G&D gets gematik stamp of approval

 

Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) has received approval from gematik to issue an eHealth card incorporating qualified electronic signature functions (QES).

According to G&D, it meets all the requirements for functionality and security laid down by gematik and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). The optional QES feature means that insured parties will be able to sign applications electronically in future. G&D says it anticipates that the first health insurance companies will request large quantities of the card before the end of the year.

Hans-Wolfgang Kunz, group executive of G&D’s Government Solutions business unit, says: “This concludes the development work. We’re ready. The electronic healthcare card meets the highest security requirements and can now be introduced. We expect health insurance companies to order large quantities from us before the end of the year so they can issue their clients with the new card type.”

G&D says it produces around a quarter of all smart cards for the electronic healthcare sector in Germany. The company’s customers include DAK, KKH and other statutory health insurance companies. In addition to the new smart card, the Munich-based technology group is also to supply a high-performance background system that will in future control all the functions in the life cycle of around 70% of health insurance cards in Germany.