Evaluations of health interventions in social insurance-based countries: Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in social insurance-based, or so-called 'Bismarck' health care systems (Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands) has taken a different course than in either taxed-based (Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom, and Spain) or private health care systems (such as the United States). The culture of informed decisions supported by transparent and evidence-based evaluations of health interventions was hindered by the strong professional autonomy and sectoral interests in Germany and Austria for a long time. On the other hand, HTA has a long-standing tradition in the Netherlands. In all three countries sickness funds play an important role in implementing evaluations-as a policy tool-by linking reimbursement to explicit proof of effectiveness in both new and established interventions. This article focuses on the obstacles and opportunities for HTA in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands as countries with insurance-based health care systems.