Research Services for Evaluation of the Innovation Fund

The German legislator has established the Innovation Fund through the GKV Supply Strengthening Act, specifically in sections 92a and 92b of the Social Code Book V (SGB V). This fund allows the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) to promote new and innovative forms of healthcare provision and research projects that go beyond standard care and have the potential to be permanently integrated into the statutory health insurance (GKV) system. The Innovation Fund has been further developed and institutionalized with the Digital Healthcare Act (DigiG) 2024. The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) is mandated to conduct a scientific evaluation of the Innovation Fund as per § 92a Abs. 5 SGB V. By June 30, 2028, the BMG will submit a report to the German Bundestag detailing the results of this evaluation. The overarching goal of the Innovation Fund is to qualitatively enhance healthcare provision within the statutory health insurance system in Germany. To achieve this, the fund supports new forms of healthcare provision (NVF) and patient-centered healthcare research (VSF). The funding for healthcare research includes the evaluation of G-BA guidelines, medical guidelines, and reporting systems to enhance patient safety. Each year, 200 million euros are allocated for this purpose, with 160 million euros designated for new forms of healthcare provision and 40 million euros for healthcare research, of which at least 5 million euros are earmarked for the development and improvement of medical guidelines that are in particular need. For further details, please refer to the service description.