The year 2023 saw new reimbursements from RIZIV-INAMI for implantable ear-nose-throat (ENT) devices, thereby improving our patients’ access to specific care. For children with unilateral deafness, a cochlear implant is now being reimbursed, on account of conducted studies demonstrating an improvement in several aspects of hearing and learning, following cochlear implantation. For patients with sleep apnea syndrome not responding to CPAP, the hypoglossal nerve stimulator is now being reimbursed under certain conditions, after many years of procedural usage within clinical studies. In addition, an automated process has been introduced for skin allergy testing, improving both the reliability and reproducibility of our examinations. All these elements are certainly instrumental in improving patient care from diagnosis to treatment.
Keywords
Unilateral deafness, cochlear implant, skin prick tests, hypoglossal nerve, sleep apnea syndrome