Digital health solutions are on the rise

So far, doctors can prescribe six apps. For example, they are supposed to combat sleep problems or anxiety disorders, help against chronic tinnitus and support weight loss. Private health insurers see this as the future of their industry.

An app on prescription: after the law on this already came into force in 2019, six apps are now approved on the market. They all had to go through a three-month inspection by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices and receive certification.

The Invirto app is the most recent approval, dated Dec. 3. It assists people who have anxiety disorders with virtual reality goggles. It allows doctors and psychotherapists to experience situations that cause anxiety with their patients. Kalmeda provides support for chronic tinnitus, Vivira treats back, knee and hip pain with exercise instructions. Weight loss for medical reasons is accompanied by Zanadio through obesity therapy that includes diet, exercise and behavior. These four apps are tentatively included in the registry so far. The apps must prove in twelve months of use that their positive effects will last, or they will be removed from approval again.

Two apps have already passed this test as well: Somnio helps with problems falling asleep and staying asleep, while Velibra is used to combat anxiety and panic disorders.

The numerous providers come apparently exactly at the right time. That's because private health insurers now see the greatest potential for their industry in health apps, according to 94 percent of the 16 executives of private health insurance companies surveyed for a Deloitte study. This includes not only medical apps such as Somnio or Velibra, but also fitness apps, for example. What's more, with 100 percent approval, private health insurers see digitalization as the most relevant change driver in the industry.

According to market research institute EPatient Analytics, 20 million Germans use health apps, around 10 million diagnostic apps. An increase is just in the Corona pandemic, since the spring, the use of apps for diagnosis alone increased by three percent.