Availability of services
The treatment guarantee and the service guarantee ensure access to treatment and services within the statutory time limit.
As of 1 January 2025, the treatment guarantee for people aged 23 and over will be three months in primary health care and six months in oral health care, which is part of primary health care. Persons under the age of 23 must have access to treatment within 14 days at the latest if the examination or treatment of an illness or injury is concerned. In oral health care, people under the age of 23 must have access to treatment within three months at the latest.
Furthermore, an assessment of the need for treatment must be conducted on the same day a patient contacts the healthcare services. Assessments involve determining the individual’s need for treatment or examinations, gauging their urgency, and selecting the appropriate healthcare professional for their situation. In practice, accessing care may translate to an appointment with a nurse or a physiotherapist. Thus, fulfilling the waiting time guarantee does not always require a doctor’s appointment.
The maximum waiting time guarantee for outpatient care encompasses cases related to illnesses, injuries, exacerbated chronic illnesses, new symptoms, and declines in functional ability. The guarantee covers both physical and mental health concerns.