Lääkevakuutetaan

Lääkevakuutetaan is a Finnish term that translates to "medication is insured" or "prescription drugs are covered by insurance." It refers to a system where the costs of certain prescription medications are partially or fully reimbursed by a public or private insurance scheme. In Finland, this coverage is primarily handled through the national health insurance system, administered by Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland).

The extent of coverage can vary depending on the medication. Generally, essential and commonly prescribed drugs are eligible for reimbursement. Kela's system aims to make necessary medicines affordable for everyone. Patients typically pay a portion of the drug's cost, known as the co-payment, with the insurance covering the remainder. There are often annual spending caps for individuals, after which medication costs may be reimbursed at a higher rate or even fully.

To receive reimbursement, a prescription must be issued by a Finnish healthcare professional, and the medication must be purchased from a licensed pharmacy in Finland. The pharmacy then automatically applies the eligible reimbursement at the point of sale. The system is designed to ensure access to necessary treatments without imposing excessive financial burdens on individuals. Certain conditions or diseases might also have specific reimbursement rules or higher coverage rates for particular medications.