Freedom of choice pilot for people over 65

If you are 65 or older, you can see a private general practitioner at the price of the local user fee charged by public healthcare providers. This system is available from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2027 as part of a pilot study on freedom of choice in healthcare for persons aged 65 or over.

Can you see a private general practitioner?

If you are 65 or older, you can see a private general practitioner from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2027 at the price of the local user fee charged by public healthcare providers.

In 2025, the first year of the freedom of choice pilot, you can see a private general practitioner twice at the price of the local user fee. In 2026 and 2027, you can have up to 3 appointments at this price in each calendar year. Visit the OmaKela e-service to see how many appointments you have left. Keep track of how many appointments you have used and how many you have left each year to avoid unexpected costs. You can also see this information in the OmaKela e-service, but it will be updated with a delay. 

You can get treatment and undergo examinations and tests at the prices listed for the pilot study only if you choose a general practitioner who is part of the freedom of choice pilot.

The pilot study does not cover

• appointments with a specialist     
• health checks for example for age-related reasons or to get a medical certificate for your driver’s licence
• services provided by a nurse. 

Print the brochure (PDF).

How much do you have to pay for each appointment?

You can see a private general practitioner at the price of the local user fee charged by public healthcare providers for a set number of times in each year of the freedom of choice pilot. The local user fee is EUR 28.20 or less in 2025. The appointments can be in-person appointments or remote video or phone appointments.

You will also have to pay half (50%) of the maximum price of certain examinations or tests your doctor orders for you during your appointments. See a list of the Kela reimbursement rates for various doctor’s appointments, examinations and tests (PDF).

You do not have to pay any separate service fees, administrative fees or other costs.

During the freedom of choice pilot, you also have the right to other reimbursements Kela pays for private medical care costs. For example, Kela will reimburse EUR 8 for a chat appointment and EUR 30 for appointments with other private practitioners.

Search for private clinics 

Choose the private clinic you want to go to from the options below based on municipality or wellbeing services county. When you book an appointment, make sure that clinic you have chosen is participating in the pilot study.

You can get treatment at the price of the local user fee charged by public healthcare providers only if the private general practitioner or clinic you have chosen is participating in the freedom of choice pilot and has signed an agreement with Kela.

Remember to bring your Kela card or ID card

Show your Kela card or ID card at the clinic. The clinic will charge you for the appointment and any examinations or tests ordered by your doctor. The fees you have to pay at the clinic will not exceed the rates that apply during the freedom of choice pilot. This means that you do not need to apply for any reimbursements for the costs of treatment, examinations or tests afterwards.

Reimbursement of travel costs

You can get reimbursement from Kela for the costs of your trips to a private clinic. To qualify for reimbursement, each trip must be made due to an illness for which you have been given treatment that is reimbursable by Kela.