list of DRGs and additional reimbursement categories (ZEs) for 2026. The following changes were introduced:

• Five new DRGs were introduced in the diagnostic imaging, men’s health, nephrology and urology, as well as radiotherapy fields;
• Thirteen new ZE categories (for drugs, none for medical technologies) were added to the catalog.

The examples of the newly introduced DRGs are provided below:

• DRG F41Z “Invasive cardiological diagnostics in acute myocardial infarction”;
• DRG M10D “Radiation therapy in diseases and disorders of the male reproductive organs, more than one day of stay, radiation treatments over less than 8 days, or interstitial brachytherapy”.

The German Hospital Federation (DKG), the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband), and the Association of Private Health Insurance Funds (PKV) agreed on the DRG catalog on October 7, 2025.

Additionally, the InEK has published a separate “Case flat rates catalog for upfront payment and residual DRGs valuation ratios” in line with the ongoing gradual implementation of the Hospital Reform. This document is for informational purposes and will not be applicable in 2026.

Moreover, the InEK published the list of the new diagnostic and treatment methods (NUB) with approved status (status 1), which were integrated into the DRG system for 2026 in the form of add-on reimbursement (ZE) categories. The list contains ten positions of drugs and no medical technologies. The list of requests for NUB with granted statuses for 2026 is expected to be available in late January or early February 2026.

The full details in German can be found here, here, and here.

This news is just one of about 300 market access news collected by our team in the premium subscription service Market Access Monitor every week from more than 80 organizations. Access our paid service to stay on top of all developments specifically for your products in Europe (reimbursement news) and globally (HTA news). Access is organized as an online Database and email alert formats. Contact us to get a free, three-month, no-obligation trial.