The Healthcare Technology Evaluation Agency was created in 1994 (RD 1415/1994) as part of the Carlos III Healthcare Institute to meet the consulting needs of the National Healthcare System for defining its Healthcare Policies in the major line of socially advanced Healthcare Systems.

To achieve this, it must offer objective assessment of the healthcare, social, ethical, organizational, and economic impact of medical-healthcare techniques and procedures to bolster the decisions taken by authorities and other healthcare agents, either through

the systemised introduction of new technologies in clinical practice,
the definition of the appropriate use of already established technologies,
or the organization of health services.

This general work supporting the decision-making processes on healthcare services was consolidated and specified by Law 16/2003, enacted on 28 May, Cohesion and Quality of the National Healthcare System which expressly binds AETS to the procedure for updating the Services Portfolio.

Due to its nature and the area of activities, AETS must maintain a strict functional relation with the National Healthcare System General Cohesion and High Inspection Department, in addition to its organic membership in General Sub-Department for the Evaluation and Promotion of Research of the Carlos III Health Institute, in accordance with the Bylaws amended by R.D. 590/2005 of 20 May.

Carlos III Health Institute. Internet Information Services