The BfArM published the OPS 2023 on its website on October, 27th.
The OPS is the procedural classification that is maintained, further developed and provided by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Until its incorporation into the BfArM in May 2020, this task was carried out by the DIMDI (German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information). The OPS represents the German modification of the International Classification of Procedures in Medicine (ICPM).
The OPS is used as a service record for inpatient services according to § 301 SGB V and in the area of outpatient surgery according to § 295 SGB V.
The OPS contains more than 30,000 alphanumeric, up to six-digit keys allowing to code for all operations and medical procedures in Germany. The coding is mandatory.
The OPS is primarily used for statistical and administrative processes. It is used to assign in-patient treatment cases to DRGs, additional charges or NUBs (new examination and treatment methods) and thus represents a central basis for therapy reimbursement, billing and for healthcare market analyses.
In order to be successful in the primary German healthcare market with an innovative medical technology, it is important to receive specific reimbursement. This is the only way for users to integrate the technology into their business models.
In discussions with our clients, it becomes clear that the importance and relevance of a specific OPS-code is often underestimated in this context.
This means, that the implementation of a specific OPS-code must already be planned together with the CE-mark authorisation. If this is not done, it must be done at the latest within the context of a NUB application or a proposal for the development of the G-DRG-system to the InEK (Institute for the Hospital Remuneration System, “German DRG-institute").
Such a specific OPS code can now be applied for at the BfArM until the end of February 2023.
Healthcare Heads has extensive experience in preparing OPS applications and will be happy to support you in submitting the application on time.
You can find more information on applying for a specific OPS code here.
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