The Swiss Health Technology Assessment (HTA) program is a unique, innovative program that connects research with policy making. In 2017, a HTA unit was established within the Federal Office of Public Health following a decision by the Federal Council in 2015 to intensify efforts in HTA.

The legal basis of the HTA program is Article 32 of the Federal Health Insurance Act, which specifies that health technologies (i.e., all preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions in health care) covered by the compulsory health insurance must be effective (E), appropriate (A), and economically efficient (E).

Health technologies that do not meet the EAE criteria are not eligible for coverage. For health technologies that are already reimbursed, re-evaluation of the criteria can result in the removal of technologies from the catalog of benefits or limitations being placed on their reimbursement.

The initial focus of the HTA program was the re-evaluation of controversial health technologies. This focus was later expanded to evaluating new and upcoming technologies through horizon scanning. Challenges encountered since the start of the program include:

• • aligning the classic HTA domains with the EAE criteria;

• • identifying suitable re-evaluation topics;

• • tailoring HTA processes to regulation options and decision-making processes; and

• • involving stakeholders in the HTA process without jeopardizing the quality and objectivity of the research.

Despite various initial challenges, the HTA program has become an acknowledged and appreciated actor within the Swiss reimbursement policy landscape. An outlook on the program’s future will also be shared.