by Bernhard Kirschner
Since the end of April, electronic patient records have been available nationwide for people with statutory health insurance. All medical data is to be digitally recorded and bundled in these records.
Patient records now digital
People with statutory health insurance will automatically receive their electronic patient record (ePA) from their health insurance provider. All medically relevant data can be stored there. Insured persons can then make this information available to doctors’ offices, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. This includes, for example, medical findings, X-ray images, doctor’s letters, surgical reports, or medications.
Advantages of electronic patient records
Healthcare experts expect this to lead to more effective treatment through quick access to medical history. This saves time-consuming preliminary consultations and avoids duplicate examinations, according to a website of the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesgesundheitsministerium | Elektronische Patientenakte). Doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities can currently still enter findings into the file on a voluntary basis. From October, they will be obliged to do so. Patients can decide what is included and who has access, according to the Federal Ministry of Health.
Health insurance companies responsible for access
Every statutory health insurance company offers its own smartphone app for electronic patient records. These can be downloaded and installed from the usual app stores. Access via laptop or desktop PC will only be possible from mid-July 2025. Health insurance companies will inform their insured members themselves about how this works and what access authorizations are required. This will be done step by step. This means that some insured persons may already have received the information, while others have not yet done so.
Use of electronic files is voluntary
The use of electronic patient files is voluntary. Anyone who has concerns about data security, for example, can object to their health insurance company. The latter must provide appropriate options, such as forms, as is the case with the AOK, for example: AOK | Objection to electronic patient files
Security concerns of consumer protection agencies
Since electronic patient files store sensitive health data, they must be specially protected. High security requirements apply, which have been met according to the responsible authorities. Nevertheless, consumer protection advocates continue to have concerns about possible vulnerabilities. The Chaos Computer Club has repeatedly succeeded in penetrating the system and exposing security gaps: tagesschau.de | Hackers crack electronic patient files
Further information is available at:
Consumer Advice Center | Electronic patient records
tagesschau.de | Electronic patient records
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