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Learn more nowElectronic Certificate of Incapacity for Work (eAU)
Digitalization in Healthcare Simplifies Communication and Processes
Processes in the healthcare sector are increasingly being digitalized, including the reporting of sick leave. For some time now, the Electronic Certificate of Incapacity for Work (eAU) has been in use. The eAU is the digital version of the traditional sick note and serves as electronic proof of incapacity for work for employees with statutory health insurance. This change is part of the broader digital transformation in healthcare.
Since January 1, 2023, the eAU process has been fully implemented, making paper certificates—commonly known as the “yellow slip” - a thing of the past.
Efficient Communication Through eAU: Benefits for Employees and Employers
The eAU process connects various stakeholders, including employees, employers, and health insurance providers. All parties benefit from this digitalized system, which significantly simplifies procedures and communication:
- In the event of illness, employees are still required to notify their employer of their incapacity to work (§ 5 EntgFG). However, a paper certificate is no longer necessary, as the proof is now provided digitally - saving time and reducing administrative effort.
- Employers can retrieve the employee’s certificate of incapacity directly from the health insurance provider in electronic form. This reduces paperwork and manual processes, allowing HR resources to be used more efficiently and streamlining the overall workflow.
Direct Retrieval of eAU with the IF-6040 Module
Modern systems are essential for the eAU process and play a key role in efficient organization and administration. The IF-6040 time management solution from Interflex is a vital component in the digitalization and modernization of today’s HR processes. It supports HR professionals by integrating the eAU process into absence management.
Centralized Data Availability and Reduced Administration for Your HR Department
To meet the legal requirement for digital eAU retrieval, employers need suitable applications that save time and resources. The eAU direct add-on module in IF-6040 offers significant relief: it enables the convenient direct retrieval of electronic certificates of incapacity for work within the IF-6040 time management system. Additionally, eAU requests can be linked to various types of absences in the system. This allows for better coordination of absences with or without continued pay.
Thanks to the centralized availability of all absence-related information, your HR department benefits from reduced administrative workload. There is no longer a need to retrieve information via third-party systems.
Does the reported duration of the employee’s illness match the eAU data? Are there discrepancies? All relevant information and feedback from the queries are available to authorized users in a clear and integrated interface.
More Efficiency for Your HR Processes:
The Benefits of eAU Direct
Relieve Your HR Department with the Electronic Certificate of Incapacity for Work and the “eAU Direct” Module. By combining the electronic certificate of incapacity for work (eAU) with the “eAU Direct” module, you can significantly reduce the workload on your HR department. You benefit from automated processes, instant access to information, and optimized data management - resulting in greater efficiency, time savings, and user-friendliness.
Key Benefits at a Glance:
- Seamless integration of eAU retrieval into absence management within your time tracking system
- Elimination of system disruptions and duplicate data entry
- Real-time access to up-to-date information on all types of absences (with or without continued pay), including interim reports from health insurers during ongoing cases
- Clear tracking of recorded absences, retrieval statuses, and responses
- Automatic pre-existing condition inquiry to check continued payment of remuneration, without the use of additional programs (payroll accounting) or portals (social security reporting portal of health insurance companies)
- Fully automated retrieval of eAU data
- Absences can be recorded either by central HR roles or by employees themselves, further reducing the burden on central functions
- Automated validity checks of the TLS client certificate with advance notifications before expiration - minimizing downtime and security risks while ensuring continuous availability of eAU services
- Automatic adoption of the reported absence period from the health insurer (default setting), with the option for manual adjustments if needed
The “eAU Direct” module is ITSG-certified, ensuring secure, efficient, and reliable data exchange with statutory health insurers via GKV servers. This guarantees that your confidential information is transmitted safely and in compliance with legal standards.
