Healthcare expenditure in Germany totalled €387 billion in 2018 – a 3% increase on the previous year and the equivalent of 11.4% of GDP. Healthcare is one of the most important economic sectors in Germany, Europe’s largest market.

A growing demand for medical care in the country – combined with ever-increasing digitalisation and public awareness of health and fitness – is bolstering demand for digital health solutions.

Opportunities for all stakeholders

Germany recently passed the Digital Care Act, which supports and further accelerates the digitalisation of the country’s healthcare system. The legislation creates numerous opportunities for health tech companies looking to enter the German market. For example, under the new laws, doctors are not only allowed to prescribe accredited digital health apps; their costs are covered by the statutory health insurance system.

“Digital health solutions are increasingly finding their way into primary care and various consumer healthcare segments,” says digital healthcare expert Julia Pietsch from Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). “The German digital health market offers numerous ways for researchers and businesses alike to enter emerging fields and establish new business models. Our organisation supports international companies that want to capitalise on this potential.”

A helping hand

GTAI is hosting a seminar on Germany’s digital healthcare market, including the latest regulatory changes and the novel Fast Track Program for medical apps, at HIMSS20 in Orlando. As the economic development agency of Germany, GTAI supports companies looking to expand their global footprint in setting up shop in the country.

The seminar takes place on Wednesday, 11 March, 2020 from 10-11.45 AM in Salon 11 of the Rosen Centre at the Orange County Convention Center. The event is a chance to meet with the German HIMSS Delegation and network with the speakers, including Sebastian Zilch, CEO of the German Association of Health IT Vendors, and Julia Hagen, director of regulation and politics at the health innovation hub of the German Ministry of Health.

For more information and to pre-arrange meetings, visit the German Pavilion @ Booth #347 or www.gtai.com/himss.