Changes Related to Occupational Health Services
Will direct reimbursement in the future be available only at Pihlajalinna for Restel, Onni and Tradeka employees?
Tradeka’s sickness fund has direct reimbursement agreements with both occupational health service providers, Pihlajalinna and Terveystalo. However, guidance is primarily to your own occupational health service provider:
- If your occupational health service changes to Pihlajalinna on 1 January 2026, you will primarily use Pihlajalinna for sickness fund services as well.
- If your occupational health service remains with Terveystalo, practices will continue unchanged with Terveystalo, including sickness fund services.
Will direct reimbursement still be available for physiotherapy/massage?
Direct reimbursement for physiotherapy will continue according to the previous model through your occupational health service provider, meaning you will continue to receive direct reimbursement at both Terveystalo and Pihlajalinna.
Currently, massage therapy is eligible for direct reimbursement only at Fysios.
What kind of contract prices does the sickness fund have for laboratory test packages?
So far, the sickness fund has negotiated contract prices for laboratory test packages separately for each year. Information on prices will be communicated to members no later than the beginning of next year for both service providers.
Will direct reimbursement still be available for dental care at Terveystalo?
Terveystalo’s oral health care services are not part of the occupational health agreement, and therefore the change does not affect these services. You may continue to use Terveystalo’s oral health care services with direct reimbursement regardless of where your occupational health care is provided.
—-
Other FAQs
Does the sickness fund reimburse prescription renewals?
Yes, it does. As of 1 February 2026 the reimbursement is 80% of the cost when the prescription has been renewed by an occupational healthcare service provider (Terveystalo/Pihlajalinna). You can also renew your prescription free of charge via the OmaKanta service.
Does the sickness fund reimburse laboratory packages without a referral?
You do not need a doctor’s referral to receive direct reimbursement for occupational health laboratory packages (Terveystalo/Pihlajalinna). Some laboratory packages have a specific contract price (in 2025 at Terveystalo Finland: Health Research Package €64.50 and Women’s and Men’s Comprehensive Research Package €89.50).
The fund reimburses 80% of the price of the laboratory package, and you pay only the 20% co-payment.
Which medicine purchases are reimbursed by the fund?
The fund reimburses only medicines eligible for Kela reimbursement (not all prescription medicines are Kela-reimbursable). By presenting your Kela card with the sickness fund identifier at the pharmacy, you receive an 80% direct reimbursement. You pay only the co-payment at the pharmacy.
Note: If you did not receive Kela reimbursement at the pharmacy for a reimbursable medicine purchase, submit the pharmacy receipt, payment breakdown, and an application via www.kela.fi/asiointi.
Can I apply for reimbursement retroactively?
You can apply for reimbursement retroactively up to 6 months from the date of purchase or visit. For example, if you attend several physiotherapy sessions, remember to apply for reimbursement within 6 months of each visit to receive reimbursement.
When am I entitled to dental care reimbursements?
After your insurance relationship has lasted for one year (NOTE: this is not the same as the length of your employment).
When will I receive a Kela card with the sickness fund identifier?
Your insurance relationship begins when your probationary period ends. You will receive your Kela card automatically by post approximately two weeks after this.
Where can I receive massage therapy?
You may receive massage therapy from any service provider, as long as the massage therapist is registered in Valvira’s register.
Where can I see a doctor?
The sickness fund reimburses only services provided by the selected occupational health service providers (Terveystalo Finland or Pihlajalinna) and public health care services.
When and where can I purchase eyeglasses?
You are entitled to eyeglass reimbursement after one year of insurance coverage. You may purchase eyeglasses from any optical store. Direct reimbursement is available from our partner opticians: Instrumentarium, Nissen, Keops, and Synsam.
(NOTE: this is not the same as the length of your employment.)
Does the fund reimburse physiotherapy?
The fund reimburses physiotherapy up to €375 per year. Physiotherapy and massage share the same €375 annual limit.
Can I visit an osteopath or chiropractor?
The sickness fund reimburses treatment provided by osteopaths, naprapaths, and chiropractors as of 1 June 2024, provided that the practitioner is registered in Valvira’s register.
Does the fund reimburse contraceptives?
The fund does not reimburse contraceptives. We reimburse only products/medicines that are reimbursable under the Health Insurance Act. If the product is used for medical treatment and purchased from a pharmacy (e.g. for menopause-related treatment or heavy and painful menstruation), it may fall under Kela reimbursement.
Am I entitled to reimbursements while on parental leave?
You are entitled to sickness fund reimbursements while on parental leave. However, once childcare leave begins, the fund’s benefits are no longer available.
Will I receive an 80% reimbursement for surgeries/procedures in occupational health care?
The fund reimburses 80% of surgeries and comparable procedures, with a maximum of €1,000 per calendar year.
NOTE: The fund reimburses only procedures performed by the selected occupational health service providers (Terveystalo Finland or Pihlajalinna) and public health care providers.
How much does the fund reimburse for medicine purchases?
The fund reimburses medicines eligible under the Health Insurance Act once the annual initial deductible has been met. As of 1 January 2026, the annual initial deductible will increase to €70.33.
Does the fund reimburse work shoes?
The fund does not reimburse work shoes. However, you receive a 40% reimbursement for custom-made supportive insoles, up to a maximum of €30 over a period of two calendar years.
How do I apply for reimbursement?
The sickness fund uses the electronic Iris service, or you may submit an application with attachments by post. The fund’s contact details and instructions for using the Iris service can be found on the website. Applications cannot be submitted by email.
When does my insurance relationship begin?
Your insurance relationship begins when your probationary period ends. Please note that the one-year insurance period is not fulfilled simply by being employed for one year.
Where can I visit an ophthalmologist?
You may visit any ophthalmologist service provider, and the fund reimburses 80% of the cost.
Does the fund reimburse imaging (e.g. X-rays and MRI scans)?
Yes, provided the imaging is performed in public health care or through your occupational health service provider (Terveystalo/Pihlajalinna). The reimbursement is 80% of the costs.
Does the fund reimburse vaccinations?
The sickness fund does not reimburse vaccinations, such as influenza, hepatitis, or tick-borne encephalitis vaccines. If your work involves exposure risk, you may receive some vaccinations through occupational health care or public health care. Tetanus vaccination is available free of charge through public health care.
Does the fund reimburse medicines administered during an occupational health appointment (Terveystalo/Pihlajalinna)?
The fund does not reimburse medicines administered during a doctor’s appointment.
Do I need to apply for reimbursement within the same calendar year as my visit?
No. You can apply for reimbursement retroactively up to 6 months. For example, in January 2026 you may apply for reimbursement for a visit in November 2025.
Where can I see how much of my reimbursement limit is still available?
You can most easily view reimbursed benefits in the electronic Iris service. Alternatively, you may send an email inquiry regarding your remaining limits to sairauskassa@tradeka.fi