Kela launches subsidised private medical access for over-65s
Nemzetközi hírek, 15 Sept 2025
People over the age of 65 can, as of Monday, see a private practitioner for the price of a public health appointment. Seeing a private doctor will be more affordable for seniors as a pilot programme allows those over 65 to access private general practitioner appointments and pay only the equivalent of the public healthcare patient fee.
Finland's experiment with 'freedom' in healthcare begins on Monday, 1 September.
Under the programme, people over 65 may see a private practitioner while paying a public healthcare fee.
The trial, scheduled to run until the end of 2027, allows for a maximum of two visits this year and up to three annually thereafter. It excludes specialist consultations and cannot be used for administrative medical checks, such as those required for a driver's licence.
According to social insurance institution Kela, hundreds of private healthcare providers are participating in the pilot.
Last month, an Yle study drawing on Kela's own data revealed that the agency's reimbursements for private doctor visits have increased public costs, while ultimately failing to boost visits.
Yle News' All Points North podcast explored whether private insurance is necessary to see a doctor today in Finland. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
