Government proposes amendments to Act on Student Healthcare for Higher Education Students
The Government proposes amendments to the Act on Student Healthcare for Higher Education Students and the Act on the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The Student Healthcare Act would be harmonised with the relevant EU Regulation in respect of reimbursements regarding students from certain European countries, and the provisions of the Act on the financial process would be specified.
The Government also proposes that the due dates for the healthcare fee charged from higher education students be changed so that the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) could, in good time before the due date, send information about the payment obligation to those students who have registered for attendance. Until now, higher education students have not been personally informed of their obligation to pay the healthcare fee, because Kela has not, before the due date, received information about students who have registered for attendance at a higher education institution.
Costs arising from healthcare services for students coming from certain European countries
The Government proposes that Finland collect the actual costs of student healthcare for degree students coming from other EU or EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Norther Ireland, i.e. around EUR 1.4 million a year, from the state that is responsible for the costs of medical care received by the student. In accordance with the EU Regulation, students who are insured in another EU country cannot be charged the healthcare fee laid down in the Act on Student Healthcare. In future, the Finnish Student Health Service would claim reimbursement from Kela for the actual costs of student healthcare for EU degree students in accordance with the Act on Cross-Border Health Care.
The proposal would also clarify the concepts, procedures and time limits that are related to financing under the Student Healthcare Act, as well as the obligations and responsibilities of different parties, and specify section 12d of the Act on the Social Insurance Institution of Finland.
The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 9 October. The proposed acts are scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2024.
Inquiries:
Arja Ruponen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 169, [email protected]
Titta Honkala, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 457, [email protected]