We are using cookies.

We are using cookies on this web page. Some of them are required to run this page, some are useful to provide you the best web experience.

Patient information on the ePA
according to § 343 para, 1a SGB V

The Electronic Patient Record (ePA) explained simply

From 2025, all people with statutory health insurance will receive an ePA. In this overview, we explain how the ePA securely manages your health data and what options you have for using it.

The content:

- What is the ePA?

- The benefits of the ePA

- Data security

- How to use the ePA

- Who can access my ePA?

- Medical use cases of the ePA

- Support with using the ePA

- Changing health insurer and ePA

What is the ePA?

The Electronic Patient Record (ePA) is a personal, secure storage location for health data. In January 2025, all people with statutory health insurance will receive an ePA from their health insurance provider. It will enable you and authorised persons - such as your treating doctors - to manage your health data securely. In future, it will also be possible to conveniently view the ePA using a smartphone. Use of the ePA is voluntary. If you do not wish to use the ePA, you can simply object.

The benefits of the ePA

Treating doctors or clinics can store findings, diagnoses, doctor's letters and various certificates in the ePA. They also have the option of adding their own records or adding previous findings, for example. The ePA helps to improve medical care by connecting patients with doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. Instead of lots of individually filed information, all important health data can be found here at a glance.

Data security

The ePA is subject to test criteria developed by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Encrypted data processing takes place in a technically secure and trustworthy environment at the highest level. Neither the technical operator nor AOK Rheinland/Hamburg have access to your data.

How to use the ePA

From January 2025, with the introduction of the ‘ePA for all’, various access options to the Electronic Patient Record will be available. You will be able to view your ePA at special ombudsman centres and adjust the access rights as required. With your Electronic Health Card (eGK), you will also be able to use the ePA directly in the doctor's surgery or with service providers. In future, the ‘AOK Mein Leben App’ will enable particularly flexible use of the ePA. 

Who can access my EPA?

Doctors and clinics will only have access to your ePA if this is necessary for your medical care or healthcare, e.g. in connection with a visit or the utilisation of healthcare services. You are in control of the access authorisations: you decide who can access your data and can change or revoke these authorisations at any time.

Medical use cases of the ePA

From January 2025, you will be able to use the electronic medication list, which automatically contains all the medicines you have been prescribed. From mid-2025, the digital medication process will offer additional functions, such as checking for drug interactions and creating a medication plan. More details on the introduction, scope and utilisation of future use cases will be determined by the legislator.

Support with ePA use

In future, you will be able to use the ombudsman's office and the proxy function of the ePA for support when using the ePA. The proxy function allows you to nominate a trusted person to manage your ePA. From 2025, the ombudsman's office will advise you on questions about the ePA, implement objections and support you in the event of problems. You can also access the ePA there without an app. Both options can be combined as required.

Health insurance change and ePA

If you change health insurer after the introduction of ‘ePA for all’, your ePA data will be transferred automatically and securely. All existing objections and substitutions will be transferred. If you have objected to the transfer of benefit data, you must submit this objection again to your new health insurance company. 

Instructions and notes on the app

AOK Rheinland/Hamburg will provide you with all the necessary information on setting up the ePA via app and details on analogue use in good time. There will be various ways to uniquely identify yourself when you first log in on your smartphone. This will ensure that your data on your mobile phone is just as secure as with other methods of use.

Read on and find out more here:

A look over the shoulder at a doctor's surgery: ‘The ePA is essential’
InterviewLesezeit: 2:00 min.

A look over the shoulder at a doctor's surgery: ‘The ePA is essential’

Doctor Stefan Spieren is convinced that the electronic patient file brings numerous benefits for patients and doctors. In this interview, he explains how he introduced the ePA in his practice, which functions he uses most frequently and how all sides benefit from it.

‘After six months of ePA, we are looking at a success story’
InterviewLesezeit: 3:00 min.

‘After six months of ePA, we are looking at a success story’

The Electronic Patient Record will be introduced for all people with statutory health insurance on 15 January 2025. Günter Wältermann, CEO of AOK Rheinland/Hamburg, reveals the benefits in an interview.

The Electronic Patient Record (ePA) explained simply
Interner Link

The Electronic Patient Record (ePA) explained simply

From 2025, all people with statutory health insurance will receive an ePA. Find out here at a glance how the ePA securely manages your health data and what benefits it offers.

Electronic Patient Record (ePA): All information at a glance
ArtikelLesezeit: min.

Electronic Patient Record (ePA): All information at a glance

The ePA allows you to keep track of your health data. From 2025, health insurance companies will provide the ePA automatically. Read how you can benefit from the ePA.

Haben Sie noch Fragen?

Uns ist bewusst, dass Sie als gesetzlich Versicherte/r viele Fragen zum Thema elektronische Patientenakte (ePA) haben. Antworten auf viele Fragen finden Sie hier:

ePA leicht erklärt

Glossar

Sollte eine Frage völlig offen geblieben sein, schreiben Sie sie uns gern. Basierend auf Ihren Zuschriften werden wir weitere hilfreiche Inhalte für alle Versicherten bereitstellen.