Germany to end ePA and TSVG reimbursements by year-end

The Expanded Assessment Committee has decided that reimbursements for filling electronic patient records (ePA) and certain appointment mediation surcharges will only be available until the end of the year. This decision follows the GKV Contribution Rate Stabilization Act, which mandates the abolition of various services and requires adjustments to the EBM (Uniform Value Scale).

While the GKV Association had requested that payments for ePA data entry cease as early as October 1, the committee ruled that doctors and psychotherapists can continue to bill for these services, including initial data entry and updates, until December 31. The corresponding fee positions will be removed effective January 1.

The decision also impacts surcharges introduced by the Appointment Service and Care Act (TSVG). Surcharges for specialist appointments mediated through appointment service centers, as well as certain surcharges for general practitioners, pediatricians, and short-term psychotherapy, will also expire at the end of the year.