In 2022, Kela paid reimbursements for doctor’s fees, treatment, research and dental care to 2.26 million people who used private healthcare.
“The number of recipients of Kela compensation shows that private services are really important to Finns. Private health care services are used especially for dental care,” commented a Kela expert. Timo Hujanen.
The conditions for receiving private healthcare compensation have been tightened and compensations have been cut several times during the 2010s. This has reduced the use of private services and thus also the number of recipients of Kela compensation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, utilization of healthcare services was at an all-time low in 2020.
In 2021, the number of Kela compensation recipients started to rise, and in 2022 there were over 110,000 more compensation recipients than the previous year.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for healthcare services was blocked. At the same time, the public sector has long waiting times. This has affected the spike in demand for private services,” said Hujanen.
Comprehensive private healthcare services covered by Kela compensation will be reduced from the beginning of 2023. Their effects will become clear during the beginning of the year.
Private medical services are used especially in big cities. More than 45 percent of the residents of Varsinais-Suomen, Satakunta and Helsinki welfare areas received compensation from private health care. The fewest Kela compensation recipients, less than 30 percent, were in Kainuu and Central Ostrobothnia.
“Private medical services are available especially in large cities, which is also reflected in the distribution of compensation recipients. There is less demand for private services in smaller and sparsely populated welfare areas,” said Hujanen.
All in all, Kela’s data show that private healthcare services are still important to many Finns, especially in dental care areas and larger cities. Depending on the availability and accessibility of public healthcare services, the growth trend of private healthcare service reimbursement recipients may continue in the coming years.
HT
Source: The Nordic Page