Kela proposes a personal doctor/personal nurse model as basis for reimbursement system
Kela views positively the new model for Kela reimbursements proposed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which the Ministry recently circulated for comments. However, Kela would like to see the proposed model developed further towards a designated personal doctor/personal nurse arrangement, which would ensure the continuity of care without significant additional cost.
The proposal for a new model for Kela reimbursements was recently circulated among the key parties for comments. Kela takes a largely positive view of the proposal, because it supports the provision of primary health services and improves access to general practitioners. With no limits on the number of GP consultations, the model also promotes the continuity of care.
Drafting of a new model for Kela reimbursements will continue during the current Government term.
“The reimbursements that Kela pays for treatment costs could be based on an arrangement that would put the focus on the continuity of the doctor-patient relationship”, says Outi Antila, Kela’s Director General. She adds that a personal nurse and possibly other members of a multiprofessional team could provide additional support.
Strong evidence for the benefits of continuity in the doctor-patient relationship
There is strong evidence in research for the benefits of a continuous doctor-patient relationship. When patients receive care from a dedicated GP, the quality of care is improved, there is a significant decline in mortality and morbidity, the overall demand for and costs of health services are reduced, and patient satisfaction goes up.
Adoption of a personal doctor/personal nurse model for Kela reimbursements, implemented as part of the cooperation with the wellbeing services counties, would ensure the continuity of care without significant additional cost. Residents of wellbeing services counties would also be able to choose a GP specialist/personal nurse pair from the private sector.
According to experts at Kela, a personal doctor/personal nurse model would create more equity in health services and be a cost-efficient way to reduce wait-times for treatment. Such a model would free up resources in the public healthcare system that could be allocated to those with the greatest need for services and multiprofessional help.
“I hope that a new reimbursement model can be created in close cooperation with the wellbeing services counties and the relevant organisations", Antila says.
Read more
Kela’s statement at lausuntopalvelu.fi (in Finnish)
Research blog: New model for Kela reimbursements focuses on continuity of care – could be based on a personal doctor/personal nurse arrangement (in Finnish)
Keywords
Contacts
Reija JääskeläinenHead of Centre of ExpertiseKela
Tel:020 634 3229firstname.lastname@kela.fiKela's Communications UnitFor media enquiries, please contact us between 9:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday. This number can be used for interview requests, which we will be happy to forward to an appropriate source at Kela. You can also submit interview requests by email.
Tel:+358 20 634 7745viestinta@kela.fiKela has a responsibility to provide basic support in life’s ups and downs to everyone covered by the Finnish social security system.
Alternative languages
Subscribe to releases from Kela/FPA
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Kela/FPA by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Kela/FPA
Kelan Kajaanin ja Suomussalmen palvelupisteiden aukioloajat muuttuvat26.9.2024 09:37:00 EEST | Tiedote
Aukioloaika muuttuu Kajaanin ja Suomussalmen palvelupisteissä 30.9. alkaen. Kajaanin palvelupiste on avoinna ti–to klo 12–16. Suomussalmen palvelupiste on avoinna ke klo 10–12. Lähes kaikki Kela-asiat voi hoitaa myös verkossa tai puhelimessa.
Kelan Kuusamon ja Ylivieskan palvelupisteiden aukioloajat muuttuvat26.9.2024 09:37:00 EEST | Tiedote
Aukioloaika muuttuu Kuusamon ja Ylivieskan palvelupisteissä 30.9. alkaen. Kuusamon palvelupiste on jatkossa avoinna ma klo 9–12. Ylivieskan palvelupiste on avoinna ke ja pe klo 12–16. Lähes kaikki Kela-asiat voi hoitaa myös verkossa tai puhelimessa.
Kelan Myyrmäen palvelupisteen aukioloaika muuttuu26.9.2024 09:36:00 EEST | Tiedote
Kelan palvelupiste Vantaan Myyrmäessä on jatkossa avoinna ma–ti ja to–pe klo 12–15 sekä keskiviikkoisin ajanvarauksella. Palvelupisteellä voi asioida myös omatoimisesti. Lähes kaikki Kela-asiat voi hoitaa myös verkossa tai puhelimessa.
Kelan Kemijärven ja Rovaniemen palvelupisteiden aukioloajat muuttuvat26.9.2024 09:36:00 EEST | Tiedote
Aukioloaika muuttuu Kemijärven ja Rovaniemen palvelupisteissä 30.9. alkaen. Kemijärven palvelupiste on avoinna ti klo 9–12. Rovaniemen palvelupiste on avoinna ti–to klo 12–16. Lähes kaikki Kela-asiat voi hoitaa myös verkossa tai puhelimessa.
Kelan Leppävaaran palvelupisteen aukioloaika muuttuu25.9.2024 10:00:00 EEST | Tiedote
Aukioloaika muuttuu Kelan palvelupisteessä Espoon Leppävaarassa 1.10. alkaen. Infopiste on jatkossa avoinna ti–pe klo 9–12. Palvelupisteellä voi asioida omatoimisesti ma–pe klo 9–16. Lähes kaikki Kela-asiat voi hoitaa myös verkossa tai puhelimessa.
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom