eHealth: Grundlagen der Digitalen Gesundheitswirtschaft und Leitmarktperspektiven

The expansion of the digital health economy represents a strategic challenge for both the wider economy and society of the Federal Republic of Germany. In this context, economic policy actors need to set adequate framework conditions, such that competition in the health system, i.e. the interaction of statutory and private health insurance providers, will lead to optimal innovation dynamics and efficiency gains. Statutory and private health insurance funds each follow their own strategies. Amongst other strategies, private insurance providers make use of the possibility that firms are also involved in the area of occupational health management. There are, however, considerable obstacles to a digital modernization of the health sector, while Germany was also relatively late in introducing a digital health card. Among the significant benefits, for patients, insurers and care providers, are innovations in the area of digital check-ups and preventative care, telemedicine, digitalized after-care and an optimization of billing processes. Germany - in an EU context - ranks mid-table with regard to eHealth applications in the hospital industry, however, on the basis of a good positioning in terms of ICT and the large domestic market, Germany has the potential to become both a leading actor and a leading market in the medium term. From an economic perspective, eHealth progress can help to curb the rise of insurance contributions - digital advances have cost dampening effects, patient benefits and positive effects in the competitive process. Non-uniform health economy standards in EU countries largely prevent national software solutions and other eHealth concepts from easily being scaled-up, i.e. exported. Here, action by the EU is clearly required; including in the promotion and support of cooperation projects.