The Institute for Hospital Remuneration Systems (INeK) in Germany officially launched the application process for the 2024 innovation funding of novel examination and treatment methods (NUB) on September 1, 2023. In this endeavor, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has issued a crucial reminder to hospitals applying for innovation funding, emphasizing an essential obligation.
When applying for innovation funding through the NUB mechanism and utilizing medical devices classified as high-risk (Class IIb and III), hospitals must collaborate with medical device manufacturers to submit comprehensive information about the applied method to the G-BA. Remarkably, this requirement, mandated by §137h of SGB V, applies irrespective of whether INeK approves the innovation funding method. The core rationale behind this obligation is to bolster security and enhance patient protection.
Crucially, it is not within the purview of the applying hospital to determine whether the method is genuinely innovative or if the medical device represents a notably invasive approach. This determination is made by the G-BA, which subsequently issues a decision. To streamline the process, hospitals and medical device manufacturers can seek preliminary assessment by the G-BA to confirm compliance with the requirements outlined in §137h SGB V.
Hospitals are urged to act promptly within the current application period. NUB applications will be submitted to INeK and requisite information will be transmitted to the G-BA no later than October 31, 2023.
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