Hospital.Help

Schwerin – In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the introduction of an electronic health card for asylum seekers is progressing further. Interior Minister Christian Pegel (SPD) signed a framework agreement on the introduction together with the health insurance companies based in the state.

“Our common goal is to simplify the processes for everyone, to sustainably relieve the districts and independent cities of administrative burdens and to simplify access to the health system through the use of such an electronic health card,” said Pegel.

Five of the eight districts and independent cities are participating in the agreement. According to information from the Ministry of the Interior, the districts of Vorpommern-Rügen, Vorpommern-Greifswald and Nordwestmecklenburg are not yet involved.

According to information from the ndr The reasons for non-participation include the fact that the costs resulting from additional administrative work are a burden on the budget. There are also fears that the number of medical treatments required by asylum seekers will increase as a result of the health card.

First cards are expected to be issued in mid to late September

Each of the administrative units involved will be assigned a health insurance company, which will coordinate the details of implementation bilaterally. After data has been transferred to the health insurance companies, the first cards can be issued to the refugees as early as mid to late September.

“The digitization of doctor’s visits and especially of billing reduces the effort, especially for the municipalities,” said Pegel, adding: “All districts and independent cities will benefit from this: In addition to reducing bureaucracy, they can rely on the experience and structures of the statutory health insurance.”

Until now, refugees have had to obtain a so-called treatment certificate from a government agency, such as the social welfare office, before they can seek medical advice or arrange treatment. The electronic health card enables them to visit a doctor directly.

The introduction of the card is based on a state parliament resolution from March 2023. “We are thus implementing our commitment from the joint refugee summit of the state and municipalities,” said Pegel. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a total of 2,664 first-time asylum applications were counted between January and June 2024. © dpa/aerzteblatt.de