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What you pay
A client fee is usually charged for the use of a health care service. The use of the services may incur high costs, some of which you will usually need to pay. Most often, you can receive reimbursement for the treatment costs retrospectively from the health insurance institution in your country of residence, such as Kela in Finland.
The fees are determined by a number of different factors, such as whether you are using the health care service in Finland or abroad, whether the service provider is public or private and whether or not hospital care is required.
Costs and reimbursements of treatment in Finland
A client fee is usually charged for the use of health care services in Finland. The fee is determined in several different ways based on whether you use public or private health care services.
Treatment costs in Finland for foreign patients
In Finland, you must pay either the municipal resident’s client fee for treatment received in public health care or all costs of the treatment. The payment is affected by the country from which you came to Finland, whether you have fallen suddenly ill during your stay in Finland or whether you have travelled to Finland for the express purpose of utilising the health care services.
Costs and reimbursements of treatment abroad
A client fee is usually charged for the use of health care services abroad. The pricing of the health care services and the fees collected from the clients are defined in very different ways in different countries. The situation is also affected by whether the country applies EU legislation.
Travel relating to treatment provided in Finland
Kela will usually reimburse treatment-related travel costs to the nearest hospital or health centre where the treatment that you require could have been provided.
Travel relating to treatment provided abroad
Kela will reimburse treatment-related travel costs if you have received treatment in another EU or EEA country, the United Kingdom or Switzerland. Travel costs incurred in other countries will not be reimbursed.
Special circumstances relating to treatment and travel
These pages contain information on special circumstances relating to treatment and travel, including rehabilitation costs abroad, hospital transfers, costs of assistive devices, as well as reimbursements for overnight accommodation for the patient or accompanying person.
Travel insurance and other insurances
Private insurance policies cover costs arising from sickness, medical treatment and accidents abroad. The coverage provided by private insurance policies supplements the statutory coverage. Taking out a travel insurance policy is recommended if you will be travelling abroad.