Assisted telemedicine in the pharmacy
Since 1 July 2026, people with statutory health insurance in Germany have a legal entitlement to a medical initial assessment and an assisted video consultation in the pharmacy (Section 129(5h) SGB V). MEDITyme provides the technology for it — on the same certified platform as any other video consultation.
What the entitlement covers
- A structured medical initial assessment — via a digital questionnaire, the same kind used by the German medical on-call service 116 117. It assesses how urgent the symptoms are and what care makes sense next.
- An assisted video consultation — in the pharmacy’s consultation room, with a doctor. The trained pharmacy team sets up the technology and helps if anything goes wrong.
- Both combined — first the assessment, then, if needed, the appropriate video consultation straight afterwards.
The service is reimbursed by the statutory health insurers.
Who it is for
- People without a smartphone, a computer or a stable internet connection.
- Anyone who would like support with the technology.
- Patients who need a first medical assessment quickly — without a waiting room and without travelling far.
What pharmacies need for it
A consultation room, a device with camera, microphone and speakers, and a decent internet connection. There is nothing to install — the video consultation runs in the browser. The detailed requirements, and what your IT team may need to open up on the firewall, are described under Technology and troubleshooting.
In the consultation room it works as it does everywhere else: your team opens the link, allows camera and microphone, and stays for as long as it is needed. On the medical side it is a regular MEDITyme consultation.
Data protection in the consultation room
The same rules apply as for any video consultation: processing exclusively in data centres in Germany, no transfer to third countries, encryption in transit, anonymisation after three months. The details are under Security and data protection.
One point is added in the pharmacy: the consultation room must be located and used so that nobody can overhear. Patients decide which members of the pharmacy team are present during the call.
An entitlement is not an emergency route
With warning signs such as chest pain, breathlessness, sudden paralysis or heavy bleeding, every minute counts. Then it is the emergency number 112 — not a video consultation.
Do you run a pharmacy?
We set up your access and connect the doctors you work with. Write to info@medityme.com. The most common questions about electronic private prescriptions are answered on the page Redeeming an e-prescription at the pharmacy.
Looking for a pharmacy that offers this?
Just ask at your pharmacy whether they offer assisted telemedicine. How a video consultation works is described on the Video consultations for patients page.