- Promotion of Digital Health Records
The digital health file is picking up speed. Health insurance providers in Hesse are sending out letters to their subscribers, providing them with details. This digital file is intended to include information on test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans. The goal is to give doctors easy access to all necessary information and documents.
The Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is sending out these letters in several batches across the country. By winter, they aim to have contacted all their subscribers. The AOK Hesse is also currently notifying their subscribers about this matter.
"Paperwork is history!"
This digital file brings several benefits for the patients, as the TK explains: "No more paperwork. You can always access your vaccination records with a click. You can easily see your scheduled preventive checks. You're aware of which meds and services have been billed."
Subscribers also have the option of uploading their own documents to this file, as the AOK explains. "In doing so, strict data protection measures are put in place to safeguard your health data from unauthorized access."
Protest possible
The digital file will be implemented on January 15, 2025. Health insurance providers are obligated to "create an ePA for all insured individuals, unless the insured individuals object," as stated by the German Medical Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV). As a result, insurance providers are not just required to inform their customers about the file, but also about the option to object.
With this so-called opt-out regulation, lawmakers aim to boost the use of the file. According to the KBV, only a tiny fraction of all insured individuals have voluntarily requested a digital record since it was made available in January 2021.
"This digital file, which includes details about test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans, is now being offered by Health insurance providers in Hesse to their subscribers. To avoid dealing with paperwork, subscribers can object to the creation of an ePA by January 15, 2025, as required by the German Medical Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians."
