omakustanteinen

Omakustanteinen is a Finnish term that means “at one’s own expense” or “self-funded.” It is used to describe services, treatments, investigations, or other arrangements in which the patient bears the full or primary cost, rather than costs being covered by public health insurance, social insurance such as Kela, or an employer- or provider-provided reimbursement.

In everyday use, omakustanteinen refers to care or services that are not reimbursed or only partially reimbursed by public or statutory schemes. This often applies in private healthcare, private dental care, elective procedures, or additional diagnostic tests that are not part of standard reimbursement. The term may also be used in research or study participation when participants pay for extra tests or services beyond what is provided by the research sponsor.

Practical implications include the need for the patient to obtain a price quote in advance, because out-of-pocket costs can vary widely between providers. Some services offered as omakustanteinen may be partially covered by private health insurance or employer benefits, but such coverage is not guaranteed and depends on the individual policy. In some cases, patients may be able to deduct medical expenses from taxes, depending on tax regulations and circumstances.

Omakustanteinen thus signals a cost borne by the patient rather than by public or reimbursing entities. It is best used to describe the payment arrangement rather than the quality or necessity of the service. See also co-payment and private healthcare.