Equal student healthcare services

FSHS » FSHS 2021 » Equal student healthcare services

For all students in higher education

From 1 January 2021 onwards, all degree students in higher education will be entitled to use FSHS services, as long as they have registered as an attending student for a particular term and paid the healthcare fee to KELA.

Who are entitled to use FSHS services?

University students (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree),
Students at universities of applied sciences (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree)
Police University College students (Bachelor’s degree), and
Civilian students at the National Defence University.

Who are not entitled to use FSHS services?

international exchange students
students at open colleges
postgraduate students (e.g. students studying for a PhD)

FSHS student healthcare services do not cover incoming exchange students, open university students, continuing education and postgraduate students, or commissioned education students.

Student healthcare services from A to Z

Does the FSHS provide tooth whitening? How about hearing assessments? What exactly is provided by the FSHS?

The FSHS services are set out in the Act on healthcare for students in higher education and in the Guide on Student Healthcare published by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The guide specifies, among other things, the content of health and medical services.

The FSHS responsibility areas are:

to provide students with health and medical care services
to promote students’ health and ability to study, and
to promote the well-being of the study environment and student community.

The FSHS services are provided nationwide in a uniform manner. In other words, you can access the same high-quality services irrespective of your place of study in Finland.

The tables below summarise which services are and are not provided by student healthcare. These tables contain basic information about FSHS services. You can find more information about them on the FSHS website, in the section “Services”. The website describes current services; the information will be updated on 1 January 2021.

Services provided by student healthcare

Modes of operation	Key services
1. Study environment and study community activities	Regular collaboration with interest groups, particularly with educational institutions and student associations Expert services Health-promoting communications Study environment inspections every 3 years and yearly monitoring
2. Healthcare services Individual monitoring and promotion of health and welfare and ability to study	Individual and group-based health guidance Periodic health check-ups: 1) public health nurse and general practitioner, 2) oral health examination and treatment plan Preventive oral health measures Prevention of infectious diseases: health check-ups, vaccinations (national vaccination programme) Family planning Study-related health examinations, certificates and statements required by the Infectious Diseases Act and other legislation Travel health advice, including student exchange (students purchase the required vaccines themselves, although they can be given as part of student healthcare) Basic psychological examinations
3. Medical care services Primary medical care and oral health services	Assessing the need for treatment Non-urgent treatment, including treatment to be given within 1 to 7 days Treatment requiring a medical specialist (psychiatrist, dermatologist) or dental specialist if the patient does not qualify for specialized care Laboratory and imaging services in primary care related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases Physiotherapy Nutritional therapy Speech therapy specific to field of study (initial investigation of voice disorders for those studying for a profession requiring verbal communication)

Services not provided by student healthcare

Emergency clinic services, i.e. urgent medical care as stated in section 50 of the Health Care Act

Special examinations related to the diagnosis of diseases

Treatment needs must be identified and the patient referred for further examinations and treatment
E.g. ENMG, Holter test, stress ergometry, polysomnography, endoscopic examinations via body orifices, MRI, CT (excluding oral health)

Follow-up visits and examinations requested by specialized care for patients with chronic conditions in cases where responsibility for the patient’s treatment lies with specialized care

E.g. epilepsy, rheumatoid conditions, long-term monitoring of cancer, psychotic disorders

Equipment needed for treatment of chronic conditions (as stated in section 24 of the Health Care Act)

Medical rehabilitation and assistive device services (as stated in section 29 of the Health Care Act)

Certificates not related to treatment or studies

E.g. certificates for driver’s licences, medical certificates required for firearm licences, certificates for student exchange

Laboratory and imaging examinations not related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or duties required by law

E.g. examinations for those about to start a student exchange, and work placement-related examinations not required by law (such as salmonella certificate for work not covered by section 56 of the Infectious Diseases Act)

Coordinating individual and community psychosocial support in acute traumatic situations

Rehabilitation services in conditions caused by intoxicants

Withdrawal therapy and substitution therapy among opioid-dependent patients

Maternity clinic services

Maternity clinic services should be arranged in the student’s study town. Municipalities can be invoiced for these services.

Any questions? Check if you can find an answer on our Q&A page, where you can also send us your own question.

Facts

The new law on the health care for students in higher education enters into force on the 1st of January 2021.
Services provided by the FSHS are encompassed by 270 000 students.
The services, which are included in student health care, are defined by law and by the Guide on Student Health Care.
The services are equal everywhere in Finland.