From Pharmacy Triage to Peripartum Screening: Germany’s Workplace Health Ecosystem Expands in July
02.07.2026 - 21:55:19 | boerse-global.de
Pharmacies across Germany are now allowed to offer assisted telemedicine under a regulatory change that took effect on July 1. Based on the Digital Health Act (Digital-Gesetz), the new service lets trained pharmacy staff conduct structured initial assessments when customers suspect an illness and support video consultations with physicians. A few hundred pharmacies have signed up so far, requiring both dedicated consultation rooms and specialised personnel.
The move is part of a broader wave of workplace health initiatives rolling out this month, as insurers, fitness platforms, and statutory health funds race to meet rising demand from employers and employees alike.
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Statutory health insurance expands mental-health screening for new parents
The BKK Landesverband Bayern, a regional association of company health insurance funds, has broadened its framework contract for the “Starke Kids by BKK” programme. Starting with the U3 and U4 paediatric checkups, the programme now includes screening for peripartum depression. Background data shows that 10 to 15 percent of mothers and 5 to 10 percent of fathers are affected, yet cases are often detected late. An accompanying study is scheduled to run through December 2026. The Bavarian state parliament already voted on June 24 to request that the screening be folded into standard statutory coverage.
DEVK enters the corporate health insurance market with fixed-budget tariffs
On July 1, the DEVK insurance group launched “JobMed,” its entry into the corporate health insurance (bKV) segment. The product is aimed at small and medium-sized companies with at least five employees. Tariffs are structured as annual budgets of €400, €800, or €1,200. Covered services include eyeglasses, dental treatments, and naturopathic procedures. An inpatient tariff for a two-bed room rounds out the package. The DEVK waives health checks and waiting periods.
EGYM Wellpass adds outdoor navigation through komoot partnership
Fitness subscription provider EGYM Wellpass has teamed up with the route?planning platform komoot to give members premium access to outdoor navigation features. The company’s goal is to encourage employees to get active outdoors, supporting both physical and mental fitness. According to an EGYM Wellpass report, 66 percent of U.S. workers surveyed said their jobs tie them more tightly to their desks. Nearly half cited stress and mental exhaustion as their top problems, and over 60 percent said workplace health offers influence their decision to stay with an employer.
Regional health funds invest in local sports and academic stress research
The AOK Rheinland/Hamburg launched its “Gesundheitsmeister” programme at the start of July. Four community sports clubs in Düsseldorf and the Mettmann district are participating; they can earn cash awards for youth work by running health activities until June 30, 2027.
Meanwhile, the AOK PLUS has extended its cooperation with the University of Jena. A agreement signed in June 2025 allocates €580,000 in funding over three years to embed stress management and healthy leadership practices across university operations.
Health?tracking devices and corporate bike leasing gain momentum
A study by Oliver Wyman and the GFU indicates that 90 percent of people worldwide own at least one health?monitoring device. In Germany, 33 percent of users own five or more such devices. Average annual personal health spending in the country stands at roughly €390.
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Corporate mobility is also becoming part of workplace health strategies. The Decathlon PULSE Group has acquired a 65 percent majority stake in the Bikeleasing?Gruppe, which serves more than 80,000 corporate clients. A strategic partnership with folding?bike manufacturer Brompton aims to expand urban micro?mobility internationally.
In local fitness, a new 24/7 Fitomat studio opened on July 2 in Bruckmühl. The chain relies entirely on app?based control and works with partners such as Wellpass and Wellhub, allowing corporate customers to train anytime.
