Repayment rises for COVID vaccinations by occupational healthcare

The amount of reimbursement will be raised from the current EUR 10 to EUR 16, said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in a press release on Friday.

The temporary provision will enter into force on 10 January and it will remain in force until 30 June.

The government submitted the bill amending the Health Insurance Act for approval and the President and the President approved the bill on Friday.

The higher reimbursement amount will apply to COVID-19 vaccinations carried out on or after 1 January 2022.

The legislative amendment will secure and facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccination for people covered by health insurance and give employers better opportunities to provide COVID-19 vaccination through occupational healthcare.

Municipalities are responsible for COVID-19 vaccinations. They must, however, determine whether occupational healthcare service providers that operate in their areas can participate in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, if this is necessary to ensure the provision of vaccinations without delays.

The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela, can continue to reimburse COVID-19 vaccinations administered by occupational healthcare either as occupational healthcare costs or as medical expenses.

The reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccinations may be paid directly to private occupational healthcare service providers while employers are liable for paying a deductible for vaccinations.