Overview

• The electronic patient record (ePA) will begin its voluntary nationwide phase on April 29, 2025, with mandatory provider use starting October 1.
• Approximately five percent of statutory insured Germans, or several million people, have opted out, a figure much lower than the government’s initial 20 percent projection.
• The ePA aims to centralize health data such as diagnoses, immunizations, and X-rays to improve care coordination and reduce redundant testing.
• Critics warn of potential data misuse by tech and pharmaceutical companies, as well as risks of hacking or unintended disclosures of sensitive information.
• A security flaw identified in December 2024 was resolved, with assurances from the Federal Office for Information Security, though concerns about system vulnerabilities persist.