News and blog posts

25

Jul 2017

We are expanding our team and looking for experienced health policy analysts with knowledge of European health care systems, medical writers and health economists to join us on a full time, part time or project basis. Read more

25

Jul 2017

SwissDRG has released overview of planned update of DRG system (version 7.0) in 2018, including list of preliminary approved add-on reimbursement categories. Add-on will be established for endobronchial valves, proton therapy, autologous matrix-induced chondrocyte implantation at knee joint and intermitted hemodialysis for removal of proteins with molecular mass up to 60,000 Da. Read more

24

Jul 2017

Hofmann and Gilbert published article exploring potential value of four novel diagnostic tests for clinicians: immunosignature for cancer and infections, breath test for lung cancer, patch vital sign monitoring and biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. Read more

24

Jul 2017

HAS is the key decision-making body in relation to evaluation of sufficiency of clinical evidence to establish add-on reimbursement for medical devices, development of new procedure (CCAM) and clinical biology (NABM) codes in France. Annual report provides valuable insights into evaluation landscape for medical device and IVD tests. MTRC has extracted key facts related to assessment of medical technologies from the report. Read more

21

Jul 2017

Dutch Health Care Authority (NZa) has been working on developing tariffs for diagnosis-related groups (DBCs) to reimburse special medical rehabilitation care (medisch-specialistische revalidatiezorg, msrz). Originally, it was planned to roll out new payment model (DRGs with national tariffs) in 2019, however, NZa decided that more time is needed to collect cost data to determine appropriate tariffs. Read more

20

Jul 2017

New version 5.0 of the guidance “Allgemeine Methoden” provides basis for the scientific work of the Institute and its external experts. Multiple changes were made to existing sections, several new sections were added as well. Guidance provides brief overview of assessments performed in connection to benefit assessment for high class risk medical technologies, submitted for the innovation funding (NUB) for the first time. Read more

19

Jul 2017

Researchers evaluated care process, access, administrative efficiency, equity and health care outcomes in 11 countries on the basis of published health care statistics for 72 indicators. The best overall performers among European countries were the UK (ranked 1st), the Netherlands (3rd), Norway (4th), Sweden and Switzerland (6th). Germany (8th) and France (10th) were low in the ranking. Read more

18

Jul 2017

The treatment with autologous fat transplantation (AFT) may be a part of the basic health insurance package under certain conditions, including defects of the head and / or neck region, HIV-associated lipoatrophy and, and fibrosis (scarring), as recommended by the Dutch Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland). Read more

17

Jul 2017

The NIP test is a non-invasive prenatal test aimed at detecting Down's syndrome in fetus. This test is a screening performed using mother's blood sample from the 12th week of pregnancy. From 1 July 2017, non-invasive prenatal test will be reimbursed for all pregnant women. Read more

14

Jul 2017

Report provides overview of procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy considerations for mechanical and pharmacomechanical (AngioJet, Boston Scientific) thrombectomy, catheter-directed and ultrasound-enhanced catheter-directed (EKOS, BTG) thrombolysis in iliac, femoral and popliteal veins in 11 European countries. Read more

13

Jul 2017

Current version of the DRG manual for hospital and day case care was approved in December 2016 by the Russian Federal Fund for Mandatory Medical Insurance (FFOMS). Since then, FFOMS has issued two updates of the DRG manual, mainly focused on use of organizational coefficients for DRGs in oncology, criteria for DRG for infections of upper respiratory tracts, change of definitions of frostbite. Read more

11

Jul 2017

Recently, CNEDiMTS at HAS issued positive recommendation for inclusion of HeartMate 3 ventricular assist device into add-on reimbursement catalogue (LPPR title III). No added value was established vs earlier version of device (HeartMate II), despite better safety profile demonstrated in the randomized controlled trial. Read more