KBV boss: Launch of the electronic patient file could be delayed again

The launch of the electronic patient file (ePA) could be delayed again, believes Andreas Gassen, head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung, KBV). In an interview, he has now said that he does not consider the launch planned for April to be realistic.

The ePA was originally supposed to be introduced nationwide in mid-February, then the beginning of April was mentioned. "However, I do not expect the ePA to be ready for use nationwide in April," Gassen told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland newspapers. In the test regions, half of the practices that wanted to take part still do not have the necessary software. "The manufacturers don't seem to be able to do this completely," Gassen suspects. In addition, all the security gaps discovered by the Chaos Computer Club would, of course, have to be closed. The Federal Data Protection Commissioner would then also have to confirm this. "There cannot and must not be a mandatory introduction before then," he emphasized.

Pilot phase further delayed

Doctors had already called for more time for functional and load tests of the ePA at the end of February. Although an electronic patient file has now been created for all those with statutory health insurance, provided they have not objected, there is still no guarantee that the ePA will work in doctors' everyday work. A pilot phase was due to start on January 15, but delays have meant that it has not yet started properly. The associations of statutory health insurance physicians in Bavaria, Hamburg, North Rhine and Westphalia-Lippe are therefore calling on the Federal Ministry of Health to extend the timetable for the rollout of the ePA.

At the end of December, revelations by the Chaos Computer Club caused a stir. Experts were able to gain access to the "ePA for all" without difficulty. This was possible due to flaws in the specifications, among other things. They were able to create access tokens for the files of any insured person – without inserting the electronic health card. All those with health insurance who do not expressly object receive an ePA. Even though there has been a growing number of objections to the EPC, the majority of insured persons now have one.

(nen)