OBJECTIVES: There is strong evidence that health management programs should be designed according to the need of a target population. Personalized medicine is currently a popular topic in health care debates, yet the basic differentiation into females and males is hardly found in programs of health insurances. This explorative study aims at elucidating the opinion of German Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) managers on gender-specific care, to understand responsibilities and possible implementation opportunities. METHODS: A questionnaire on the implementation of gender medicine in current healthcare landscape, based on literature review and expert consultations, was developed from April to June 2013. It includes open- and closed-ended questions on the following three topics: expectations/prioritization, need for action and implementation. Forty-eight insurance managers of the largest German SHIs, covering over 95% of the market, were asked to complete a web-based survey, achieving a response rate of 57%. Descriptive analyses and intra-group comparisons have been performed to assess statistical differences. RESULTS: According to the insurance managers (76%), gender-specific care is not sufficiently incorporated into standard medical care. Respondents claim the responsibility lies with doctors and with their associations. Only 30% of respondents see an active contribution of health insurances as a prerequisite for a successful implementation of gender-specific care. The key success factors, according to insurance managers are: knowledge and acceptance by physicians, sufficient medical evidence, and the integration of gender aspects in treatment guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: German SHIs expect a significant governmental influence and/or support of self-governing bodies to achieve an incorporation of gender medicine in daily practice. In fact, they display a strong averseness to take primary responsibility for the integration of gender-specific approaches in their programs. Although insurance companies consider themselves only a subordinated instance, their positive perception of the topic should be integrated into the implementation process, as soon as critical hurdles in the medical field will be removed.