Insurance companies connected to telematics data networks
Expansion of Private Health Insurers' Connection to Germany's Telematics Infrastructure (TI) Enhances Digital Health Services
A joint project led by Austrian IT company Research Industrial Systems Engineering (Rise) has successfully connected 11 private health insurance companies (PKVs) to Germany's Telematics Infrastructure (TI), marking a significant step for digital health interoperability in the country [1]. This expansion will enable smoother and more secure exchange of health data among service providers, insurers, and patients.
Improved Data Interoperability and Access
Connecting private insurers to the TI will facilitate easier, standardized, and secure exchange of electronic health records (EHRs) among care providers and insurers, enhancing continuity and coordination of care across sectors [2]. This is especially critical in mobile and cross-sectoral care settings where fragmented data and unclear access rights currently hinder care quality.
Enhanced Communication Capabilities
Through tools like the TI Messenger (TIM), health insurers can increasingly interact with insured persons digitally. Although currently primarily used by doctors and other providers, integration with private insurers will allow policyholders to contact insurers securely and efficiently within the TI environment in the near future [3].
Foundation for Personalized Insurance Products
While not detailed specifically for health insurance in the German TI context, parallels from the insurance telematics market show that telematics integration enables insurers to leverage data (including behavioral and health data) with AI for personalized premium offers and risk assessment [5]. This could potentially be relevant to private health insurers as TI use matures.
The Technical Implementation
The project was implemented within eight months and includes the provision of a central TI app as a connecting interface between policyholder end devices and the TI. The app integrates the authenticator module of the sectoral identity provider (IDP), allowing policyholders to authenticate uniquely for the health ID [4].
Future Developments
Future developments could involve further rollout and integration of TI functions, addressing regulatory, technical, and usability challenges identified in digital health data exchange, and leveraging AI and advanced telematics to offer tailored insurance products based on detailed individual health data [2][3][5].
The focus is now on introducing the electronic health record (ePA), which allows data protection-compliant, centrally managed, and encrypted storage of medical information. The successful implementation of this project serves as a model for future innovation projects with PHIs.
With the TI now supporting access for eleven private health insurers (PHIs), the expansion significantly increases access for the private sector in the healthcare system. This move towards digitalization is expected to bring numerous benefits in care quality, operational efficiency, and potential insurance product innovation.
[1] Rise [2] German Federal Ministry of Health [3] Gematik [4] TI-Ausweis [5] Insurance Telematics
Secure Communication Across SectorsBy integrating private health insurers into the TI, the potential for secure communication between various sectors, including science, finance, and technology, is greatly enhanced, offering new opportunities for collaborative research, data-driven financial services, and advanced health-and-wellness solutions.
Personalized Health Insurance ServicesThe expansion of private health insurers' connection to the TI could lead to the development of personalized insurance products based on detailed individual health data, enabled by AI and advanced telematics. Such innovation is expected to revolutionize the health-and-wellness industry, transforming the way insurance services are delivered and perceived.
