Finland proposes expanding healthcare choice pilot for over-65s with €40 million cost

The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has proposed expanding and extending a pilot programme allowing people over 65 to choose between public and private healthcare providers, Finnish news agency STT reports. The extension would add new services and prolong the trial until the end of 2028, at an estimated additional cost of €40 million.

A draft proposal, presented to the government’s sustainable welfare society ministerial working group on Thursday, suggests increasing public spending by around €15 million in 2027. Continuing the pilot into 2028 would raise total costs by approximately €40 million. The government will decide on the proposal during next week’s budget framework negotiations.

The current trial, administered by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), allows participants to use a personal budget for private healthcare services. Reports indicate strong uptake, with older Finns frequently using private doctors as part of the scheme.

Previous evaluations found the pilot had not reduced income-based disparities in access to private healthcare.