The revised EBM catalog for the fourth quarter of 2026 was published in Germany

On October 1, 2026, the revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog for the fourth quarter of 2026 came into force. The EBM catalog is used to reimburse day case and outpatient services under the fee-for-service model. The main changes introduced concern updates to the contents (service legends and preambles of several EBM subchapters) and the introduction of several new EBM codes. 

Examples of the changes introduced include the following: 

• The cost-cutting package for human genetics adopted by the Extended Evaluation Committee takes effect on October 1. Among other measures, it provides for a reduction in the reimbursement level for human genetic services and the introduction of additional volume-based reductions at the practice level. These measures are intended to reduce expenditure on human genetic in vitro diagnostics (EBM subchapter 11.4 “In vitro diagnostics of constitutional genetic alterations”) by 31%. The reductions are justified by “significantly lower” costs for analytical equipment and consumables; 
• Physicians can now bill the material costs for cold snares used during resections performed as part of gastrointestinal endoscopy via the EBM catalog. For this purpose, the materials covered under the EBM code 40460 have been expanded. Previously, it could only be billed for high-frequency diathermy snares. 

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