Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e.V.

What Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e.V. does

Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Köln, Germany (Edmund-Rumpler-Straße 2, 51149 Köln), that delivers continuing medical education (CME) and certified qualification programs for general practitioners (Hausärzt:innen) and their medical practice teams in Germany. The organization operates a multi-portal digital platform — the main ihf-fortbildung.de site plus dedicated sub-portals for physicians (aerzte.ihf-fortbildung.de), practice staff (verah.ihf-fortbildung.de), and Primary Care Managers / Physician Assistants (pcm.ihf-fortbildung.de) — supported by segmented newsletters and Facebook/Instagram channels. Its flagship program is VERAH (Versorgungsassistenz in der Hausarztpraxis), a multi-module certification of 106 classroom hours, 54 employer-certified competency hours, and a 40-hour network-partner practicum across eight modules (Case Management, Prevention, Health Management, Technical Management, Practice Management, Visit Management, Emergency Management, Wound Management), complemented by VERAHplus specialization modules, NÄPa/EVA qualification, and structured CME tracks for physicians delivered via compact seminars, training weekends, training weeks at Gardasee/Mallorca, an Alpine week, and the annual VERAH Kongress.

IHF monetizes primarily through course registration and seminar fees, with a secondary stream from a dedicated VERAH merchandise online shop (verah-shop.ihf-fortbildung.de). Pricing is one-time per course with member discounts for affiliates of state associations of the Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V.; education cheques and premium vouchers are accepted only in connection with VERAH Kompaktseminar bookings. The organization maintains close operational ties to the Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V. and its state (Landesverbände) associations — which act as distribution and channel partners providing members access to protected content and discounted pricing — and shares data with HÄVG Hausärztliche Vertragsgemeinschafts AG (which provides IHF's data protection officer and manages HZV contracts), anchoring the VERAH program within the Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung (HZV) framework under §73b SGB V and tying the qualification to specific physician reimbursement allowances (e.g., VERAH surcharges on chronic disease management fees, home visit billing).

Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via IHF's own website portals and self-serve online booking, supplemented by email newsletters, organic social media (separate physician and practice-team accounts), clinical content marketing, and an event-driven component (regional seminars, training weekends, training weeks, congresses). The customer base comprises licensed general practitioners seeking CME compliance and medical assistants pursuing VERAH or NÄPa/EVA certification, with additional segments for Primary Care Managers and Physician Assistants. The organization is small (7 employees), holds TÜV Rheinland certification of its web portal, and self-reports >97% positive participant ratings. No public listing, no parent company, and no VC/PE backing are referenced; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e.V.

Legal name

Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e. V.

Website

https://ihf-fortbildung.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e.V. is a Cologne-based non-profit association that delivers continuing medical education and the certified VERAH qualification program for German general practitioners and their medical practice teams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Medical Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Certifications (EDAAANAI)

Keywords

• Continuing medical education
• General practice training
• Medical assistant certification
• Healthcare professional development
• Primary care seminars

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Training and seminar fees: IHF generates revenue primarily through paid registration fees for continuing medical education courses, seminars, compact seminars (Kompaktseminare), and congresses. Fees vary by course type, with member discounts offered to those affiliated with state associations of the Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V.
2. VERAH merchandise and product sales: IHF operates a dedicated VERAH online shop selling physical products related to the VERAH qualification program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IHF delivers accredited continuing medical education and professional development for German general practitioners and their practice teams, primarily through its flagship VERAH (Versorgungsassistenz in der Hausarztpraxis) certification program for medical assistants and a portfolio of compact seminars, webinars, training weekends, training weeks, and annual congresses. Courses cover clinical topics for physicians and qualification programs (VERAH, NäPa/EVA) for medical assistants, with recognized relevance under the HZV (Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung) statutory framework.

Product overview

The Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e.V. operates a multi-format continuing medical education platform centered on its flagship VERAH (Versorgungsassistenz in der Hausarztpraxis) program—a certified qualification for medical assistants comprising 8 core modules (Case Management, Prevention, Health Management, Technical Management, Practice Management, Visit Management, Emergency Management, Wound Management), offered as compact seminars or web-based training. This core offering is complemented by VERAHplus specialization modules for advanced practitioners and NäPa/EVA qualifications for non-physician practice assistants. The organization also provides structured training tracks for family physicians (Fortbildungen für Hausärzt:innen), practice teams (Fortbildungen für das Praxisteam), and Primary Care Managers/Physician Assistants (PCM/PA), delivered through seminars, congresses, and multi-day programs at locations including the IHF Fortbildungswoche at Lake Garda and Mallorca. Supporting services include specialized newsletters for physicians and practice staff, a VERAH merchandise shop, billing guidance for the Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung (HZV) framework, and an annual training calendar. The organization hosts the annual VERAH Kongress in Soltau and publishes news content covering clinically relevant topics for general practitioners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VERAH (Versorgungsassistenz in der Hausarztpraxis) VERAH is IHF's flagship certified qualification program for medical assistants in German general practices, consisting of 8 specialized modules (Case Management, Prevention, Health Management, Technical Management, Practice Management, Visit Management, Emergency Management, Wound Management) totaling 106 classroom hours, 54 employer-certified competency hours, and a 40-hour practicum with network partners. It is recognized within the HZV framework and enables expanded delegated roles in patient care.
• VERAH Kompaktseminar An intensive compact seminar format that delivers the entire VERAH theoretical curriculum (8 modules) in three blocks over eleven days, with the option to complete modules as web seminars instead. Designed for medical assistants pursuing the VERAH qualification on an accelerated schedule.
• VERAHplus Modules Advanced specialization modules for VERAH graduates covering palliative care, pain management, dementia care, and chronic wound management. With five or more years of professional experience, VERAH graduates can use these modules to qualify for NäPa (non-physician practice assistant) status.
• NäPa/EVA Qualification Qualification program for non-physician practice assistants (NäPa / EVA) that can be combined with VERAH, enabling broader delegation of physician tasks in German general practices. Includes examination through the state medical association, with IHF organizing examination dates for Niedersachsen and Rheinland-Pfalz.
• Fortbildungen für Hausärzt:innen Continuing medical education programs for German general practitioners, offered as seminars, weekend courses, week-long programs, and the Alpine week, covering medically relevant primary care topics.
• Fortbildungen für das Praxisteam Training offerings for all medical practice staff, including medical assistant (MFA) training, VERAH qualification, and NäPa courses, aimed at non-physician personnel in German general practices.
• Fortbildungen für PCM und PA Specialized training programs for Primary Care Managers (PCM) and Physician Assistants (PA) supporting general practice teams in expanded primary care roles.
• VERAH Kongress Annual congress for VERAH-qualified medical assistants and practice teams featuring seminars, training sessions, and networking opportunities. Held at various German locations including Bad Kissingen and Soltau.
• IHF Fortbildungswoche (Lake Garda, Mallorca, Alpine week) Week-long training programs combining continuing medical education with travel, held at international and domestic destinations including Lake Garda, Mallorca, and the Alpine region, offered in cooperation with local medical societies.
• IHF Fortbildungskalender Annual calendar of all IHF training events, published as a PDF, providing an overview of scheduled seminars, congresses, and educational events for the upcoming year.
• VERAH Abrechnung und Honorierung Information and support service for VERAH billing and reimbursement within the HZV framework, including forms and guidance for KV billing and VERAH surcharges on chronic disease management fees and home visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8.2% fewer specialist consultations in VERAH practices vs non-VERAH practices (AOK Baden-Württemberg study, 2014, 861,223 patients)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HÄVG Hausärztliche Vertragsgemeinschafts AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHF shares data with HÄVG Hausärztliche Vertragsgemeinschafts AG and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as part of its data processing and business operations. HÄVG AG is closely affiliated with the Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V. and manages HZV (Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung) contracts. The data protection officer of IHF is provided by HÄVG AG.
• Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V. and its state associationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHF is closely affiliated with the Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V. and its state (Landesverbände) associations. Members of state associations receive discounts on IHF training courses. IHF works with state associations to provide access to protected content areas and to organize events.
• mm medizin + medizen Verlage GmbHminorOthersmm medizin + medizen Verlage GmbH is part of the Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V. group of companies and may be a recipient of data from IHF in connection with the shared data processing arrangement.
• Landesärztekammern (State Medical Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHF works with Landesärztekammern (state medical associations) for NäPa/EVA qualification examinations. For federal states Niedersachsen and Rheinland-Pfalz, IHF organizes examination dates itself. Other candidates must arrange Lernerfolgskontrolle through their respective state medical association.
• State medical associations for VERAH recognition (Landesverbände)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState associations of the Hausärztinnen- und Hausärzteverband e.V. act as distribution partners, providing members with access to protected content and discounted training prices. They also issue passwords for protected areas and facilitate the partnership network.
• Social network partners (network institutions for VERAH internships)minorOthersVERAH trainees complete a 40-hour internship (Praktikum) at network partner institutions including specialized medical practices, nursing services, medical supply stores, hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies, which cooperate with general practices in patient care.
• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIHF promotes the DOSB 'Rezept für Bewegung' (Exercise Prescription) program to general practitioners, recommending it as a tool to motivate patients toward physical activity. The DOSB provides materials developed in cooperation with the Bundesärztekammer and DGSP.
• Krankenkassen (Health Insurance Funds) in HZV contractscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth insurance funds participating in Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung (HZV) contracts recognize VERAH qualifications and provide specific reimbursement for VERAH services, including VERAH surcharges on chronic disease management fees (Chronikerpauschale P3) and home visits.

Scale indicators1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Medscape Deutschland (WebMD): Global physician information and CME platform with a German presence; comparable to IHF as a provider of accredited online CME for physicians, but operates across specialties and is not German-GP-specific.
• DocCheck: Established German healthcare professional community and content platform offering CME, news, and specialty communities; overlapping audience of German physicians and an alternative channel for accredited continuing education versus IHF's GP-focused offering.
• Springer Medizin / Springer Nature: Major German medical publisher (Springer Medizin) operating a broad CME platform (e.Med, e.Curriculum) serving physicians across specialties; overlaps with IHF in delivering accredited CME to German doctors but lacks IHF's exclusive GP-and-practice-team focus and VERAH certification.
• Thieme Compliance / Thieme Gruppe: Leading German medical publisher with a dedicated CME portal (cme.thieme.de) and certified online training offerings for physicians; comparable to IHF as a CME provider in Germany, but operates across specialties rather than focusing exclusively on general practice.

Emerging players

• coliquio: German physician online community and CME provider serving general practitioners and specialists; competes with IHF for German GP attention, sponsored CME, and clinical content engagement.
• AMBOSS: Digital medical knowledge and decision-support platform widely adopted by German physicians and medical students, increasingly extending into certified CME credits; competes with IHF for physician learning time and CME budgets, especially among digitally native GPs.

Others

• Bundesärztekammer: German Medical Association that sets CME credit frameworks and coordinates with state chambers (Landesärztekammern); a regulatory and standards-setting counterpart to IHF rather than a competitor, but relevant since IHF's CME offerings must align with BÄK-accredited frameworks.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin (DEGAM): German scientific society for general practice and family medicine; comparable as the academic counterpart producing guidelines and educational content for German GPs, and referenced in IHF's news content, but is a scientific association rather than a commercial CME operator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/ihf_ev
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-f%C3%BCr-haus%C3%A4rztliche-fortbildung-ihf-e-v

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institut für Hausärztliche Fortbildung (IHF) e.V.