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Physiotherapists

Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC) and SMC-B Practice Card for physiotherapists

The Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC) serves as a personal authentication card for physiotherapists, providing secure access to the telematics infrastructure (TI). The TI is a digital network connecting all stakeholders across the healthcare system. Practices access the TI using an SMC-B Practice Card. Connection to the TI will become mandatory for physiotherapy practices from 1 October 2027. However, practices can connect earlier at any time – and doing so is recommended.

Key facts at a glance

For physiotherapy practices, connection to the Telematics Infrastructure is legally mandatory from 1 October 2027. The introduction of the electronic therapy prescription will follow once the necessary legal and technical requirements have been implemented.

The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) refinances the connection of physiotherapy practices to the telematics infrastructure primarily through monthly allowances. This applies both to the costs of the technical equipment (card reader and connector) and to the ongoing costs for eHBA and SMC-B. The National Association of Staturory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) provides full details on eligibility and application procedures.

Benefits of the telematics infrastructure

Whether prescriptions, referrals or medical letters: digital processes make many tasks faster and more efficient. There is no longer any need for fax communication, and outstanding questions can be resolved quickly via the applications of the telematics infrastructure.

  • Reduced administrative workload means more time for patients
  • All relevant patient information is available and up-to-date at all times
  • Access to digital applications such as the electronic patient record (ePA), secure healthcare messaging (KIM) and future e-prescription services
  • High standards for data transmission and storage ensure secure data exchange
  • Legally binding digital signatures are possible

Learn more about the telematics infrastructure

TI applications available to physiotherapists

Electronic patient record (ePA)

The electronic patient record for all, or ePA, brings together all important health data such as medical reports, diagnoses, medication and clinical findings in one central location. Since 2025, it has been made available by health insurers as an app to all people with statutory health insurance who have not opted out. Access to the ePA requires an existing treatment relationship and no objection from the patient. Physiotherapists can upload their own documents to the ePA and access information such as clinical findings and medical reports.

Learn more about the ePA
ePrescription for medical aids and remedies (eVO)

The ePrescription for medical aids and remedies (eVO) is used to prescribe therapeutic remedies and medical aids, including physiotherapy treatments. The eVO is being introduced in stages. In future, its use will be mandatory for all therapeutic remedies, medical aids and dressings, as well as urine and blood test strips, medical devices, nutritionally complete enteral diets and sociotherapy.

Learn more about the eVO
Qualified electronic signature (QES)

The qualified electronic signature (QES) linked to the eHBA makes it possible to sign documents such as electronic prescriptions in a legally valid digital format. The QES offers the highest level of security and the strongest legal effect of any electronic signature and is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.

Find out more about the QES
KIM: Communication in Healthcare

KIM enables messages and documents to be exchanged by email within the healthcare system. Communication is encrypted via a virtual private network (VPN) within the secure environment of the telematics infrastructure. Only authenticated users can access KIM. Messages are sent in encrypted form and decrypted on receipt using the SMC-B and, in some cases, the eHPC. This makes it possible, for example, to send billing records quickly and securely in digital form.

Learn more about KIM
TIM: the TI Messenger

As a complement to communication via KIM, the TI Messenger (TIM) is being introduced for secure, mobile ad hoc communication. It enables instant messaging between practices and other healthcare providers via smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, while ensuring the same high security standards through end-to-end encryption.

Learn more about TIM
Electronic medication plan (eMP)

The electronic medication plan (eMP) provides a structured overview of the medicines a patient is currently taking. It also includes important additional information designed to help avoid issues such as adverse drug interactions.

Learn more about the eMP
Pictogram Person Circle

The card for individual professionals

eHPC (Electronic Health Professional Card) and ePC (Electronic Professional Card)

The Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC) allows regulated healthcare professionals to identify themselves securely within the telematics infrastructure. For authorised skilled professionals working in healthcare-related trades, the equivalent card is the Electronic Professional Card (ePC). Our step-by-step guide explains how to apply for an eHPC or ePC. 

 

Examples of how the eHPC can be used:

  • Write access to TI applications
  • Qualified electronic signatures (QES), for example for electronic prescriptions
  • Encrypted data exchange
  • Access to the electronic patient record
Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC)

With the Health Professional Card or the Professional Card, members of the following professions can identify themselves personally within the high-security TI: doctors, dentists, psychotherapists, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, paramedics, occupational therapists, podiatrists, speech and language therapists, dental technicians, orthopaedic shoemakers, orthopaedic technicians, hearing aid acousticians and opticians.

Pictogram ID card with tick

The card for practices and institutions

SMC-B: The Practice and Institution Card

With the SMC-B, participating practices and other institutions – such as clinics, rehabilitation and care provider organisations, pharmacies, as well as providers of medical aids – authenticate themselves within the telematics infrastructure.

 

Examples of how the SMC-B can be used: 

  • Secure access to the telematics infrastructure
  • Access to patient information within the TI
  • Encrypted healthcare communication via KIM within the TI
Pictogram health

Example: faster access to patient information with the eHPC and SMC-B

Using the personal Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC) together with the SMC-B Practice Card, physiotherapists can actively use the telematics infrastructure, authenticate themselves for TI applications, apply electronic signatures, and encrypt messages and documents.

Authenticate with the eHBA or SMC-B and

  1. Prepare for new patients: 
     
    • ePA: The electronic patient record provides insights into previous treatment
    • KIM: Missing clinical documents can be requested quickly and securely, and queries about an ePrescription for medical aids and remedies can be resolved promptly
    • eMP: The electronic medication plan contains key information on medicines currently being taken, as well as intolerances and allergies
  2. Improve treatment:
     
    • ePA: Therapy documents can be stored in the electronic patient record for access by other treating professionals
    • eVO: Services provided can be documented digitally, and ePrescriptions for medical aids and remedies can be processed without paper
    • KIM: Messages and documents relating to the course of treatment can be exchanged securely via KIM
    • TIM: Where speed is essential, secure communication is available via the ad hoc messenger
  3. Speed up billing
     
    • KIM: KIM (Communication in Healthcare) allows billing records to be transmitted quickly in digital form.
  4. Sign documents digitally (eHPC only):
     
    • The eHPC can be used to create qualified electronic signatures (QES)

Frequently asked questions about the Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC)

As digitalisation continues to transform healthcare, many processes are changing. Naturally, this raises questions. Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC) for physiotherapists.

To use the telematics infrastructure (TI), two cards are required, together with a card terminal and a connector. An Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC) is needed for an authorised representative, along with an SMC-B Practice and Institution Card (or, in future, its digital version, SM-B), in order to authenticate the practice within the telematics infrastructure. Both cards are read via a card terminal. Access to the Telematics Infrastructure is then provided via a connector. The Electronic Health Professions Register (eGBR) is responsible for issuing both cards. The eHBA and SMC-B are ordered from the trust service provider D-Trust.

Yes, physiotherapists can order their eHBA at D-Trust entirely online. Using the electronic application process, there is no need to print, sign and post the application – everything can be completed online. Identification can also be carried out online using the eID function of your identity card or passport. Alternatively, identification via the PostIdent procedure at a Post Office branch is also possible. The eHBA is ordered via the D-Trust eHealth Application Portal.

You can find step-by-step guidance on how to apply for an eHPC at Applying for an eHPC – step-by-step guide.

Only one SMC-B is required per practice location, regardless of how many stationary card terminals are in use. However, a separate SMC-B must be applied for for each mobile card reader.

The minimum hardware required for the telematics infrastructure (TI) is at least one card terminal and one connector for authentication within the VPN-secured TI network. Both must be tested and approved by gematik as the National Agency for Digital Medicine. In addition, there are acquisition costs for the Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC), the SMC-B Practice Card, and TI-compatible software. These costs are partially reimbursed by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband).

The Electronic Health Professional Card (eHBA), like the SMC-B Practice Card, is valid for a maximum of five years and cannot be renewed. Replacement cards must therefore be applied for in good time. Once expired, the card can no longer be used for any TI functions requiring an eHBA. Physiotherapists will receive an email from D-Trust in advance containing a link to order their replacement card. The application form is pre-filled on the basis of the information held for the current eHBA. D-Trust customers only need to check that their details are up to date, submit the application and complete identification. Generally, the new Electronic Health Professional Card is produced and dispatched within a maximum of two weeks of the application and identification being completed. The PIN/PUK usually follows a few days later by registered post.

D-Trust contacts customers several times before the card expires so that new cards can be applied for and ordered in good time. The same applies to the SMC-B Practice Card, which is also valid for a maximum of five years.

Key products

Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC)

With the Health Professional Card or the Professional Card, members of the following professions can identify themselves personally within the high-security TI: doctors, dentists, psychotherapists, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, paramedics, occupational therapists, podiatrists, speech and language therapists, dental technicians, orthopaedic shoemakers, orthopaedic technicians, hearing aid acousticians and opticians.

Price overview: eHBA and SMC-B

Product description
Price in EUR*

Electronic Health Professional Card (eHPC)

for nursing professionals, midwives, physiotherapists, paramedics, occupational therapists, podiatrists, logopedists, nutrition therapists, massage therapists, medical hydrotherapists, dieticians, and voice, speech, language and swallowing therapists
420,17 €
Order now
  • Enables nursing professionals, midwives, physiotherapists, paramedics, occupational therapists, podiatrists, logopedists, nutrition therapists, massage therapists, medical hydrotherapists, dieticians, and voice, speech, language and swallowing therapists to authenticate themselves within the telematics infrastructure used in healthcare. The costs of Health Professional Cards are partly covered by the operating cost allowance under the refinancing agreement. 
  • Valid for 5 years

* Price in euros (€), plus statutory VAT.

Product description
Price in EUR*

Electronic Institution Card (SMC-B)

for nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, podiatry and nutrition therapy institutions
390,76 €
Order now
  • The costs for the Institution Card are partly covered by the TI operating cost allowance under the relevant financing agreement.
  • Valid for 5 years

* Prices in euros (€), plus statutory VAT.

Do you have questions about our eHealth products? Please feel free to contact us:

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