Germany's Private Health Insurance Opts Out of E-Health Card Over Data Privacy Concerns (heise.de)

• PKV deliberately avoids eGK due to data security issues
• Lack of standardized digital infrastructure cited as barrier
• Hälker doubts success of voluntary digitalization without compulsory rules

"In an interview, Christian Hälker, CEO of the Association of Private Health Insurance (PKV), explains the sector's conscious decision to opt out of the electronic health card (eGK) due to data security concerns and a lack of uniform digital infrastructure. Hälker questions the effectiveness of voluntary digitalization initiatives without binding regulations and discusses challenges in implementing a unified health insurance number. The interview highlights the tension between efficiency and data protection in German healthcare digitalization."