Medical cost pressures on insurers is another healthcare issue, especially as it relates to the rehabilitation sector. That’s one of the reasons why innovative startups are increasingly getting their chance to offer solutions. One of them is Mecuris GmbH, which manufactures custom and specially fitted 3D-printed prosthetics and orthotics. "Everyone is different and unique and should not be fitted with off-the-rack devices. This ensures that the 20 to 40 percent of wearers who don’t fit into the 'small', 'medium' or 'large' category (Editor’s Note: this refers to standard models supplied by German insurance providers) will also obtain optimal care services," said Manuel Opitz, CEO of Mecuris, at REHACARE in September of last year.
Digital tools or technical innovations won’t replace experts in their respective fields of expertise. This is something almost all experts or startup CEOs can agree on. Opitz also says, "I don’t think 3D printing will become the only way to create prosthetic or orthopedic devices." Instead, there will be "new tools and ways to offer more personalized and tailored care for each patient." David Ram, CEO of Tyromotion agrees with Opitz. In an interview with REHACARE.com, he explained that "progressive rehabilitation is not just based on state-of-the-art therapy equipment, it also requires 'human-machine interaction': the experience and expert knowledge of therapists supports robot and sensor-assisted therapy devices."
Regardless of what digitization may ultimately look like, the fact of the matter is that it offers many great ways to cut costs and save money. According to a McKinsey study in collaboration with the German Managed Care Association (Bundesverband Managed Care e.V., BMC), Germany could save up to 34 billion euros annually thanks to digitization measures. This is equivalent to nearly 12 percent of the actual total projected annual healthcare costs and expenditures.
On the one hand, this sum is the result of efficiency improvements and a decrease in unnecessary tests and treatments. An improved data flow thus eliminates the need for unnecessary duplicate exams and improves the quality of follow-up treatments. Mobile health apps and diagnostic tools for patients would simultaneously help reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and lower healthcare costs thanks to improved therapeutic outcomes and successes.
For now, we still have a long way to go before full implementation of the eHealth Act has been completed. Meanwhile, digitization continues its advance. If Germany wants to keep up with this trend, it must pick up the pace. That being said, patients and patient data sovereignty concerns must not fall by the wayside in this setting. Admittedly, you have to walk a fine line, but other countries have already shown the way. Now Germany has the chance to learn from them and follow their example.