Healthcare system changes in 2025 in Germany

The Federal Ministry of Health summarized multiple changes in the healthcare system that will be introduced in 2025. The most important ones relate to the further steps in digitalizing healthcare and hospital reform:

Digitalization

• In line with the Law to Accelerate the Digitization of the Healthcare System (Digital Law - DigiG), the electronic patient record (ePA) will transition to an opt-out model starting January 15, 2025. The implementation of the ePA by sickness funds, along with the processes for populating its content and accessing the stored data, will be significantly simplified;
• By March 31, 2025, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) is tasked with making decisions on the design of structured treatment programs incorporating digitalized care processes. These decisions will define how applications such as the ePA, the electronic medication plan, communication in the medical sector (KIM), the TI Messenger (TIM), and video consultations can be utilized in the treatment of diabetes. The care processes developed based on these decisions are to be offered to insured individuals as an additional option alongside the existing Disease Management Program (DMP);
• Starting January 1, 2025, manufacturers will no longer need to undergo the time-consuming, case-by-case review of digital health application information security by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Instead, they will be required to submit a certificate verifying compliance with information security requirements. This certificate will be issued following a thorough evaluation conducted by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). This streamlined and standardized testing process reduces the workload for both the BfArM and manufacturers;
• By March 31, 2025, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) and pharmacists are expected to reach an agreement on the legal framework and reimbursement regulations for providing assisted telemedicine services in pharmacies. For instance, pharmacies will be able to advise patients on outpatient telemedicine services and guide them on their proper use. Additionally, pharmacies will support patients in performing simple, routine medical tasks as part of a medical telemedicine consultation.

Hospital reform

• The Law to Improve the Quality of Care in Hospitals and to Reform Reimbursement Structures (Hospital Care Improvement Act, KHVVG), which came into force on December 11, 2024, after its publication in the Federal Gazette, represents a significant shift from the existing reimbursement system for inpatient care. The restructuring will commence in 2025 and proceed gradually, with federal states assigning areas of responsibility (service groups) to hospitals by the end of 2026. The financing system will then undergo changes between 2027 and 2028.

The full details in German can be found here.

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