Health insurers, numbering eleven, connected to telematics infrastructure
Private Health Insurers Connect to Germany's Telematics Infrastructure
For the first time, eleven private health insurers in Germany have been connected to the Telematics Infrastructure (TI), marking a significant step forward in healthcare digitalization and interoperability. The Austrian IT company, Research Industrial Systems Engineering (Rise), handled the technical implementation of the connection.
The connection enables seamless integration and communication between private health insurers and other healthcare stakeholders via TI, which is the standardized digital infrastructure for healthcare in Germany. This integration offers multiple benefits, including digital application use cases such as electronic patient records (ePA), electronic prescriptions, and communication platforms (KIM), enhancing efficiency and reducing administrative burden.
Policyholders have a choice of two e-prescription accesses: the Rise e-prescription module or the official e-prescription app of gematik. The modular architecture of the app allows for both direct integration into the systems of the PHIs and later expansion with additional TI services. As a result, policyholders of the participating PHIs can now access TI-supported applications such as the electronic prescription.
The app also supports online check-in at doctor's practices and integrates the authenticator module of the sectoral identity provider (IDP), allowing policyholders to authenticate uniquely for the health ID. The health ID serves as a digital identity in the healthcare system and is a mandatory prerequisite for accessing applications like ePA or e-prescription.
The project, completed within eight months, includes providing a central TI app as a connecting interface between policyholder end devices and the TI. This connection contributes to broadening the scope and reach of the TI, making it a more comprehensive nationwide system that covers both statutory and private insurers.
Digitalization facilitates a shift toward more personalized and data-driven insurance products. However, there are potential challenges regarding data accuracy and security, as telematics systems rely on precise and secure data exchange. Errors or data mismatches could affect risk assessments or claims management.
Nevertheless, this integration supports the German healthcare system's broader goal of digital transformation by linking more participants, improving service quality, and lowering costs through streamlined, automated processes. It paves the way for improved care coordination, innovative insurance models, and more efficient administrative processes within the healthcare and insurance sectors.
[1] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (2021). Telematikinfrastruktur. Retrieved from https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/themen/digitale-gesundheitsversorgung/telematikinfrastruktur-ti.html
[2] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (2021). Telematikinfrastruktur: Neue Funktionalitäten und Anwendungen. Retrieved from https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/themen/digitale-gesundheitsversorgung/telematikinfrastruktur-ti/neue-funktionalitaeten-und-anwendungen.html
[3] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (2021). Telematikinfrastruktur: Zielsetzungen und Erwartungen. Retrieved from https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/themen/digitale-gesundheitsversorgung/telematikinfrastruktur-ti/zielsetzungen-und-erwartungen.html
[4] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (2021). Telematikinfrastruktur: Chancen und Risiken. Retrieved from https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/themen/digitale-gesundheitsversorgung/telematikinfrastruktur-ti/chancen-und-risiken.html
- The integration of private health insurers into Germany's Telematics Infrastructure has the potential to enhance 'health-and-wellness' services by streamlining processes like electronic patient records, electronic prescriptions, and communication platforms.
- As more healthcare stakeholders connect to the Telematics Infrastructure, there is a growing need for 'security' measures to protect sensitive medical-conditions data exchanged through telematics systems.
- The digitalization of healthcare services through the Telematics Infrastructure also opens up opportunities for 'finance' sector, leading to more personalized and data-driven insurance products, but it also raises concerns about 'data accuracy' and 'security'.
