New digital applications in the field of medicine come onto the market almost every year. Both patients and clinicians benefit from these innovative opportunities to improve patient care. At the same time, questions about data security are increasingly coming into focus. The challenge is to ensure that only authorized persons have access to sensitive patient data. The legislator provides a clear answer to this question: by using the electronic medical profession card!
What is the eHBA?
The electronic health professional card — EhBA for short — identifies you as a health professional. The card can be applied for by these professional groups:
- doctors: general practitioners, medical specialists and other healthcare professionals.
- dentists: People working in dentistry.
- Pharmacist: pharmacy professionals.
- Nursing staff: nurses, carers and other care professionals.
- therapists: physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other therapists.
The eHBA is in the format of a credit card and, when personalized with a photo, serves as an ID. In addition, thanks to an integrated microprocess chip, on which your personal data is stored, it also functions as a means of identity verification in the digital space. For example, you can use the eHBA to sign electronically in accordance with the law.
Important: The EhBA is personal and not transferable.
What are the benefits of eHBA?
Having an electronic health professional card comes with a variety of benefits for you. For example, only owners of the eHBA can use certain digital medical applications and thus also offer them to their patients. Digital offerings are extremely popular with patients! According to a study, around two thirds of respondents want electronic health records use. If you enable use, this is a major competitive advantage (for your practice). But that's not your only benefit — these are your direct benefits:
- Secure data encryption
- Using digital applications
- Digital signature function
You can use these digital applications with eHBA
Today, many applications already require unique authentication using eHBA. These include:
- Electronic health records (ePA)
- Electronic prescription (eRecipe)
- Electronic doctor's letter (eArztBrief)
- Emergency data management (NFDM)
- Electronic medication plan (eMP)
- Electronic certificate of incapacity for work (eAU)
- Healthcare Communications (KIM)
- Digital laboratory referrals (Form 10)
- Teleradiological consultations
However, as a result of the ongoing digitalization of the healthcare system, it can be assumed that further applications will be added in the future. Investing in an eHBA is therefore worthwhile. But what costs are associated with the ID?
What are the costs of the eHBA?
The costs for electronic health care cards vary depending on the professional group and provider, but are around 84 euros net annually. With a period of validity of five years, you must therefore Expect a net sum of around 420 euros.
Which providers are there?
There are currently four approved providers of the EhBA:
Applying for eHBA: Here's how it works in six steps
At first glance, applying for an EhBA often seems more complicated than it is. The process essentially comprises six consecutive steps:
- On the website of the provider of your choice, fill out the application, upload your photo and print out the documents together with the identification form (usually POSTIDENT).
- You can be officially identified at the identification authority (for example at a post office during the PostIdent process) by presenting the signed application, the identification form and a valid identity document. Alternatively, a video identification process is also sometimes offered.
- The identification form is completed at the identification body and forwarded to the provider of the EhBA.
- You send your application documents to the provider of the EhBA.
- After your board has confirmed to the provider that you belong to the specified professional group, the provider will issue your ID card, which will be sent to you by post.
- The eHBA is activated using a PIN, which will also be sent to you by post.
Once your ID has been activated, you can use it to its full extent. In doing so, you are making an important contribution to the digitization of the healthcare system. But you can do even more to digitize your practice. With Nelly, for example.
Get even more digital with Nelly
Special tools such as Nelly also enable your patients to manage documents digitally. It's very easy:
- Your patients scan a QR code with their own smartphone.
- All relevant data can easily be digitally entered into the electronic mask.
- your patients Sign with one click and transfer all documents to your practice system.
Now you too can create a digital workflow in your practice. We advise you non-binding and free to your individual case!
The personal names used in this article always refer equally to all persons. Dual naming and alternate names are omitted in order to improve readability.
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