MISSOC Archives 2003

Health care Table IIPortugal Switzerland Finland Sweden United KingdomFree choice of general practitioner/specialist working either in healthcentres or under agreement.Free choice. The insurer pays thecosts up to the tariff applicable in theplace of residence or work of the insuredperson or in the surroundingarea (except in emergencies or formedical reasons).The insurer may offer the insuredperson a form of insurance involvinga limited choice (primary care physician,HMO) in return for a reductionin the premium.Public hospital and health centre:Only limited possibility of choice.Private doctor:Free choice.Free choice of doctors in the publichealth and private practitioners affiliatedto a county council (landsting).Free choice by patient (or parent/guardian),subject to acceptanceby doctor. If a patient cannot find adoctor willing to accept them, thePrimary Care Trust will assign a patientto a doctor's list.Benefits1. Medical treatment:• Choice of doctorFree choice of general practitioner/specialist working either in healthcentres or under agreement.Free choice. See above "choice ofdoctor".Referral from general practitioner required.Direct access is possible, but referralvia the general practitioner is preferred.Through the family doctor. There isno direct access to specialists.• Access to specialistsNo fees to be paid (National HealthService).Unless otherwise agreed, paymentby the insured person and reimbursementby the insurer: "third partyguarantee" system.Public hospital and health centre:Doctors are employed by the municipality.Private doctor:The patient pays the doctor directlyin full.The patient pays a part of the costhimself. The doctor, if a private practitioner,is paid the rest from thecounty councils (landsting).No fees for services provided by NationalHealth Service are payable bythe patient.• Payment of doctor127