With a new digitization law, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) under the leadership of Jens Spahn wants to further develop the telematics infrastructure (TI) in a number of important key points, so that the health care of patients is better equipped, even in the event of another pandemic. The cornerstones of his program also include cross-border care, for example with the Netherlands. Here are the following cornerstones in detail:
– The further development of the ePrescription has priority.
– The storage of data of patients of the ePrescription is planned in the electronic patient file (ePA), under the category „Prescription“.
– A „drug list“ (at the request of the patient) with drugs dispensed for the patient can also be stored. Doctor and pharmacist data can be updated, but not before 2022/2023, as the prerequisites have yet to be created.
– The digitalization of BtM prescriptions under amendment of the corresponding law with unknown deadlines is also planned in the new key points paper of the Federal Minister of Health.
– A so-called personalized retrieval of the ePrescription is also possible. Further details, however, have not yet been announced.
– Access rights to dispensing data (delivery data) in the ePrescription service will also be regulated.
– Furthermore, Spahn is planning interfaces with access to the information health portal.
– Foreign mail-order pharmacies will also be included in the use of the ePrescription, provided that the appropriate hardware is available.
– In this context, Spahn would also like to open the TI for border crossing, i.e. ePrescription and ePA will be included.
– In addition, a video consultation hours credit outside the opening hours of medical practices is planned.
– The Federal Joint Committee defines the criteria for the electronic certificate of incapacity to work (eAU), which is issued by the doctor following the video consultation.
– Other health care professions are also to be integrated into the TI, such as non-academic service providers, providers of medicines and medical supplies and midwives.
– In addition, SHI-insured persons will become part of the cornerstone program; details are unknown.
– Starting in 2023, an interdisciplinary immediate message dispatch planned according to certain security standards is planned, as well as video communication services.