A broad range of health care services
If you need medical care, you can either visit a municipal health station or go to a private clinic.
All residents of Helsinki are entitled to municipal health care at local health stations, which are dispersed around the city. Residents are cared for at the nearest health station.
Helsinki health stations are broadly equipped to treat and examine patients. In addition to basic health services, the health stations are capable of specialized care and, when necessary, they refer customers to further examinations and treatment at specialized units and hospitals.
Fees for municipal health care services vary. One visit to a health station costs the same irrespective of the care given, including a practitioner’s services and laboratory tests. Fees for other services vary. No charges are levied on patients under 18 years of age.
Emergency services are available for citizens of other EU countries on the same terms as for Finns.
Dental care is also available within the municipal health care system, either at City dental clinics or at private clinics on the same basis as at City clinics.
School-aged children and young people are cared for by public health nurses and physicians assigned to specific schools, and pupils’ dental care is handled at City dental clinics. The City is also responsible for health care services for students beyond comprehensive school.
Expectant mothers are examined at maternity clinics at regular intervals, and child health clinics care for children until they enter school.
In addition to municipal services, a wide range of private medical services are available in Helsinki.
All permanent residents of Finland are covered by the National Health Insurance. Some of the expenses that the insurance covers are a percentage of the following: private practitioners’ fees; costs for examinations and treatments prescribed by a private practitioner; fees of private dentists; medication costs; and illness-related transportation costs.
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