Germany’s Digital Health Agency Gains New Powers as Electronic Medication Plan Pilots in Three Regions
Published on 07/23/2026 at 15:42 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The German cabinet has approved draft legislation that significantly expands the authority of the state-run digital health agency gematik, part of a broader push to stabilise the country’s telematics infrastructure and make the electronic patient record (ePA) more appealing to users. The bill, known as the Law to Strengthen the Health Digital Agency (GeDIG), is expected to generate annual savings of roughly €445 million.
Under the proposed rules, gematik will gain the power to revoke approvals for IT components that show technical defects, a move designed to improve system reliability. The changes come as the latest TI-Atlas report, published for 2026, shows that around 50 percent of nursing homes are now connected to the telematics infrastructure. Officials say the system is being increasingly stabilised through the TI-Gateway, a tool intended to simplify access for healthcare providers.
Pilot phase for electronic medication plan begins
A key feature of the ePA expansion is the electronic medication plan (eMP), which launched in a pilot phase on 15 July 2026 across the Franconia region, Hamburg, and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. The eMP provides patients with a structured overview of their medications, including information on allergies and intolerances.
A nationwide rollout is scheduled for autumn 2026. Under the new rules, patients prescribed at least three medications—a group that accounts for roughly 36 percent of all statutory health insurance members—will have a legal right to the eMP. Surveys indicate that about 90 percent of respondents view the introduction positively. Additional features are planned from 2027, including AI-assisted diagnostic report processing, full-text search capabilities, and digital vaccination certificates by mid-year.
Pharmacies and software developers align on integration
The German Pharmacists’ Association (DAV) and the Federal Association of Pharmacy Software Houses (ADAS) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at deeper integration of the eMP into pharmacy management systems.
Under the agreement, pharmacies will be able to check drug interactions more efficiently and make dosage adjustments digitally in real time, for instance during supply bottlenecks. They will also be permitted to add over-the-counter medicines and narcotics to the patient record. Access to the ePA remains limited to three calendar days after the health card is inserted.
Medical associations push back on expanded data access
The GeDIG has drawn sharp criticism from Germany’s leading medical organisations. The Hartmannbund, the Federal Medical Association (BÄK), and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) have all objected to what they describe as excessive data-access rights for health insurers.
The groups argue that allowing insurers to use ePA data for automated prevention alerts or AI-driven analyses—without first consulting treating physicians—represents a fundamental shift that undermines clinical autonomy. The KBV warned that the changes could lead to economically driven patient steering rather than medically sound care.
Digital service fees extended through 2026
The KBV and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds have agreed to extend the €11.34 flat fee for initially filling the ePA until the end of 2026. Under the terms of the Statutory Health Insurance Savings Act, which was passed by the Bundestag and Bundesrat on 10 July 2026, this reimbursement will be eliminated from 1 January 2027. The savings law targets total cost reductions of €16.3 billion for 2027.
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