Doctor communication: TI messenger TIM launches for public health insured users
From today, people with statutory health insurance should be able to test the TI messenger TIM, at least if they have an app for the electronic patient record
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The TI-Messenger (TIM) will be available to all people with statutory health insurance from Tuesday. This is a messenger based on the Matrix protocol that connects doctors, medical professionals, health insurance companies, and now also insured individuals. Health insurance companies such as Techniker and AOK want to make TIM accessible in the respective app for the electronic patient record (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA). At Barmer, for example, the new function can be found in the eCare app under "Chats with practices", as the insurance company explained when asked by heise online.
TIM could then be used, for example, to make appointments, clarify queries, or transmit important information in compliance with data protection regulations. Service providers will also be able to decide for themselves who can contact them via the TI Messenger. The exchange of end-to-end encrypted medical documents such as discharge letters or X-ray images via TIM is also being considered. Further functions are planned for TIM in the future, such as video telephony and group calls. It remains to be seen how extensive the range of functions will actually be at launch.
Not yet available across the board
Not all policyholders will probably be able to chat with their doctor via TIM, as BKK Linde, for example, points out to its policyholders. In addition to the ePA app, it is also a prerequisite that the doctor's practice has the necessary technical equipment – such as the ePA module – and actively participates in TIM.
The introduction of the TI Messenger (TIM) has been postponed several times; the launch for insured people was originally planned for January 2025. Compared to fax, telephone or email, communication with TIM is faster, more structured and more secure. TIM supplements the existing KIM communication, but does not replace it.
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Test TIM
TIM is already being actively used in practices and clinics, especially in the model regions. The first TI messenger received approval for TIM at the beginning of April 2024, followed by others and TIM was tested in the model regions. The launch of TIM for doctors was also actually planned for 2023. According to Markus Habetha, project manager in the Hamburg model region, the pilot phase showed that TIM offers particular advantages for daily coordination between GPs, nursing staff, pharmacies and specialists.
(mack)
