Digital Health Applications: DiGAs—Pathway to Reimbursement

Abstract

Although there are innovative ideas in the field of digitization, Germany ranks next to last in an international comparison of 17 countries. The Federal Ministry has contributed to optimizing the situation under the Digital Healthcare Act with regard to reimbursement for health apps, the promotion of telemedicine services and the expansion of the telematics infrastructure. As part of a “fast-track process” lasting a maximum of 3 months, manufacturers can apply for innovative products that have a positive impact on health to be included in the DIGA register and for innovations—based on scientific studies—to be qualified for reimbursement by the health insurance company. The evaluation with regard to the necessity and a patient-relevant, procedural and structural improvement of the innovation is carried out by the BfArM. If the requirements are met, the health insurance companies are obliged to reimburse the price set by the manufacturer for an approved DIGA for the first year. The number of prescribable digital health applications is increasing steadily and already includes a large number of clinical pictures.