hkk & XUND: Digital health checks for everyone

From getting to know each other to successful collaboration

In October 2023, representatives of hkk Krankenkasse and the Austrian healthcare startup XUND met at the 5-HT event “Insuring Digital Health” (IDH). What began as matchmaking and networking quickly developed into a groundbreaking partnership: Since March 2025, hkk Krankenkasse has been offering the XUND solutions “Symptom Check” and “Health Check” on its website - a milestone for both companies.

But how did this come about? What hurdles were overcome and what makes this cooperation so special? In conversations with Patrick Schraps (Business Development Manager at XUND), Ole Schuller (Team Lead Digital Products & Services at hkk), Nora Vogel and Mirko Vopalensky (both Product Developers at hkk), we uncovered the success story behind this collaboration.

The beginning: a matchmaker called 5-HT

The initial spark came at the 5-HT event “Insuring Digital Health”. Tobias Dubiel, then a product developer at hkk, met Lukas Seper (Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer) and Christian Haberfehlner (Partnership Manager) from XUND there.

“That was a bit of a door opener for communication. We realized that hkk is definitely interested, open to these topics and also understands them.” – Patrick Schraps, XUND

Shortly after the event, an initial in-depth exchange took place - not only with Tobias Dubiel, but soon also with a larger team from hkk, including the Executive Board.

“We had our first call with Tobias shortly after the joint pitch event. That was the initial spark.” – Patrick Schraps, XUND

It quickly became clear: hkk was looking for innovative solutions to better support its policyholders - and XUND offered exactly that.

Christian Haberfehlner from XUND at the 5-HT Insuring Digital Health event in October 2023

hkk Website Symptom Check & Health Check

From idea to implementation: Why hkk chose XUND

1. The Symptom Check: digital initial assessment for patients

The XUND Symptom Check helps users to classify their complaints:

• Do I need to see a doctor?

• Which specialist is the right one?

• Can I solve the problem telemedically?

“It's more or less an assessment that captures the customer's needs and matches them with the health insurance company's offers.” – Patrick Schraps, XUND

2. The Health Check: Prevention as Game-Changer

Things got even more exciting when XUND presented hkk's Health Check - a 360-degree tool for preventive healthcare that will cover 14 health topics in the future (including mental health, women's/men's health and oncological risks).

As a digital prevention tool, the Health Check helps to identify health risks at an early stage - anytime and anywhere. By answering targeted questions about lifestyle, demographics, medical history and more, users receive a validated health risk assessment with personalized recommendations for long-term health.

“The hkk was so enthusiastic that they committed very early on - even though the product wasn't even fully developed at the time. The most striking thing was hkk's courage and speed of implementation and, of course, their trust in us.” - Patrick Schraps, XUND

“We always communicated very openly with XUND, addressed our respective needs and concerns and found solutions for everything. The cooperation with XUND was and is very pleasant and constructive.” - Nora Vogel, hkk

As a first mover for this solution in the German statutory health insurance market, hkk is setting new standards in preventive care.

Screenshots XUND Website with reference project hkk

What makes the solutions so special?

Holistic approach

• The Health Check is the first certified medical device of its kind to enable a digital health check.

• The Symptom Check is the first symptom check in the industry based on a certified Class IIa medical device.

• Users receive personalized feedback and recommendations for action, some of which are directly linked to hkk's services.

Seamless integration into the hkk ecosystem

• The solution is fully embedded in the design of the hkk website.

• After the check, users are redirected to suitable hkk offers if required (e.g. doctor search, telemedicine services, prevention programs).

Data protection & user-friendliness

• Checks remain private: No registration and disclosure of individual results.

• Also accessible to non-insured persons - a free service with added value for everyone.

The role of 5-HT as an enabler

Without 5-HT's networking platform, this partnership would probably not have come about so quickly.

“How valuable the doors are that your event has given us to present ourselves and show innovative things to the right people - that's just super important.” – Patrick Schraps, XUND

“How valuable the doors are that your event has given us to present ourselves and show innovative things to the right people - that's just super important.” – Nora Vogel, hkk

Outlook: What's next?

The collaboration continues:

• Expansion of the health check topics (currently: cardiovascular, mental health, oncological risks).

• Integration into the hkk app (expected by the end of 2025).

• Campaigns to activate users (e.g. targeted mailings to insured persons).

“We are proud to be the first statutory health insurance company in Germany to implement this health check and look forward to the next steps in our collaboration with XUND.” – Mirko Vopalensky, hkk

Conclusion: A success story with exemplary character

The partnership between hkk and XUND shows

✔ Innovation takes courage - hkk led the way as a first mover.

✔ Digital healthcare solutions can improve care - for insured persons and health insurance companies.

✔ Networks like 5-HT are crucial for enabling such collaborations.

Try the XUND solutions: hkk Symptom Check & Health Check (in German)

About:

• hkk Krankenkasse: https://www.hkk.de

• XUND: https://xund.ai