Electronic doctor’s notes are coming: Telekom launches its Communication in Medicine (KIM) service in February. KIM connects all participants in the telematic infrastructure. Doctors and dentists use it to send and receive messages. Therapists and pharmacists also use KIM. It replaces printed or handwritten doctor’s letters. Printing and signing are unnecessary, likewise stamps and snail mail.
The offer includes the KIM application. The KIM client module is included, as are a range of services. Among the services is a KIM mailbox for emails, electronic doctor’s letters, and e-certificates, such as sick notes. Customers can make unlimited use of the mailbox to send and receive messages. Users are free to choose any KIM address they want. Telekom charges a one-time fee of €59.00 (net) for the service. Each KIM mailbox costs €6.99 (net) per month.
In launching KIM, Telekom reinforces its position as a central partner in healthcare networking and digitalization in Germany. The whole healthcare industry will benefit from this secure email system and Telekom’s decades of expertise.
Telekom also offers the service for hospitals and statutory health insurers, with contractual conditions individually tailored to the unique needs of the customer. Telekom’s proprietary hospital information system iMedOne® is already configured for the KIM service. Each day, clinics produce thousands of doctor’s letters. Sending them electronically directly from KIS lowers costs.
KIM protects patient data. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) helped develop this service. The application has been approved by the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information. Users sign KIM messages electronically. This uniquely identifies the sender and recipient. KIM encrypts and protects information when it is sent.
Gematik has approved Telekom’s KIM service. Back in 2020, the company passed a field test involving one hospital, 50 doctor’s offices and 16 dentist’s offices. The national associations of statutory health insurance for Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, and North Rhine-Westphalia also participated, as did the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists.
