Germany has officially begun the rollout of its long-awaited electronic patient file (ePA), marking a significant milestone in the modernization of the country’s healthcare system. As of April 29, healthcare providers, including doctors, therapists, hospitals, and pharmacies, have the option to implement the system, with a mandatory adoption set for October 1. The transition comes with a grace period to allow practices to equip themselves with the necessary software and tools, ensuring the ePA is seamlessly integrated into daily operations.
The Federal Ministry of Health and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) have emphasized the importance of this gradual rollout. “It takes time to integrate such a major tool into everyday care,” said KBV board member Dr. Sibylle Steiner. She encourages practices to test the system early and share feedback with software developers and Gematik to address potential improvements before the mandatory phase begins.
To support the transition, the KBV has made a “starter package” available online, including guides, infographics, and posters for waiting rooms to inform patients about how their data will be used and their right to opt out of sharing certain records.
How the Electronic Patient File Works
The ePA functions as a secure digital repository for treatment-relevant medical information—such as prescriptions, test results, and physician reports. Since January 15, 2025, statutory health insurers have automatically created an ePA for all insured persons, unless they explicitly opted out. This “opt-out” model marks a key shift in digital health policy, aiming to increase participation rates without burdening patients.
Patients can download their insurer’s ePA app onto a smartphone or tablet, giving them full control over their data: they can view documents, upload new ones, and manage access rights for healthcare providers. However, using the app is not required to benefit from the ePA—data can still be made available to treating professionals even if patients don’t actively manage their record.
By offering both greater transparency and more efficient care, the ePA is set to modernize patient treatment — while the government continues to address concerns about data protection and technical readiness.
