Occupational Healthcare for Employers: A Quick Guide
Under the Occupational Health Care Act, employers have an obligation to provide preventive healthcare for their employees.
What you need to know in relation to the provision of occupational health care:
Sign a written service agreement with an occupational health care provider.
You can choose your provider from healthcare units in wellbeing services counties, municipal companies, joint occupational health care centres, or private medical centres.
The agreement should determine the scale of services provided, including whether medical care is also included in addition to the required preventive healthcare.
Preventive healthcare focuses on maintaining employees’ work ability and preventing work-related illnesses and accidents. Your chosen occupational health service will invite workers to health checks, and provide guidance and advice.
Note that preventive healthcare does not cover medical care. The provision of medical care at the general practitioner level is voluntary for employers and should be agreed on separately.
After choosing a healthcare provider and signing the service agreement, the provider conducts a workplace survey.
This involves discussing your company’s needs with the provider and defining the tasks for occupational healthcare in the form of an action plan. This should be reviewed at least once a year.
The costs covered by occupational health care include, for example, the preparation of a workplace survey and action plan, health checks, and related examinations.
Services that are covered by other compensation mechanisms, such as dental care and rehabilitation costs, are not covered.
Your company can apply for compensation for occupational health care and medical care costs from Kela.
Compensation typically amounts to around half of the calculated maximum costs.
Usually, the occupational health care provider sends the employer a pre-completed claim form with the information on the costs of occupational health care.
Please note that the following requirements must be met to receive compensation:
- You must comply with good occupational health care practices.
- The costs must be reasonable and necessary.
- A valid agreement and action plan is required.
- A workplace survey conducted by the occupational health care provider is essential.
Remember to apply for compensation annually within six months of the end of your company’s financial year.
We have also compiled a guide on how to apply for compensation of occupational health care costs online in PDF form.