Health Technology Assessment

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a systematic, transparent and unbiased process of summarizing relevant information on the different aspects of health technology to inform the policy decisions. While efficacy and safety are always at the forefront when evaluating any treatment method in healthcare setting, HTA synthesizes this information with economic and organisational aspects resulting in evidence-based information on cost-effectiveness and budget impact. Thus, HTA supports safe, effective, and patient-centered health policies that seek to achieve best value for limited resources.

The Centre for Health Technology Assessment was established in 2012 as part of the Department of Public Health at the University of Tartu. 

The results of HTA are used by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund to make health care policy decisions about adding new diagnostic and treatment options to the list of health care services, and by the Ministry of Social Affairs to make decisions on the reimbursement of pharmaceuticals and on public health interventions. The recommendations and conclusions arising from HTA assist decisions to adjust the medical practices and clinical guidelines according to emerging evidence on efficacy and safety, and economic use of resources.

HTA centre contact information