What will change in 2023...: ... in terms of nutrition and health?

The year 2022 was turbulent, but at least lockdowns and strict corona measures are now a thing of the past.

What will change in 2023...: ... in terms of nutrition and health?

The year 2022 was turbulent, but at least lockdowns and strict corona measures are now a thing of the past. How the situation will develop in 2023 remains uncertain. On the other hand, the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center knows what is definitely changing in the area of ​​health and nutrition.

Married couples can decide for each other on health issues

Advantage for married couples who have not yet made a power of attorney or living will: From January 1st, married couples can decide for each other on health issues for a legally stipulated period of six months if one spouse is no longer able to do so due to health reasons. The start time must be confirmed by a doctor. He is also released from medical confidentiality for the entire period. However, if the spouses have separated, this right of representation does not apply.

Health insurance companies can ask for more money

From the new year, the statutory health insurance companies may increase the additional contribution. If this is the case, insured persons can make use of a special right of termination until the end of January. The new health insurance company then takes care of the termination and everything related to the change. But be careful: Registering with the new health insurance company does not automatically mean membership. There is still a notice period of two months to the end of the month. During this time, the higher contributions will also be due. Those with statutory health insurance can find out whether membership will be more expensive on the respective website of your health insurance company or in the members' magazine.

Higher contribution assessment limit

In the new year, the contribution assessment limit for statutory health insurance will increase from EUR 58,050 per year to EUR 59,850 per year (EUR 4,987.50 per month). Employees are subject to contributions up to the contribution assessment limit. Anything beyond that is free of charge. In 2023, the compulsory insurance limit will also increase. The limit up to which employees must be legally insured increases from EUR 64,350 per year to EUR 66,600 per year (EUR 5,550 per month). Those who earn more can take out private insurance.

Electronic patient file with new functions

The electronic patient record (ePA) has been available to those with statutory health insurance since January 1st. All medical treatment documents can be found in the personal health file, but you can also upload your own medical documents. New functions will be added at the turn of the year. In the future, data can be released and used in pseudonymised form for research purposes. In the future, patients will also be able to manage electronic certificates of incapacity for work, hospital discharge letters, laboratory values, care transfer forms and other things with the ePA. In the future, data from apps can also be stored in the EHR on prescription. There may also be an opt-out solution for the ePA in the future - this can also be checked from the new year. This means that the ePA is then automatically created for all insured persons. A contradiction is nevertheless possible.

Certificate of incapacity for work only electronically

From 2023, the sick note will be history: From then on, there will no longer be a paper certificate of incapacity for work that has to be presented to the employer. From January 1, the employee must retrieve the data from the employee's respective health insurance company. The medical practices and hospitals send the sick leave to the health insurance companies digitally, while the patients continue to receive the paper copy of the certificate of incapacity for work for their records. Of course, employees must continue to inform their employer of their inability to work as quickly as possible. However, physiotherapists and psychotherapists as well as rehabilitation facilities and doctors who work abroad are excluded from the new regulation. This new regulation of the electronic certificate of incapacity for work does not apply to privately insured persons.

E-prescription should come

From summer 2023, insured persons should be able to redeem e-prescriptions digitally with their electronic health card (eGK) in the pharmacy without paper. The doctor saves the prescription in the telematics infrastructure, and in the pharmacy the patients only have to insert their electronic health card into the card terminal. The prerequisite is that the patient has an eGK.

New pork labeling law

From the summer of 2023, the new Animal Husbandry Labeling Act is to come into force. If the unprocessed pork comes from German production, consumers will be able to see how the animals were kept in the future. The regulation does not apply to imported meat. In the future, there will be five categories of barn, barn space, fresh air barn, exercise area/outdoor and organic. Later, this regulation will also apply to beef and poultry, as well as to gastronomy and processed meat products.

Certain blue and green pigments in tattoo inks will be banned

After the use of more than 4,000 dangerous chemicals in tattoo ink and permanent make-up was restricted or banned across the EU in 2022, the dyes "Pigment Blue 15:3" and "Pigment Green 7" will also come to an end on January 4, 2023 ". Due to the lack of better alternatives, a longer transitional period was granted for the two popular dyes.

Inks for tattoos or permanent make-up must also be labeled for this purpose since 2022. The label must include a list of ingredients and relevant safety information. In order to be better prepared for any problems with tattoos that may arise later, it makes sense to photograph the labels of the tattoo colors used and keep the photos or have a list of the ingredients given to you. However, the ban on well-known pigments must not lead to less well-studied substances being used as substitutes or even illegal pigments being used.