In Finland, if an individual's doctor and hospital fees exceed 815 euros in a year, they are entitled to receive subsequent treatments for free or at a reduced cost. However, many patients may fail to notice when this payment ceiling is reached, leaving them potentially carrying unnecessary costs. According to Jussi Tervola, a research manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), it's estimated that between 12,000 to 36,000 people do not utilize the relief offered by the payment ceiling due to lack of awareness.

The payment ceiling was designed to protect individuals who frequently use healthcare services and to ensure they can afford necessary treatments. However, the responsibility to monitor these payments falls on the patients themselves, presenting a significant challenge. For those needing to keep track of their medical expenses, especially during ongoing treatments, it can be difficult to know when their total costs exceed the 815 euro limit.

This situation can lead to potentially high out-of-pocket costs for patients who are not informed of their rights and entitlements under the existing healthcare pricing structures. The THL emphasizes the importance of awareness and transparency in the healthcare system to ensure that eligible patients are informed about the benefits they may be entitled to, mitigating financial strain and enhancing healthcare accessibility for those heavily reliant on medical services.