Appointments with a private general practitioner for persons aged 65 or over
On this page
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.
The pilot study begins on 1 September 2025
If you are 65 or older, you can see a private general practitioner from 1 September onwards at the price of the local user fee charged by public healthcare providers. Our search tool for private clinics and general practitioners that participate in the pilot study will become available on 1 September.
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 pilot study, 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 pilot study.
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.
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 pilot study. 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. We will publish maximum prices for various doctor’s appointments, examinations and tests at a later date.
You do not have to pay any separate service fees, administrative fees or other costs.
During the pilot study, 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.
Example 1 of examinations and tests
The doctor orders a laboratory test for Anna. Its maximum price is EUR 12. The clinic also charges a laboratory fee of up to EUR 30. Anna pays EUR 21. This is half of the total costs.
Example 2 of examinations and tests
The doctor orders a lung X-ray for Matti. Its maximum price is EUR 97. The clinic does not charge a separate imaging fee for the X-ray. Matti pays EUR 48.50. This is half of the total costs.
Search for private clinics and general practitioners
Our search tool for private clinics and general practitioners that participate in the pilot study will become available on 1 September.
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 pilot study 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 pilot study. 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.
Would you like to participate in the pilot study as a service provider?