Freedom of Choice Pilot
Freedom of Choice Pilot for those aged 65 and over briefly
- During the Freedom of Choice Pilot, individuals aged 65 and over can use private general practitioner services up to three times a year at the same price as public healthcare services, under €30 per visit.
- The freedom of choice covers two private doctor visits in 2025 and three visits in 2026 and 2027.
- The pilot also includes certain laboratory and imaging tests prescribed by a doctor, for which the customer pays a 50% co-payment of the defined price and the sample collection fee.
- The Kela reimbursement is applied directly, and there is no need to apply for it separately.
Services included in the Freedom of Choice Pilot
The Freedom of Choice Pilot covers general practitioner appointments both on-site and remotely, such as video and phone consultations. Additionally, the pilot includes certain tests prescribed by a general practitioner, such as blood tests, urine tests, heart ECGs, and chest X-rays. Kela will confirm the final list of reimbursable tests before the pilot begins.
How to book a doctor’s appointment for the Freedom of Choice Pilot for those aged 65 and over
You can book an appointment with our general practitioner through online booking or by calling our customer service at 010 414 00 (local network rate/mobile charge) once the freedom of choice trial has started.
Book online
Book by phone (local network rate/mobile charge)
Arrive at the general practitioner’s office 10 minutes before your scheduled time. You can check in using the OmaMehiläinen app, by showing an ID (photo ID, passport, or driver’s license) at the self-service kiosk, or by checking in at the service desk.
If this is your first visit to Mehiläinen, please check in at the service desk. At the service desk, you will receive a form regarding the shared use of the patient register, which you can fill out while waiting.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, please check in primarily using the OmaMehiläinen app. In this case, it is also advisable to wear a face mask to prevent infections.
The general practitioner will discuss your symptoms and health status with you and perform necessary physical examinations, such as examining the throat or skin, measuring blood pressure, or listening to the lungs and heart.
After basic examinations, the doctor may refer you for further tests, such as imaging or laboratory tests, to refine the diagnosis and treatment. See the list of laboratory tests included in the Freedom of Choice Pilot.
The doctor will make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan, which may include medication, lifestyle changes, further tests, or a referral to another healthcare professional.
How to prepare for a general practitioner appointment
Please remember that the doctor cannot access your health information on the Kanta.fi service unless you have given separate consent on Kanta.fi. Previous health information often plays a significant role in treatment planning and ensuring patient safety.
You can also write down or recall the following information if it applies to you:
- Symptoms and illnesses. Be prepared to discuss your current symptoms, illnesses, and any concerns.
- Medications. Your current medications and any drug allergies.
- Tests. Any previous tests and measurements, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, or PEF monitoring, which are usually available in OmaKanta if consent for data visibility has been granted.
- Hereditary risk factors. Hereditary risk factors, such as memory disorders, cancer, blood clots in close relatives, or other family illnesses.
- Companion. You can bring a companion or family member to the appointment, who can help provide additional information.
Frequently asked questions about the Freedom of Choice Pilot for those aged 65 and over
In the Freedom of Choice Pilot, individuals aged 65 and over can visit a private general practitioner for a co-payment equivalent to the public healthcare customer fee, i.e., €28.20. Patients can choose their doctor and healthcare provider from the participating service providers. A 50% reimbursement is also available for the most commonly needed and specifically defined laboratory tests.
Three general practitioner visits are reimbursed per calendar year.
General practitioner visits:
In 2025, two general practitioner visits are reimbursed, as the pilot starts on September 1st.
In 2026, three general practitioner visits are reimbursed.
In 2027, three general practitioner visits are also reimbursed.
Additionally, tests are reimbursed for up to three prescriptions, as only tests prescribed during a pilot-compliant doctor’s visit are reimbursed.
Yes, you can. Please note that in 2025, a total of two general practitioner visits are reimbursed, and in 2026, a total of three general practitioner visits are reimbursed.
Yes. Previous health and test information is usually available in OmaKanta if consent for data visibility has been granted. Information recorded during visits to Mehiläinen is also updated in OmaKanta.
The aim of the Freedom of Choice Pilot is to improve access to primary healthcare-level services for those aged 65 and over, enhance customer choice, and enable more equitable access to private healthcare, which can help reduce the burden on wellbeing services counties. The pilot also aims to develop Kela reimbursements (e.g., testing price caps) and increase the effectiveness of reimbursements as part of the overall healthcare system.
The Freedom of Choice Pilot reimburses general practitioner visits in private healthcare for service providers who have an agreement with Kela. The reimbursement is applied directly at the healthcare provider by presenting a Kela card or ID. The healthcare provider deducts the reimbursement directly from the doctor’s visit fee.
The customer only pays the co-payment, which is equivalent to the public healthcare customer fee, i.e., €28.20. No separate office fees, outpatient clinic fees, or Kanta fees are charged for the visits. Additionally, 50% of the cost of tests prescribed during pilot-compliant doctor’s visits and the sample collection fee are reimbursed.