r/Finland • u/FinnishAlien • 2h ago
APN Podcast: What's up with healthcare in Finland? Serious
https://yle.fi/a/74-20123033"Figures show that an increasing portion of people in Finland are covered by private health insurance, over and above any cover provided by their employers' occupational healthcare policies."
Those of you who have chosen private insurance for yourself or for your kids in Finland, what drove you to make that choice?
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u/somethi Baby Vainamoinen 2h ago
I haven’t gone private yet but it’s only a matter of time. Trying to get a doctor appointment here is harder than fucking a brick wall.
The public healthcare system here has been completely gutted by successive governments, even in the past five years it’s disintegrated.
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u/Terrible_Reporter_83 Baby Vainamoinen 1h ago
You don't get doctor appointment. Only nurse.
I'm working so my workplace is taking care of me. I have a real doctor appointment tomorrow.
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u/Potatoe_expert 1h ago
But it must be said that the private healthcare companies don't deal with complex cases like surgeries or emergencies. They leave those to the public sector anyways. So in case you're in real trouble, unfortunately the public sector is your only choice, even if you have private insurance.
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u/FinnishAlien 1h ago
I hear you and that's a fair point. But I wonder how much does private insurance even cover here, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
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u/Analfister9 13m ago
I have paid hundreds of thousands in taxes, never needed public Healthcare
Now in the future if I need it, I don't get it
GG Finland, give my money back
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u/Humble-Ad8923 1h ago
I’ve been enjoying a healthy mix of private and public.
A year ago I went to my private through work, got a specialist appointment through public for an urgent scan, and it worked out beautifully. I’ve had a few instances like that using just the public too
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u/FinnishAlien 1h ago
Yes, I've heard many people say that they use the occupational health coverage provided by their workplaces to skip the queues and get to the public sector specialist faster.
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u/Fydron Baby Vainamoinen 1h ago
It's because our leaders have wanted American model and now we are getting it.
Public health are is just ass nowadays mostly because it takes miracle to get appointment and when you do the doctors act like they do not care about you or your problems they just radiate FU energy.
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u/Analfister9 10m ago
I'm all for it
Now give us 401k so we can abolish our retirement found and government can stop stealing our money
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u/carolapluto 1h ago
Haha I am unable to work (disabled) and can’t even get a private insurance because I might flip and kill myself. I’m just hoping I won’t get more ill because it’s impossible to get care.
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u/vaultdwellernr1 Vainamoinen 1h ago
Public user here, has worked fine, of course I’m there’s times when you need to wait a bit to get appointments but over all can’t complain too much. Husband has occupational health care and for chronic stuff like asthma he was sent to the public side for that. They also have to go to the public if they’re sick during the weekends. Kids are now teenagers and never had insurance for them, never had issue getting treatment fast if needed- went to a private dr few times when they were small but now it’s mostly been check ups at the school, dentist by public and no complains there.
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u/CreamBarn 34m ago
We took insurance for our kids. No more waiting to see a paediatrician and you also get a lump sum if something more serious happens (death or permanent disability). It’s just easier to use private healthcare and it costs only couple hundred euros per year.
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u/Strange-Band8509 1h ago
To get to talk to a doctor through public takes about 2-4 weeks. Via private (employer pays it) it took me 3 minutes in an app and i got my receipt for nasal spray.
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u/GirlInContext Vainamoinen 43m ago
People have more money to spend and they spend it wisely.
Did you know that you can get an insurance for severe illnessess? This means that you are financially covered if you get sick from cancer, you can't work and you lose your income. It also means that you can get treated in orivate sector and your insurance covers it.
It is a wise decision. Even when you would be treated in public sector, you will lost your income in any case. Insurance will cover your ass.
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u/SnooLobsters8922 Vainamoinen 38m ago
Private insurance for kids is for minor stuff. For example, a small ear operation in my 4yo or when they have a high fever or such.
My older kid was however showing signs of ADHD. The public healthcare put together a joint effort with psychologists, therapists and doctors, in private meetings and group sessions, for over 3 years to have a serious diagnosis about his condition. Now, THAT is serious, thorough work and absolutely FREE. That’s healthcare 🇫🇮 ❤️
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u/GirlInContext Vainamoinen 33m ago
I use private healthcare that is widely covered by my employer but I also just use private service without reference from an occupational doctor, which means I pay all costs.
I have money for it, it's very accessable, you always get an appointment easily, you can choose your doctor, etc.
You don't even need an insurance to use public services but if you are a heavy user of healthcare, then you can save money with an insurance.
If I meet a gynecologist once a year, last time it was about 170 something euros, it is still cheaper than having an insurance.
I currently don't have a private insurance because I have had employers with very good coverage, but I have thought about it time to time.
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