The government launched a freedom of choice pilot that allow persons aged 65 and over to use private GP services with a user fee similar to that in public primary care centres. The pilot began on 1 September 2025 and ends at the end of 2027. The aim of the pilot is to improve the availability of and access to primary healthcare and provide more freedom of choice for customers.
The pilot is funded through Kela, which reimburses service providers for the amount exceeding the deductible. Maximum prices will be set for the services included in the pilot. This is the first time price regulation is used for the reimbursements Kela pays for the costs of private health services. The pilot is intended to also help Kela to advance its reimbursement system.
The pilot covers two private GP appointments per person in 2025 and three in 2026 and 2027. The number of appointments is limited to curb costs. Also some examinations and tests in the private sector are included in the pilot such as certain laboratory tests and imaging services. For those, the reimbursement will be half of the maximum fee determined by Kela. The private providers contract with Kela to receive the reimbursements.