Germany’s Gematik plans to extend the security certificates of newer healthcare connectors through a software update, but it lacks the required infrastructure to transfer the update via the telematics infrastructure operated by Gematik. The update to extend validity is set to be available in the third quarter following completion of the corresponding firmware updates. Until then, doctors and service providers have only two options: connector exchange and “TI as a Service” – a connector operated by the service provider in the data center.
The manufacturers of the connectors, Rise and Secunet, had prepared the necessary updates in August 2022, but withdrew them after the decision to replace the connector was made. Third manufacturer CompuGroup Medical (CGM) had not provided an update at the time, but the company did not rule out the possibility of “certificate extension for the future.”
Gematik and its shareholders deemed that the exchange of connectors was the “safest and most economically sensible solution,” despite earlier approval from the Federal Office for Information Security to continue using the connectors. Connector manufacturer CGM did not comply with Gematik’s specifications.
From July 1, the financing for the telematics infrastructure for medical practices and pharmacies in Germany will run through a monthly TI flat rate from the health insurance companies, although the amount of the flat rate remains to be agreed upon. The Federal Ministry of Health will regulate the financing Of the TI components and the equipment they require by June 30, 2023, at the latest. Meanwhile, the current flat rates are too tight for medical practices to cope alone.
Difficulties in terms of financing the TI components have caused considerable frustration for medical practitioners, especially given the current under-funding of existing TI applications. Concerns have been raised that the lead time for practices to effectively implement the new changes is too short. On top of this, there are fears that the government’s involvement in determining financial regulation infringes on the right to self-government.
