Release of provisional OPS procedure catalogue for 2019 in Germany by DIMDI

On February 17, 2022, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has decided to include the method of matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI) on the knee joint in the case of symptomatic cartilage damage in the lists of reimbursed procedures in the hospital and ambulatory settings.

On February 16, 2022, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has published the decisions which recommended the transfer to standard care for three completed projects. The projects relate to the prevention of antibiotic resistance, improvement of healthcare in socially disadvantaged areas, and misuse of control colonoscopies in Germany.

In February 2022, two more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by health insurers. In total, thirty health apps are now available at the DiGA Directory.

In late January 2022, 19 new procedure codes were introduced by the Code Service of the Finnish National Health and Wellbeing Institution (THL). The introduced codes are dedicated to diagnostic imaging and image-guided interventions.

On January 20, 2022, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has initiated an evaluation procedure for early benefit assessment for the use of a stent retriever (pRELAX by femtos) to treat vasospasm of cerebral arteries after subarachnoid hemorrhage.