about kela card.......?

[avin.astex]

hi,
i am a foreigner......working here since dec. 2007.
i have a kela card.
how can i use my kela card ?
how can in get all benefits of kela card.
can any body give me some information about kela ?
thanks in advance !

[Rosamunda]

Some ideas on here:

http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf

[avin.astex]

Some ideas on here:

http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf

thanks a lot !

[interleukin]

In most cases you do not need the card itself, it is just a way to prove that you are included in the KELA system. Most places can see already in the computers that you are in KELA, so you do not need to show the card itself.
So probably you have been getting the benefits of being in the KELA system without actually using the card.

[Oombongo]

You may need card when you visit doctor for example. It is not required per se but it makes their lives a bit easier to find you in the system.
Also get Finnish ID if you shop more than 50€. (not needed on those places where you need to punch your PIN number)

[avin.astex]

You may need card when you visit doctor for example. It is not required per se but it makes their lives a bit easier to find you in the system.
Also get Finnish ID if you shop more than 50€. (not needed on those places where you need to punch your PIN number)

dear sir !
you suggested me to get Finnsh id ........what kind of id and PIN number ?
can you explain about it please ?
thanks,

[Pursuivant]

ID card you get from the police. Means when you pay with a card these days you punch in the code if its over 50 they ask for ID and its always a hassle. But a Finnish driving licence double for ID so if you have a dl then no troubles big bubbles

[raamv]

Kela card in mainly needed for getting the government mandates discounts for prescriptions in pharmacies.
Pursuivant is telling that you can also apply for a KELA card with a Photo ID that can be "officialy" used as an ID card.
Doctor's visits ( not tied to your workplace ) will need a KELA card!!
and of course, a visit to KELA office will make it more easier for them to answer your concerns ( if they want to and could ) when you get a KELA card..
and not to mention Emergency visits to hospital..

[avin.astex]

Kela card in mainly needed for getting the government mandates discounts for prescriptions in pharmacies.
Pursuivant is telling that you can also apply for a KELA card with a Photo ID that can be "officialy" used as an ID card.
Doctor's visits ( not tied to your workplace ) will need a KELA card!!
and of course, a visit to KELA office will make it more easier for them to answer your concerns ( if they want to and could ) when you get a KELA card..
and not to mention Emergency visits to hospital..

[Rip]

Kela card with photo has been discontinued. Old ones are still in use but they have not given new ones since late last year. The plastic Kela card is, as far as I know, really needed only in pharmacies. Officially you should have one when you visit a hospital or health care center, but I think in those they always check your status from computers anyway. The plastic card itself is of rather little importance, the related decision shown in KELA database that you are entitled to Finnish social security means that you can use public health care without going bankrupt and you're entitled to the benefits shown on KELA web page in cases of unemployment, sickness, new baby etc.

As noted by others (and as you may have noticed yourself) having some Finnish issued photo ID document showing your Finnish personal ID code (ddmmyy-123X kind of code where ddmmyy is your birthdate, printed for eaxample on your KELA card) is useful. If you don't have a driving license (which most people would use) you can also get an ID card from police (price I think was 40€).

[avin.astex]

Kela card with photo has been discontinued. Old ones are still in use but they have not given new ones since late last year. The plastic Kela card is, as far as I know, really needed only in pharmacies. Officially you should have one when you visit a hospital or health care center, but I think in those they always check your status from computers anyway. The plastic card itself is of rather little importance, the related decision shown in KELA database that you are entitled to Finnish social security means that you can use public health care without going bankrupt and you're entitled to the benefits shown on KELA web page in cases of unemployment, sickness, new baby etc.

As noted by others (and as you may have noticed yourself) having some Finnish issued photo ID document showing your Finnish personal ID code (ddmmyy-123X kind of code where ddmmyy is your birthdate, printed for eaxample on your KELA card) is useful. If you don't have a driving license (which most people would use) you can also get an ID card from police (price I think was 40€).

thank you very much for these information !

[inkku]

Kela card with photo has been discontinued. Old ones are still in use but they have not given new ones since late last year. The plastic Kela card is, as far as I know, really needed only in pharmacies. Officially you should have one when you visit a hospital or health care center, but I think in those they always check your status from computers anyway.

If you go to see a private doctor (dentist, ophthalmologist etc), Kela subsidises a part of it. If you have the card with you, in many clinics you can get the "discount" immediately, otherwise you have to pay the full amount and apply it separately.

[tizlit]

Pursuivant and Taamv are absolutely correct. Perhaps you should visit KELA offices yourself and ask them to explain fully.
ANd for yr info : ID cards with photo ARE STILL ISSUED, i have received one very recently, so you can use it instead of the normal ID card (normal ID card costs 48 E when you apply for it and it takes ages to receive it).
Of course driving licence is sufficient enough proof of identity.

[Pursuivant]

Yes but a KELA card is not valid as ID as it isn't issued by the police. Someone can take it, but in banks for example it isn't VALID.