Digital health change: Elga starts - which brings in 2025!

Digital health change: Elga starts - which brings in 2025!

From July 2025, a comprehensive expansion of the electronic health file ELGA in Austria begins. The new provisions stipulate that resident laboratories and radiolog: inside this date are obliged to feed findings and image data into the system. This measure is part of the vision of significantly improving access to medical information for patients. The central X-ray images and mrts will also be accessible to the patient from autumn 2025: including download options, such as Vol.at reported.

In addition, with the introduction of the digital medication plan "Digimed", another important element is integrated into the ELGA. This plan is intended to document the doses, intake times and the actual use of medication. The personal short act, known as the "patient Summary", is also in preparation to provide the patient an overview of their most important health data. From 2026 by all resident, the electronic documentation of diagnoses is duty, which represents a prerequisite for the complete creation of the "Patient Summary", emphasizes [Kurier.at] (https://kurier.at/politik/inland/gesundheitte-elga--fundes-gesundat-daufs- app/403043579).

integrated supply and digital applications

Another focus is on the "integrated supply", which will initially focus on chronically ill, starting with diabetes and heart failure. The aim is to ensure continuous care for the patient. The planned mobile care services are integrated into the ELGA system, which enables a seamless connection to specific care apps. An app for the electronic vaccination passport is currently being developed to facilitate access to vaccination status information.

The relaunch of the ELGA portal is planned for 2026, while Elga GmbH is already working on the implementation of the app. These digital innovations are supported by the new ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS-federal government, which also strives for a new codification of the health telematics law. This is to create the legal foundations for the expansion of the digital health file, according to https://www.vol.at/elga-ausbau-startet-im-juli-das-werd-alles-neu-in-i-lektronische-gesundheitakte/9420530).

An important aspect of expansion is the connection of ELGA to the European Health Data Room (EHDS), which is part of the European health union. The goal of the EHDS is to create a framework for the exchange of electronic health data within the EU. The Ordinance will come into force on March 26, 2025 and should enable patients better access and control over their health data. Data can also be used for public interests and scientific research, such as [health.ec.europa.eu

The implementation of these regulative measures will be gradually carried out. The essential milestones include the entry into force of the regulation in March 2025 and the deadline for the exchange of first health data for primary use, which is determined by March 2029. In this way, digital change in healthcare is to be promoted and access to electronic patient files is facilitated. At a time when efficiency increases in the healthcare system are urgently needed, these changes could result in savings of 11 billion euros in the next ten years.