Belgium

On June 29, 2026, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) published an update on the ongoing reform of the Nomenclature of healthcare services, including progress across key phases, methodological developments, and timelines. The reform aims to separate physician remuneration from practice costs and is scheduled for publication on October 1, 2028, with national implementation planned from January 1, 2029.

On July 1, 2026, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the Nomenclature of healthcare services. Several new procedure codes were introduced concerning neurovascular, gynecology, and eHealth fields.

In May 2026, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) published an updated reimbursement agreement (Convention) for next-generation sequencing (NGS) in oncology and hemato-oncology. Multiple changes were introduced, including seven new reimbursement categories (Pseudocodes) covering additional clinical indications and new supplements for performing NGS or RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on liquid biopsy samples in limited solid tumor indications. The updated Convention will enter into force on July 1, 2026.

In April 2026, five health apps were added to Level 3+ of the mHealthBelgium validation pyramid, making them eligible for regular reimbursement within the “Remote monitoring of oncology patients” care pathway in Belgium.

In March 2026, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the List of implants and invasive medical devices, effective April 1, 2026. One new material code was introduced for radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules. Nominative lists of brands were updated as well, with new devices added in the cardiovascular, neurovascular, orthopedics, and some other fields.

In January 2026, the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE) published one Health Technology Assessment report on blood-based biomarkers in mild traumatic brain injury and two Health Service Research (HSR) reports addressing chronic pain management and the shift from inpatient to day and ambulatory care.

In February 2026, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the List of implants and invasive medical devices. One new material code was introduced for percutaneous cryoablation of desmoid tumors. Nominative lists of brands were updated as well, with new devices added in cardiovascular, neuromodulation, and orthopedic fields.

In January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) updated “Low variability care” (APR-DRG) system for 2026. Overall, no significant changes were made to the system: no new DRGs were introduced, and tariffs remained nearly unchanged.

On December 5, 2025, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the List of implants and invasive medical devices effective January 1, 2026. A new section “Cardiac defibrillator” was added with 15 new material codes for single-chamber cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), dual-chamber ICDs, cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D), subcutaneous cardiac defibrillators, and electrodes. A new Nominative list was created with eligible branded devices in connection with new material codes for cardiac defibrillators.

In October 2025, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the List of implants and invasive medical devices. A new sub-chapter with multiple material codes for the reconstruction of large bone defects and a new sub-chapter with a material code for a pre-formed periarticular osteosynthesis plate were introduced. Two new Nominative lists for brand-specific devices for the reconstruction of large bone defects were also published.

On September 8, 2025, the FPS Public Health opened the “Reducing Single-Use in Hospitals (ReSUH)” call, inviting accredited general, psychiatric, and university hospitals to implement concrete measures to reduce single-use medical products within a broader sustainability strategy.

In September 2025, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) updated the list of reimbursable companion diagnostics. A new clinical indication, urothelial carcinoma, was introduced, with two new predictive biomarker tests included in the List.