Germany Proposes Allowing Company Doctors to Access Patient Records Without Explicit Consent
Published on 07/01/2026 at 19:26 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A draft law advancing through the German cabinet would let occupational physicians view employees’ electronic health records unless workers actively block them — reversing the current rule that requires a clear affirmative approval. The planned change, part of the broader Health Digital Act (GeDIG), has sparked debate over data privacy in the workplace.
The cabinet is expected to approve the bill in mid-July. Under the current system, a company doctor needs a patient’s explicit, informed consent before opening the electronic patient record (ePA). The new approach would switch to an opt-out model: access is permitted unless the individual specifically objects or hides certain documents. Critics argue that pressure from an employer could make a free refusal difficult, though professional medical societies stress that doctors remain bound by strict confidentiality rules.
Alongside the legislative push, several digital health platforms have recently gone live. The AOK health insurance fund launched “AOK atWork,” a portal aimed at companies participating in workplace health promotion (BGF). Employees receive articles, fitness videos, audio content, and digital courses. A gamification mechanic rewards users with virtual hearts when they meet personal health goals; hearts can then be converted into real tree donations. Live presentations and challenges are designed to boost health literacy across the workforce.
Separately, a web portal called “Prävention direkt finden” has been activated. Aimed at physicians and psychotherapists, it lists roughly 120,000 certified preventive courses — covering exercise, nutrition, and addiction prevention — that are subsidized by statutory health insurance. Doctors can now refer patients directly to quality-checked programs, saving time and making prevention more efficient.
Telemedicine in occupational health is permitted but remains tightly bounded, according to a recent synopsis of digital technologies. In-person visits are still the gold standard, while remote tools are allowed only under strict data-protection rules. Experts draw a clear line between BGF apps — which promote general well-being — and digital health applications (DiGA), which are certified medical devices that can be prescribed for treating illnesses.
The expansion of digital services also has technical implications. Many ePA apps from major insurers now require at least Android 14 or iOS 18, due to updated encryption standards. Patients without a compatible smartphone can instead use assisted telemedicine at pharmacies, accessed via the electronic health card.
Private insurers are following the trend. A new tariff line for civil servants and trainees offers high reimbursement rates for vision aids or laser eye surgery, plus a digital customer portal. Industry observers note that company health insurance (bKV) is gaining momentum overall, with employers increasingly using flexible budget plans and video consultations to retain staff and supplement statutory coverage.
Meanwhile, the company health insurance funds (BKK) have expanded their child health program. As of July 1, a screening for peripartal depression is included during the U3 and U4 pediatric checkups, run digitally through a practice app. Research indicates a significant share of parents suffer from the condition, yet it is rarely caught early. The pilot, funded by the Innovationsfonds, runs until December 2026; those with a positive result will be quickly directed to counseling services.
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