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The Electronic health record (German: Elektronische Patientenakte or ePA [1] ) was launched on 1 January 2021, for comprehensive digital connectivity within the German healthcare system for patients, between patient and service providers, and between service providers for both hospital settings and primary care. [2] The intent was to provide provide health care data in a digital form so that it was accessible nationwide for both patients that are statutorily insured as well as practitioners of those patients, [2] with the patient controlling who can access their data. [3] As of January 15, 2025, all people with statutory health insurance in Germany are automatically assigned an ePA unless they opt out. [4] The trial period was undertaken for practitioners in three model regions (Franconia, Hamburg, and parts of North Rhine-Westphali). [5] Data of the ePA will be made accessible for defined research purposes if insured persons do not explicitly object to them. [1] According to instructions from the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) to Gematik from mid-April, as of October 1, 2025, it will be mandatory for office-based physicians and hospital doctors in Germany to upload medical health data into existing electronic patient records (ePAs).
