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[African Girl]

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[DMC]

I think I view a couple of things differently to you, so maybe I reach different conclusions.

Obviously Finland provides public health care for everyone with a Kela card which is financed by the government through tax payments. I think there are definitely advantages and disadvantages to this.

Disadvantages can include ... not building a patient-relationship with a doctor

I don't agree that public health care prevents building a patient-relationship with a doctor. I agree that this doesn't seem to happen in Finland, but it does in the UK, which has a similar public health system. So if it were deemed desirable to have such relationships this could be done without changing the basic system for financing the health service.

Would you rather pay for private health insurance "American-style" where it costs you an arm and a leg, however you can make appointments for a day & time that suits you, have the same/family doctor, and the doctors and nurses are probably more motivated to serve you ("their salary depends on you")?

No, I wouldn't want an American-style system, but again I don't see that as the only alternative. The existing private system in Finland gives you much of those benefits and a far lower cost than I believe is the case in the USA. Certainly I have found the private system here to be effective and not overly expensive (for routine stuff at least).

Overall I think the system is very impressive, but I do see signs that it is deteriorating. Reduced A&E facilities and reduced ambulance cover for example. Or try making a dental appointment.

[Honest]

American system? No thanks. Most of the systems devised in the USA are made for the people who have money. But there is no country in the world which doesn't have a large number of poors as well.

And in Finland you can live as you want. If you want to live in American style, go and buy a private health insurance. But if you don't want to buy insurance or if you can't afford to buy then at least there is an alternative, you'll not rot and die at home without any treatment. It's far from perfect but it's a great privilege to have it.

[harryc]

I don't understand the basis of the question --

On the one hand the OP says there are constraints on the health system - waiting time etc.

On the other hand they set up the American system as a straw man - where the insurance premiums are sky high as are the treatments.

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This is not only comparing apples with oranges - but ostriches with crocodiles.

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In Finland we have a National Health Service system which we can improve if we want - to solve its weaknesses - we need national resolve - or for those with the resources - €,

In the US - you just simply need $$$$$$$$$!

This entire Health System discussion should be had - but PLEASE - with some logical underpinnings!

[Upphew]

Most of the complaints that I have heard seem to be a) too long waiting times b) too little personal touch or c) wrong diagnose/not the diagnose patient wanted.

But to answer the question in topic: pretty happy. Granted, I don't have experience in other countries, nor not much personal experience.

[foca]

One interesting thing about finnish private insurance system - it is one time thing . Basically there is a limit set by the insuarence company, let us say 40 Grand , if you have something serious - cancer , for exemple- they will pay for the treatments within the limit, but afterwards they will never give you a private medical insurance. They will say that since you have a chronic disease , you are uninsurable.

[Upphew]

One interesting thing about finnish private insurance system - it is one time thing . Basically there is a limit set by the insuarence company, let us say 40 Grand , if you have something serious - cancer , for exemple- they will pay for the treatments within the limit, but afterwards they will never give you a private medical insurance. They will say that since you have a chronic decease you are uninsurable.

They will pay anyway, even if you don't need the money for the treatments. Or at least that happened to one of my relatives who had cancer.

[foca]

Yes they pay , but only within the limit. Usually a one time invalidity payment is also includet (around 5-6 thousands). But if your bill with private clinics go over the limit - you pay the difference yourself

[Upphew]

Yes they pay , but only within the limit. Usually a one time invalidity payment is also includet (around 5-6 thousands). But if your bill with private clinics go over the limit - you pay the difference yourself

I meant that the cancer patient wasn't using anything private and got the lump sum after the diagnose. Basically the insurance company said: "Cancer? Here is 40k€, go away. Btw your insurance is revoked and you won't get a new one."

[Pursuivant]

You can go "private" even now and see a doctor in an hour if you have the money (or company uses private clinic). If you need a heart bypass, you can wait 6 months in queue or cough up 15K and the same surgeon in the same operating thestre will do it in 6 days as a "private patient"...

So I don't understand the question either. It seems you don't quite "know" the whole system - its not either/or, its a combination.

[llewellyn]

Well, health centres at some places are not as good as they used to be. The specialist care is pretty much as high quality as in the private system (they are mostly the same persons anyway), but you might have to wait for your "lähete" to a specialist. It could be better, but we get lots of good things done rather cheaply whereas in the US the national health costs are insane, and, simultaneously, you might not even now get the care you need, even with this "evil" "socialist" Obamacare (a system once proposed by the republicans).

[harryc]

even with this "evil" "socialist" Obamacare (a system once proposed by the republicans

Obamacare is far from the Single Payer system - it might have even better for it to not even exist as it now is set up as the Boogie Man of Socialist Medicine - and instead is once again a boondoggle for the insurance companies, drug conglomerates, etc. The reason: the ridiculously inflated price system of medical costs has been pretty much left untouched.

For Finland we should continue to work for a competent, efficient and fair system. It's pretty good - but can of course be a lot better - and let's work on it!

[foca]

Yes they pay , but only within the limit. Usually a one time invalidity payment is also includet (around 5-6 thousands). But if your bill with private clinics go over the limit - you pay the difference yourself

I meant that the cancer patient wasn't using anything private and got the lump sum after the diagnose. Basically the insurance company said: "Cancer? Here is 40k€, go away. Btw your insurance is revoked and you won't get a new one."

In other words one has to choose between the uncertainty of public healthcare and ones health.... I know one case when a woman with a breast tumor was told by public health care system to wait for it to grow so they would operate in 3-4 months.

[Upphew]

Yes they pay , but only within the limit. Usually a one time invalidity payment is also includet (around 5-6 thousands). But if your bill with private clinics go over the limit - you pay the difference yourself

I meant that the cancer patient wasn't using anything private and got the lump sum after the diagnose. Basically the insurance company said: "Cancer? Here is 40k€, go away. Btw your insurance is revoked and you won't get a new one."

In other words one has to choose between the uncertainty of public healthcare and ones health.... I know one case when a woman with a breast tumor was told by public health care system to wait for it to grow so they would operate in 3-4 months.

Ummm, no? The person in question was already treated in public side. Nothing to choose, everything was going as well as things can go when you get to know that you have cancer.

[justaguy]

I went to see a private doctor from Mehiläinen just a few hours ago for the first time ever. I am never sick but I wanted an answer to some of my concerns as soon as possible before I go on a trip.
I booked the time on their website, and went to the consultation an hour or so later. It was kinda straightforward except that their automatic sign in service was not working. The clerk didn't have a proper excuse when I went to check in with her.
I went to see a GP. He was nice, a little quiet and he told me that I practically already knew my diagnosis and could have saved myself the trip. Though I was concerned that I may have had some other issues and it was nice to hear otherwise.
I was prescribed some medicine, and given a note to give a sample at the laboratory tomorrow. (Which I could not have done myself, so I feel my trip was still justified)

The cost of the consultation was €74 or so to see the GP. Plus about €15 for an 'office charge' not really sure what that was as nothing was really itemised.
In any case the total cost of going to the doctor was €89.
Then the medicine from prescription was €11. I was told by one of the lovely ladies at Yliopiston Apteeki that I should throw that prescription away as it's actually cheaper to get the medicine without it.
So total cost inc. the medicine was about €100

Also I have to give a sample tomorrow and apparently that isn't free either haha. No idea what that costs yet but hopefully it isn't more than €20. Surely not :'D

Overall, I'd say the doctor I spoke to handled things quite well. He seemed to know what my issues were and he had the same suggestions that I had already sort of come to terms with myself.
At first I was a little sad he didn't shake my hand, but then I kind of realised that it's not really something to do at the docs. I'm just so used to doing that everywhere else.

Funnily not even 10 seconds ago I got an SMS from Mehiläinen asking me to rate their service from 0-10
I gave them a 10 as I can't really see any 'real' reason as to why I should have given them less.

A few things I guess is that they could make it a little more 'obvious' how the process of payment and such goes. I wasn't told by the doc that one of the papers he gave me was actually my bill.
So when I went to cashier to pay for it she was a little confused.

Also don't forget your Kela card. I'm pretty sure that with it, €90 is pretty much entry level cost. I have no idea what it would be without it.
Not bad if you can afford it. At least I got my answers within an hour and I got to choose the doctor that I wanted to see. He specialised in 3/4 things I wanted to talk about.

All in all I would/will go again but I may check around for over-the-counter meds before paying $100 to have a doc just confirm my thoughts.
Now all I need to do is produce 2 children of my own who end up being doctors so I can save myself some money in the future and set my kids up for life. HAH!