ePA for all - The electronic patient file
In spring 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 at a glance
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.
Every person with statutory health insurance will automatically receive an electronic health record unless he or she actively objects (opt-out procedure). This change affects 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.
Our chatbot Vida will answer your questions about the ePA. Click on the small symbol at the bottom right of this page to access the ePA policyholder helpdesk. Enter a keyword and Vida will offer you possible solutions.
Your right of objection
Anyone who does not wish to use the ePA can object.
Since 15.01.2025, all patient files have been created nationwide for the first time. This process has already been completed for BKK EWE policyholders. Access for registration has been created for all insured persons. All objections received by 15.01.2025 were taken into account and no files were created for these insured persons.
For technical reasons, an ePA will initially be created for all currently incoming objections, which will be deleted after six weeks from receipt of the objection by BKK EWE. This applies to the entire file, including any content.
You can revoke this objection at any time. If you wish to do so, please contact us.
Vorteile der ePA für alle
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.
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
Protection of your health data
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.
Terms of use
The terms of use constitute a contract between you and BKK EWE. The conditions include provisions on transfer, registration, rights and obligations of both parties and much more. You must agree to these terms and conditions in order to be able to use an electronic patient file.
Privacy policy
The security of your data is guaranteed at all times, as the strictest data protection requirements for manufacturers and operators apply to the approval and operation of the ePA. The servers on which the data is stored are located in Germany.
We process your personal data only to the extent necessary to provide or use a functional ePA. You can find our detailed privacy policy below.
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: 17.03.2025
