Pilot study on freedom of choice in healthcare begins on 1 September – hundreds of private healthcare providers to participate

Approximately 400 private healthcare providers have already signed up for the pilot study on freedom of choice in healthcare. The goal of the pilot study is to facilitate access to the services of private general practitioners for persons aged 65 or over starting from 1 September 2025. During the pilot study, they will pay a significantly lower fee for appointments with a private general practitioner – only up to the local user fee charged by public healthcare providers for each appointment. The pilot study encompasses more than 20% of the total Finnish population, and it will run until the end of 2027.

Large number of participating service providers supports regional coverage

Kela will carry out the pilot study in cooperation with private healthcare providers. Approximately 400 private healthcare providers have signed up for the pilot study so far. This number includes large service providers that operate nationwide. Although large chains have signed up for the pilot study, each individual doctor and private medical clinic can decide whether to participate in the pilot study. This means that all general practitioners retained by a specific service provider may not necessarily be participating in the study.

“The participating service providers create a network with wide coverage that also offers customers the opportunity to book remote appointments regardless of where they may live. Ensuring extensive regional coverage is important in order for the pilot study to provide the best possible data on how this kind of freedom of choice works in different circumstances,” says Auli Valli-Lintu, Director of Legislative Development at Kela.

It is important to ensure that the network keeps expanding, which is why Kela encourages smaller and more local service providers to join the pilot study. Private clinics and individual doctors can join the pilot study as a service provider at any point during its run by signing a contract with Kela.

Kela will publish a list of all participating service providers on its website by 1 September 2025 at the latest.

Customers know how much they will pay in advance 

During the pilot study, customers will pay up to EUR 28.20 (in 2025) for each appointment with a private general practitioner. No other fees will be charged. The appointment can be an in-person appointment or a remote video or phone appointment.

In addition, customers will pay half of a maximum price set by Kela for each laboratory test or imaging study ordered by the doctor during the appointment. Customers will also have to pay half of the laboratory fee charged by the clinic. The maximum fee is set at EUR 30. For example, the maximum price a participating clinic can charge for a basic blood count is EUR 6. The clinic will then add a laboratory fee of EUR 30 to this price. As the customer is responsible for paying half of the total, the customer will have to pay EUR 18.

However, service providers may choose to charge a price that is lower than the maximum price. This will then also reduce the amount payable by the customer.

The range of services the participating private healthcare providers will provide during the pilot study will vary. Some will offer a full range of services, while others will only provide remote appointments or laboratory and imaging services. Some service providers may also limit the availability of laboratory and imaging services at the prices set for the pilot study to the service provider’s own customers. Participating service providers do not have to accept referrals from other service providers.

In 2025, the pilot study covers up to two appointments with a private general practitioner. In 2026 and 2027, the number of appointments goes up to three per year. Customers must keep track of their appointments, for example with the help of the OmaKela e-service.

Although the pilot study does not cover appointments with a specialist, customers can still get reimbursement for these appointments as set out in the Health Insurance Act during the pilot study. Other health services are also not included in the pilot study, and customers cannot use their appointments, for example, to undergo the health check required for their driver’s licence. 

Pilot study as a source of data for the development of services

Research will be conducted during the pilot study to assess the availability of services, the continuity of care, customer experiences, cost impacts and the functionality of the entire system. The results of this research will provide valuable information that can be used in the development of healthcare services and to improve access to treatment.

The pilot study is made possible by a temporary amendment made to the Health Insurance Act that allows Kela to reimburse private healthcare providers for appointments with a general practitioner and certain tests, examinations and treatment they provide to persons aged 65 or over.

Read more 

Appointments with a private general practitioner for persons aged 65 or over

Maximum prices for the examinations and tests included in the pilot study (PDF)