In order to bring digital health applications into the statutory health system, a “Fast Track” process has been created to make sure that all of the 73 million Germans with public health insurance (90%) have access to these applications.
Fast Track into the DIGA Directory
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© Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM); hih - health innovation hub 2020
The developer submits an application to the BfArM - the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices – which also advises the developer. If the application fulfils the general requirements (safety, quality, functionality, privacy, and data security) and positive care effects (medical benefits, structural & procedural improvements), it can be listed in the DIGA directory. Structural and procedural improvements include: access to care, adherence, health literacy or overcoming gaps in transition from one type of care to another.
This means that the developer can already provide evidence which shows the positive care effects. This process takes up to three months. The developer then negotiates a price with the umbrella organization of statutory health organizations.
If the developer cannot yet provide evidence for the positive care effects a 12 month trial period is conducted, which can be used to provide a hypothesis and an evaluation concepts for the expected positive care effects (producer bears cost).
The DIGA can then be listed in the directory for 12 months. During this time, the producer can collect data and show the positive care effects its DIGA has. BfArM decides on the final listing and the producer negotiates a price with the umbrella organization of statutory health organizations.
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