Procedure coding

In November 2025, NHS England released a final summary of core changes between OPCS-4.10 and OPCS-4.11, a procedure coding classification updated every three years. Multiple changes were implemented, including 572 new four-character (subcategory) codes in various fields, such as cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, gastroenterology, urology and nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, men’s health, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology, orthopedics, spine, interventional radiology, and radiotherapy. OPCS-4.11 is expected to take effect on April 1, 2026.

On October 18, 2025, the Decision of the National Union of Health Insurance Funds (UNCAM) on the update of the list of procedures and services covered by the Health Insurance, including the CCAM Classification, was published. The updates do not include new codes and concern adjustments of tariffs and billing rules for conventional radiology procedures. The Decision also implements the update of technical packages for CT scanners, MRIs, and PET scans set by the Medical Convention.

On August 13, 2025, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) published the preliminary version of the 2026 OPS procedure coding classification. The OPS, together with the ICD-10-GM, forms the basis for the reimbursement systems in outpatient and inpatient care in Germany. The final version of the 2026 OPS procedure coding classification is expected to be published at the end of October 2025.

On July 31, 2025, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office (UFS) released the systematic version of the Swiss classification of surgical interventions (CHOP) for 2026. The CHOP classification is now available in German and will come into force on January 1, 2026. Multiple new procedure codes were introduced in various fields, including the cardiovascular, ENT, extracorporeal treatments, interventional radiology, nephrology and urology, orthopedics, peripheral vascular, and radionucleide therapy.

On July 10, 2025, a decision of the National Union of Health Insurance Funds regarding the update of the CCAM Classification of Medical Procedures was published. The update includes the provisional registration of one procedure code for transrectal HIFU destruction of prostate lesions and changes to indications and billing notes for several existing codes. The update takes effect on September 1, 2025.

On July 1, 2025, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated Nomenclature to recognize the new professional title "orthopedic technologist", replacing the former specialties of "bandaging specialist" and "orthotist". Two Articles were repealed, and three new Articles have been introduced, detailing reimbursement for services in bandagery, orthotics, prosthetics, and orthopedic footwear services.

In April 2025, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) opened the application period for including medical procedures and in-vitro diagnostic tests in its 2026 evaluation working program. The application deadline is July 8, 2025.

On May 15, 2025, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office announced that the 2025 application process for the further development of the Swiss Classification of Surgical Procedures (CHOP), which would result in changes in the CHOP 2027, is cancelled due to the federal government's cost-saving measures. The CHOP and Coding Manual for 2027 will only be developed based on deferred applications.

On May 01, 2025, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) published the first release of the 2026 DRG package (RZ26a). Three new procedure codes, seven new supplementary payments (OZPs), one new diagnosis code, and two new DRGs will be implemented across in-vitro diagnostics, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology and neurosurgery, cardiovascular and other technology groups.

On December 24, 2024, the decision of the National Union of Health Insurance Funds (UNCAM) regarding the update of the CCAM Classification of procedure codes was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. Changes include registration of three new procedure codes, modification of billing notes for certain procedures, and amendment of modifiers. The updates are expected to come into force on February 1, 2025.

In late November – early December 2024, the application period for 2026 ICD-10-GM (German modification of ICD-10 diagnosis codes), OPS (procedure codes), and DRG changes was opened by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the Institute for Hospital Remuneration Systems (INeK), respectively.

On October 31, 2024, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office (UFS) released the systematic version of the procedure code (CHOP) nomenclature for 2025. The nomenclature is now available in German, Italian, and French languages and will come into force on January 1, 2025. Multiple new procedure codes were introduced in various fields, including endoscopy, extracorporeal treatments, in-vitro diagnostics, interventional radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and radiotherapy.