In-vitro diagnostic tests

In April 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released five Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the evaluation of prognostic models of metastasis in colorectal cancer, assessment of e-Health platform for low back pain and the results of the “CONtact TrAcing in Care homes using digital Technology” trial. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS, and informs NICE guidance.

On April 14, 2025, the National Board of Health and Welfare was tasked to allocate 80 million SEK from the government to support Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS) project in 2025. Funding will be distributed to several projects, including the development and/or implementation of innovative technologies such as whole genome sequencing based on long DNA reads, gene panels for sensitive detection of residual disease, and precision diagnostics (liquid biopsies for solid tumors, detection of antibiotic resistance).

On April 10, 2025, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 201 and 097 with changes to be implemented no later than June 11, 2025. Ten new procedure codes concerning men’s health, endoscopy, gynecology, orthopedic, and surgical procedures fields and seven new diagnostic codes were introduced.

In March 2025, Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare announced innovations awarded through Competition 26 Phase 3 for Urgent & Emergency Care, launched in July 2024. A total of £3.9 million was allocated for the development of nine innovations, of which eight were concerned with e-health and one with in-vitro diagnostics.

On April 4, 2025, NHS England published the final NHS Payment Scheme (NHSPS) for the 2025/26 financial year (starting on April 1st), defining payment mechanisms for the provision of NHS-funded hospital and ambulatory care and some public health services. No significant changes were made to the general payment model. The key changes include the introduction of reimbursement for activities from Community Diagnostic Centres and a new Best Practice Tariff to incentivize shifting suitable procedures from day case/hospital to outpatient settings.

In March 2025, the Draft Order amending the Common Package of Benefits of the National Health System and some other related legislative orders were released for public consultation. The Draft Order focuses on updating public health and primary care services, expanding neonatal and cancer screenings, improving equity in access to in-vitro fertilization, refining rehabilitation definitions, including patients in genetic advisory bodies, and modifying the system for ortho-prosthetic products.

In March 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the results of the studies provided within the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs NICE guidance.

On March 19, 2025, the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) announced 28 new innovators (“Fellows”) with healthcare solutions awarded to join the program in 2025. NIA provides intensive, tailored support to proven healthcare solutions, helping to accelerate their adoption and maximize their impact across the NHS. Awarded innovations concern e-Health, in-vitro diagnostic, gynecology, neuromodulation, and sustainability.

On March 23, 2025, the Norwegian Directorate of Health released an updated version of the Norwegian Laboratory Code (NLK) system and associated tariffs to be implemented no later than May 1, 2025. A total of 143 new codes were added in the biochemistry, microbiology, clinical pharmacology, and immunology fields

In March 2025, two new versions of the Nomenclature of Medical Biology Procedures (NABM 95 and 96) were released. No new tests were added. The reimbursement tariffs for several existing tests were adjusted, and one test was removed.

In February and March 2025, the Common Catalog of Genetic and Genomic Tests of the National Health System was updated in Spain. A new section, “Hepatic diseases,” was added, including 24 tests for multiple hepatic diseases.

On February 21, 2025, the “New Method” framework published an annual summary of the Decision Forum and Ordering Forum work in 2024. Among 109 coverage decisions in 2024, only one was for Med Tech (Oncotype DX), while all others concerned pharmaceuticals.