Five more health apps obtained reimbursement in Germany

In January-February 2023, five more health apps were introduced in the Directory of digital health applications (DiGAs) at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and thus became reimbursable. These apps can be prescribed by physicians and psychotherapists and will be reimbursed by sickness funds.

On January 5, 2023, two health apps developed by Selfapy GmbH, Germany, were introduced. "Selfapys Online-Kurs bei Binge-Eating-Störung" is the digital health app for those affected by binge eating disorder, "Selfapys Online-Kurs bei Bulimia Nervosa" - for patients with bulimia neurosa. The course of both apps imparts methods and techniques based on cognitive behavioral therapy and supports the implementation and documentation of the exercises intending to improve the user's symptoms. The apps are available in German with the same tariff of €540.

The "levidex" reimbursable health app, developed by GAIA AG, Germany, was introduced in the Directory on January 7, 2023. The app is indicated for patients with multiple sclerosis. "levidex" imparts methods and techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy and is intended for use by the patients themselves. Accordingly, physicians or psychotherapists do not have to provide any additional services (e.g., coaching or additional telephone calls) if they prescribe the app. "levidex" is available in German with a tariff of €2,077.40.

"Smoke Free - Rauchen aufhören" was introduced in the Directory of digital health applications on January 29, 2023. "Smoke Free - Rauchen aufhören" developed by Smoke Free 23 GmbH, Germany, is an evidence-based, digital smoking cessation therapy offered in the form of a smartphone app. It follows German and international guidelines for smoking cessation. DIGA includes a set of health behavior modification techniques based on established psychological theories. It is designed to meet the needs of smokers of different degrees of addiction in all phases of quitting smoking. The app is available in German and English with a tariff of €249.

On February 3, 2023, "Kaia Rückenschmerzen - Rückentraining für Zuhause" was introduced in the Directory. "Kaia Rückenschmerzen - Rückentraining für Zuhause" developed by Kaia Health Software GmbH, Germany, is a digital application for adult patients with non-specific back pain. It conveys the core content of multimodal therapy, based on guidelines and adapted to the patient's disease stage. The app consists of the following therapy elements: movement, knowledge, and relaxation. The contents are based on the specifications of the National Health Care Guideline (NVL) "Non-specific low back pain". Thanks to the multimodal therapy, "Kaia Rückenschmerzen - Rückentraining für Zuhause" effectively reduces the intensity of non-specific back pain and improves physical activity and the patient's understanding of the disease. The app considers the individual requirements of the patient, such as physical fitness, pain intensity, and pain localization, thus enabling therapy individually tailored to the patient. The app is available in German and English with a tariff of €489.39.

The full details in German can be found here (Selfapys Online-Kurs bei Binge-Eating-Störung), here (Selfapys Online-Kurs bei Bulimia Nervosa), here (levidex), here (Smoke Free - Rauchen aufhören), and here (Kaia Rückenschmerzen - Rückentraining für Zuhause).

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