Discharge letter from the clinic:A doctor creates the document, which is automatically connected to the clinic's secure data network.
Data encryption:The discharge letter is transmitted encrypted to ensure the security of the data.
Central server:The data is stored on servers in Germany. A personal data access key ensures that the information is protected.
Access for the family doctor:The treating family doctor can connect to the secure network and view the updated patient file.
Legitimization:Doctors receive permission to read your file as soon as they scan your insurance card.
Check by the patient:You can use the app to see at any time what data has been saved and what changes have been made. You also have the option to revoke permissions here.
- Reject ePA completely:If an insured person objects, the health insurance company must immediately delete the ePA including all data.
Deny access to doctors:If you do not want a specific doctor to be able to view your data, you can block access to your file for him or her or limit the permission (usually for 90 days).
Delete or hide documents:If you do not want to make certain information visible to all doctors, you can hide or delete this data in the app. Doctors are not informed about which documents are missing or hidden.
Refuse to use data for research:From 2026, anonymized data from the ePA will be used for medical research. If you object to this, you can refuse to have your data used for research purposes.
From then on15 January 2025According to the Federal Ministry of Health, doctors are obliged to include important medical documents from treatment, such as doctor's letters and diagnostic reportsdigital patient file (ePA)to set. In other words, as of today, all insured people in Germany will legally receive an ePA. You can view and manage your health data at any time using a special app - from doctor's letters to X-rays to medication plans. But what does that mean specifically for you? And what rights do you have as a patient? Here you will find out everything you should know about the new digital patient file.
Your rights regarding the digital patient file ePA
One of the most important features of the EHR is thisRight to self-determination over your information. You decide what data is stored in your file and who can access it. The Patient Data Protection Act guarantees that you alone have control over your data. Doctors are obliged to inform you about the information stored and to point out the possibility of not storing certain data - for example in the case of mental illnesses or sexually transmitted infections.
When you consult a specific doctor or specialist, you can also decide for yourself whether he or she has full access to your medical history or only to selected information. You can use the ePA app to adjust the permissions and deny access to certain doctors or limit their time. This flexibility allows you to control exactly who knows what about your health.
This is how the electronic patient file (ePA) works
Doctors, clinics, pharmacies and therapists can use the ePA to access documents and information about a patientexchange with each other. Communication takes place via the telematics infrastructure, a secure, encrypted data network. Here is a brief overview of how the exchange works:
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Your control over digital health data
You can individually determine the access rights to your electronic patient file. You can decide for yourself:
The risks of digital patient records
The ePA offers numerous benefits, but there are also potential onesRisks. PulmonologistClaus Vogelmeierwarns, for example, against deleting or hiding information too quickly. A well-maintained digital file can help doctors avoid unnecessary examinations and make the correct diagnosis more quickly. However, if important data is missing, this can happenincorrect treatmentslead. Therefore, you should think carefully about what information you want to store in your ePA and what information you might want to hide. If in doubt, speak to your doctor to make the best decisions for your health.
