FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS- FAQ
On this page, you will find frequently asked questions and their answers.
We are always happy to assist you with any questions or issues. You can reach us at our office during opening hours, by phone at 050 379 8203, or by email at waasawartsilan.sairauskassa@kela.fi
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HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER? HOW DOES MEMBERSHIP WORK?
You can become a member if you belong to our operational scope, your employment is permanent (or a long-term fixed-term contract), and your employment has lasted less than 6 months. The membership application form can be found on our homepage or collected from our office. Drop the application in our mailbox or bring it to the office during opening hours.
The membership fee is 1.4% of your gross salary and is automatically deducted in connection with payroll (excluding employees of Posti Group Oyj).
We act as our members’ KELA office. In addition, we provide supplementary benefits in accordance with the fund’s rules, including dental and eyeglass benefits. We have entered into direct billing agreements with numerous medical centers and pharmacies to make everyday life easier for our members.
If you have any questions about joining or membership matters, you are warmly welcome to visit our office. You can also reach us by phone at 050 379 8203.
HOW OFTEN CAN I RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR EYEGLASSES AND DENTAL CARE? HOW CAN I CHECK THE REMAINING BALANCE?
The eyeglass and dental benefits are available after one year of membership. We reimburse €450 every two years. The monitoring period always begins from the date of purchase. For example, if you purchase eyeglasses and use the full amount on May 1, 2025, you can next use the eyeglass benefit on May 2, 2027.
You can see the amount of used eyeglass and dental benefits in the Iris online service. However, the monitoring period is not visible in Iris. The most reliable answer is obtained by contacting us directly.
WHY DID I NOT RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION?
Even if your medication is prescribed by a doctor, it may not be eligible for reimbursement by KELA. You can check the reimbursement status through KELA’s medicine search service or contact the fund for assistance.
I APPLIED FOR €200 IN DENTAL REIMBURSEMENT BUT RECEIVED A DECISION FROM KELA STATING I WILL ONLY RECEIVE €30?
If the private dentist has not deducted the KELA reimbursement directly from your visit, we will do so at the fund. You will receive a separate decision regarding the KELA reimbursement by mail.
The fund will pay the remaining reimbursable portion as long as you have dental benefit funds available. No separate notification will be sent regarding the fund’s payment. We recommend checking the reimbursed amount in your online bank account. In unclear situations, please contact the fund.
I RECEIVED SEVERAL DOCUMENTS FROM THE DENTIST – WHICH DOCUMENTS SHOULD I ATTACH TO THE REIMBURSEMENT APPLICATION?
A good rule of thumb: the more documents you provide, the less additional work is required. The safest option is always to attach all documents you have received.
Attach the following to your reimbursement application:
–SV 127 (Medical expenses incurred in Finland)
-Depending on whether you visited a dentist or dental hygienist, the form SV 126 / SV 3SHS. If you visited a dental hygienist, also include the doctor’s referral for treatment SV 3SHM
-A copy of the receipt with itemized breakdown
DOES THE FUND REIMBURSE ANY PART OF AN EYEGLASS LEASING AGREEMENT?
Yes, but only as long as you have eyeglass benefit funds remaining. First pay the invoice yourself, then submit the invoice and proof of payment to us.
WHERE DO I NEED TO PRESENT MY KELA CARD WITH THE FUND NUMBER?
At the service locations of Mehiläinen, Terveystalo, Synlab, Lääkäriasema Lilja ja Lauri, InstruOptiikka, Synsam, and listed partner pharmacies.
We have direct billing agreements with these providers. After your visit, please remember to inform them that you belong to the sickness fund; otherwise, you will need to pay for the visit yourself first.
I HAVE HEARD THAT THE FUND REIMBURSES MASSAGE. CAN I JUST GO TO THE NEAREST SPA?
The fund reimburses 70% of each visit with a doctor’s referral when visiting a physiotherapist, massage therapist, naprapath, osteopath, chiropractor, or podiatrist/foot therapist. The provider must be registered and properly qualified.
Submit a valid referral at your first visit.
I RECEIVED AN INVOICE FROM THE WELLBEING SERVICES COUNTY – WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If the invoice concerns dental care, you must first pay it yourself. For other visits, you may bring the invoice either paid (attach receipt) or unpaid to the fund, in which case we will pay it directly to the issuer.
If the due date has already passed, you must pay the invoice yourself first. We do not reimburse late payment fees.
DOES THE FUND REIMBURSE A TAXI RIDE WHEN I AM GOING TO THE CENTRAL HOSPITAL FOR EXAMINATIONS NEXT WEEK?
KELA reimburses travel to healthcare if it is due to illness, pregnancy, or childbirth. You will need a certificate (SV 67) from healthcare services entitling you to use a taxi. The fund reimburses the €25 deductible.
The trip must be ordered through KELA’s dispatch center at 0800 500 500.
MY EMPLOYMENT STATUS CHANGES, I HAVE A NEW BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER, OR I WANT TO TERMINATE MY MEMBERSHIP. WHO MUST REPORT THIS?
The most reliable way to ensure information is updated is for you to report all changes yourself. Especially when employment ends, it is important to inform the fund so that unnecessary insurance contributions are not collected.