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 |
|
2. Healthcare services Individual monitoring and promotion of health and welfare and ability to study |
|
3. Medical care services Primary medical care and oral health services |
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
Laboratory and imaging examinations not related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or duties required by law
|
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
|
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.