Publication Digest: Covering digital health applications in the public insurance system: how to foster innovation in patient care while mitigating financial risks-evidence from Germany

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Groene et al. conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Germany's pioneering policy to include digital health applications in the statutory health insurance system, aiming to assess its impact, highlight challenges, and propose prospective policy options. Through analysis of publicly available data from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices and empirical findings published by academic institutions and sickness funds, the authors delineated areas for improvement, such as low prescription rates and temporary reimbursement of applications that lack proven benefit. The authors advocated for value-based pricing and increased budget authority for insurance organizations to foster innovation while ensuring optimal resource allocation in healthcare.

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