Endobronchial valves

In October 2024, the annual update of the Swedish procedure coding system (Classification of Health Care Measures, KVÅ) was released to come into force on January 1, 2025. A total of 55 new surgical procedure codes and 43 new medical procedure codes were introduced concerning diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, ENT, men’s health, nephrology and urology, gynecology, orthopedics, pulmonology, and some other areas.

On June 19, 2024, the Order SND/606/2024, of June 13, came into force. This Order, among other things, amends Annexes I, II, III, VI, and VII of Royal Decree 1030/2006, of September 15, which establishes the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health System and the procedure for its update. The changes mostly concern in-vitro diagnostics, ENT, pulmonary and airways, cardiovascular, and some other fields.

On May 1, 2024, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated several articles of the Nomenclature. New procedure codes were introduced in pulmonary, endoscopy, and in-vitro diagnostic fields.

On April 25, 2022, the Decision Forum for "New Method" recommended not to use the endobronchial valve (Zephyr) to reduce lung volume in severe emphysema treatment, as there was no evidence of the long-term effectiveness. The method can be used in the context of clinical studies.

On February 21, 2022, it was announced by the Ministry of Health that the public consultation regarding the Draft Order amending the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health System (SNS) was open. The amendments and clarifications are related to the fields of in-vitro diagnostics, ENT, pulmonary and airways, e-health, neurology, dental care, radiology, and enteral nutrition.

Earlier this year, the Spanish authorities introduced endobronchial valves for persistent air leakage into the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health System. This decision was based on the reports (HTA report and monitoring study) by the Evaluation Unit of the Canary Islands Health Service (SESCS). On July 22, 2021, the Resolution outlining the conditions for the provision of the service was published.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland develops HTAs and clinical guidelines to support decision-making. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Healthcare Improvement Scotland published assessments of continuous glucose monitoring in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, endobronchial valves for lung volume reduction in patients with severe emphysema, and other topics.

On January 07, 2021, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (covering the period October 19, 2020 - December 08, 2020). Two new Clinical Commissioning Policies were added to the work program, and six new policies related to radiotherapy, neurosurgery, pulmonology, and in-vitro diagnostics were published.

In May and November each year, NHS England makes decisions on which new treatments should be included for routine commissioning. The decisions are taken by the NHS England Board based on recommendations from the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group (CPAG), which is made up of doctors, health experts, and patient representatives.

On the Interterritorial Council that took place March 4th, 2019, the Working Plan for the Spanish Network for Health Technology Assessment was agreed and published. The working plan includes 22 health technology assessment reports, 7 monitoring studies, 9 clinical practice guidelines, and 1 evidence-based product.

On 20th of July, 2018, the Austrian HTA body, the Ludwig-Boltzmann Institute (LBI) has published an HTA report on efficacy and safety of endobronchial valve implantation for emphysema. The authors have concluded that the intervention is more effective but less safe than standard therapy in selected patients with severe emphysema. Inclusion in the national service catalogue is only recommended with restrictions.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) published new set of decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices in June. They concern orthopedic devices and endobronchial valve.