The deadlines have passed and still thousands of higher education students have not paid the medical care fee to the Finnish Social Security Authority (Kela), which is applied for the first time this academic year.
Students attending a university or university of applied sciences (that is how polytechnics are called in Finland) who are entitled to use the Student Health Service must pay a healthcare fee to Kela. The amount set for 2021 is 35.80 euros per term.
In February, Kela sent a late payment reminder to 43,000 students, who had not yet paid the fees.
Along with the notification, there was a surcharge of 5 euros and a notice that if they did not pay "as soon as possible", the amounts would be withheld from their study grants or referred to the enforcement authority for collection.
Now the stage of notices and reminders is over. Kela just announced in a press release that unpaid healthcare fees will be referred to the enforcement authority for collection in mid-April.
8,150 pending payments
According to current information from Kela, there are 8,150 students who have not paid the health fees even after receiving a reminder and it has not been possible to deduct the amounts from April their study grant payments.
These fees will be referred to the enforcement authority to ensure their collection.
To avoid collection by enforcement, the Social Security agency recommends that students pay the fee "immediately, using the payment details on the due notice."
If the student no longer has the late notice that was mailed to their home address, the payment details can be verified online at Kela's electronic service.
