Bitmarck, the IT service provider for most of the statutory health insurance companies in Germany, is gradually bringing their systems back online after a recent cyber attack. As a precaution, the affected systems were taken offline, but the IT service provider assures customers that no data was lost. IT forensic scientists and the State Criminal Police Office are investigating the incident and Bitmarck is in close contact with customers, associations, and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Windows systems were specifically targeted in the cyber attack, severely restricting the exchange of data and limiting the accessibility, advice, and service provided to insured individuals. The electronic patient file and the electronic certificate of incapacity for work were also affected. Medical practices were unable to send data to health insurance companies for the certificate of incapacity for work.
Since Thursday morning, data exchange procedures for health insurance companies have been made available again, including for the electronic certificate of incapacity for work and the eAU. The ePA’s accessibility should be restored soon.
Bitmarck was previously hit by a cyber incident earlier this year that resulted in data from over 300,000 insured individuals being compromised.
Despite the disruptions caused by the cyber attack, Bitmarck is committed to analyzing the incident and restoring full functionality to their systems while keeping restrictions for customers as minimal as possible.
