terveyskortti

Terveyskortti is a Finnish term meaning a health card. In Finland, the concept refers to a plastic card used to identify a person within the health and social security system and to verify entitlement to benefits when receiving care or medicines.

The most common form of the Finnish health card is the Kela-kortti, issued by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela). The card is presented when using public health services, visiting a healthcare professional, or purchasing medicines with reimbursement. It serves mainly to confirm the holder’s identity and their eligibility for benefits, not to store medical records.

A health card is not a medical record. It does not contain the patient’s medical information; rather, it links the patient to their electronic records held in national or local systems, such as the Kanta services, where health data and treatment history are stored securely. Healthcare providers may use the card to access appropriate information and apply reimbursement rules to the patient’s charges.

Who can obtain a terveyskortti? In practice, residents of Finland receive a Kela-kortti based on their eligibility for social security benefits. The card is typically issued automatically through Kela and can be requested or reissued if lost or outdated. It is valid across Finland and can be used in conjunction with online services and patient portals.

See also: Kela-kortti, Kanta services, personal identity code, European Health Insurance Card.