What is the ePA?

The ePA consists of digital folders in which the personal health data of a person with statutory health insurance is stored centrally. This health data includes, for example, doctors' letters, test results, hospital discharge letters and medication lists. Since 2025, everyone with statutory health insurance receives an ePA unless they object to this with their statutory health insurer. Participation in the ePA is voluntary.

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How does the ePA work?

The ePA is based on the telematics infrastructure (TI), the digital network that connects the stakeholders in the German healthcare system. Insured persons can access the data in their ePA via their statutory health insurer's ePA app. Once insured persons have registered, the ePA can be filled with data. Doctors and other health professionals are legally obliged to do so. Patients can also store data in the ePA themselves. Insured persons then decide who may access which data in their ePA. 

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What are the benefits of the ePA?

The overarching aim of the ePA is to simplify and improve processes in healthcare. The ePA brings together, in digital form, health data that has so far been managed in a decentralised and in part paper-based way. This gives everyone involved in care a complete and up-to-date overview of their patients' previous and current treatments. This helps to avoid, for example, duplicate examinations or drug interactions. 

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Can DiGA data also be stored in the ePA?

Manufacturers of DiGA (digital health applications) must ensure that their products are interoperable. This means that all DiGA must allow data to be exported in an interoperable format so that this information can be transferred directly to the ePA.

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The Federal Ministry of Health provides up-to-date information on the status of the ePA roll-out.

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