Germany’s new electronic patient record (ePA/elektronische Patientenakte), now officially in place, asks the sickness insured population to actively opt out of the scheme if they wish. The health ministry’s (BMG) precursor initiative was based on an “opt-in” which failed to get traction.
Germany’s ePatient Record Needs More Industry Input, Say Medtechs
The electronic patient record, a key piece of Germany’s new “DigiG” digital health law, was rolled out on 15 January, presaging more efficient delivery of targeted patient care and new opportunities for medical research informed by data.

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The IVD industry’s new 10-point plan for healthcare change shows that medtechs will keep calling the German government to account. Tariffs, sector resilience, digital functionality are among the pressing issues industry wants answers to.
Whoever is handed the health portfolio in Germany’s new coalition government will face demands to amend the recently-enacted hospital and DRGs reform law. The medtech industry has been quick to make the case for change.
Germany’s Union parties may have little alternative than to bring the SPD into a new four-year coalition, says Clifford Chance partner and life sciences legal expert Gunnar Sachs. Health policy will likely see both textural and structural changes.
Germany’s government-industry healthcare industry roundtables have yielded a final report, even though the program was curtailed by the snap election. The new CDU-led government should pick up the baton, medtech industry associations say.
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