The electronic patient file (ePA) for everyone - a digital health revolution
From 2025, the electronic patient file (ePA) will be introduced for all people with statutory health insurance in Germany. This major change is set to revolutionize the healthcare system by facilitating the exchange and use of health data between patients, doctors and other medical institutions.
The complete medical file with just one click
The ePA is a digital file in which all of a person's important health data can be stored and managed centrally. This includes doctor's reports, medication plans, vaccinations, diagnostic reports and other health-related documents. The aim of the ePA is to provide a complete and up-to-date overview of the patient's medical history and thus improve the quality and efficiency of medical care.
How the ePA works for everyone
How data is protected in the ePA
How the ePA is protected against viruses
How to search documents in the ePA
From 2025, everyone with statutory health insurance will automatically receive an electronic health record unless they actively object (opt-out procedure). This change will affect around 73 million people with statutory health insurance.
The ePA is managed via a special app provided by the health insurance companies. In this app, you can view your health data, add or remove documents and set individual access rights. This gives you full control over your data and enables personalized use of the ePA.
Anyone who does not want the ePA to be set up can object to this within a certain period of time.
Advantages of the ePA for everyone
As the central anchor of digital healthcare, the ePA offers significant benefits for everyone, insured persons and service providers alike:
1. improved medical care
- Doctors and other service providers can directly access the patient's complete medical history. This makes diagnosis and treatment much easier, as all relevant information is available in one place.
- Duplicate examinations are avoided, which saves time and money. This is particularly beneficial when changing doctors, as new doctors have immediate access to all the necessary information.
2. time saving and efficiency
- The central storage of health data eliminates the need for time-consuming collection of information from various sources.
- Pharmacies, hospitals and other medical facilities also have access to the necessary information, which facilitates cooperation and coordination.
3. modern data protection
- The ePA is encrypted according to the highest security standards and stored in secure data centers in Germany. This ensures that the data is protected against unauthorized access.
- Insured persons have control over their data at all times and can determine who has access to which information.
4. research and development
- Pseudonymized data from the ePA can be used for medical research purposes. This enables the development of new treatment methods and the identification of previously unknown correlations.
- Insured persons can object to the use of their data for research purposes if they do not wish this.
5. easy management and accessibility
- All important health documents are available anytime and anywhere. This is particularly convenient for patients who travel frequently or live in rural areas where access to medical facilities may be limited.
- The app offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easier to manage health data. Insured persons can add, delete or edit documents and easily adjust access rights.
Safe is safe
The security of the stored data is essential for the use of the ePA. It is encrypted in accordance with the highest security standards and stored in German data centers. Data is transmitted via secure channels and the ePA can only be accessed in the context of treatment. This means that only treating doctors and other medical professionals with a legitimate interest can access the data. In addition, insured persons have the option of individually managing and controlling access to their data at any time.
The countdown is on
The path to the nationwide introduction of the ePA is the result of intensive preparations. Since January 2021, people with statutory health insurance have been entitled to a free electronic patient record. However, use was previously voluntary and insured persons had to actively apply for an ePA from their health insurance provider. This hurdle has meant that only a fraction of those entitled have actually used an ePA to date.
A look into the future
The technical implementation of the ePA is carried out by gematik. The ePA is continuously being developed and equipped with new functions. For example, there are plans to expand the ePA with functions such as electronic prescriptions, digital prescriptions, the TI messenger (for direct messages) and the connection to the organ donor register.
Information material
The ePA - information for patients in easy language
ePA explained in plain language
Get comprehensive information!
ePA for everyone - personal data, personal decisions
FAQ on the ePA for all
Opt-out means that all insured persons automatically receive an ePA unless they actively object. This facilitates the widespread introduction of the EPR and ensures that as many people as possible can benefit from the advantages.
Insured persons can manage their ePA via a special app provided by the health insurance company. In the app, they can add and delete documents and manage access rights.
Yes, the data stored in the ePA is encrypted multiple times and is stored in secure data centers in Germany. Only authorized persons and institutions have access to the data in the context of treatment.
Yes, insured persons can object to their data being used for research purposes. This option is available in the ePA app.
Insured persons can object to the setting up of an ePA at any time. This can be done at the health insurance company or via the ePA app. Any ePAs that have already been set up will then be deleted.
Doctors and other service providers can access the ePA in the context of treatment in order to view relevant health information or store new information in your ePA. This facilitates collaboration and ensures coordinated treatment.
Medical reports, medication plans, findings, vaccinations and other health-related documents can be stored in the ePA. Insured persons have control over which data is stored and shared.
Published on: 05.09.2024 - Last modified on: 06.11.2024
