On the 7th of November the German Digital Healthcare Act (Digitale-Versorgung-Gesetz - DVG), was passed by the Parliament, creating a favorable policy, funding environment for digital health solutions.
Key highlights from the access perspective:
Doctors will be able to prescribe digital health apps to patients
Solutions are to be reimbursed by the statutory health insurance
Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices ( BfArM) will test digital solutions for safety, functionality, quality, data security, and data protection and provides provisional reimbursement for one year
In the first-year manufacturer needs to prove improved patient care, the manufacturer than can negotiate with the GKV-Spitzenverband.
Health insurance companies could foster the development of digital innovations e.g. by participating in venture capital funds
Easier use of anonymized health insurance claims data for research purposes