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What is KELA direct reimbursement and when do you need it?
In short: A KELA direct-reimbursement agreement (suorakorvaussopimus) means the patient pays only their own share of the appointment fee — KELA's portion is deducted directly at the point of sale, and KELA reimburses you. Without the agreement, the patient pays the full fee and applies to KELA for reimbursement afterwards.
Why this matters for you as an Omply doctor
When you have an active KELA direct-reimbursement agreement, your patient sees the KELA deduction already when booking on Omply. This lowers the threshold for booking with you and improves your conversion. Without the agreement, the patient has to apply for the reimbursement from KELA themselves — a friction point for many.
Omply currently requires its doctors to hold a valid KELA direct-reimbursement agreement. This is how we guarantee every patient the best possible customer experience at a cost-effective price. If you do not yet have a direct-reimbursement agreement, this guide will get you started.
NOTE: On Omply's roadmap, we will later also welcome doctors who do not yet have KELA eligibility. We will announce separately when this option opens.
Key things to know before you start
- The agreement is always personal. You cannot use your employer's, clinic's, or colleague's agreement. Even if you work at the same physical location as another doctor, you must sign your own accession agreement (liittymissopimus) with KELA.
- You need a Soteri registration. You may begin the KELA process while your Soteri application is pending — a temporary rule is in force until 31 December 2026.
- There are two routes: via an interest organisation (the Finnish Medical Association, Suomen Lääkäriliitto ry) under its framework agreement, or directly with KELA without any membership. Both routes lead to the same outcome.
What Omply does for you
Once your KELA direct-reimbursement agreement is active and you have updated your details in your Omply doctor profile, Omply automatically displays the KELA deduction to the patient and routes the payment correctly. You do not need a separate system for KELA settlements — provided you are enrolled in an approved data system as per KELA's instructions.
What Omply does not do
Omply is not a party to the agreement and cannot apply for the direct-reimbursement agreement on your behalf or influence whether KELA approves your application. The agreement is always between you and KELA.
Next step
Read the guide How to get a KELA direct-reimbursement agreement — step by step and choose the route that suits you.
If you have general questions, read Frequently asked questions — KELA direct reimbursement and Omply.
NOTE: Information verified on 27 May 2026. KELA and the Finnish Medical Association may update their processes — always verify current procedures from the original sources:
- KELA — Direct reimbursement scheme: https://www.kela.fi/yhteistyokumppanit-terveydenhuolto-sairaanhoitokorvaukset-suorakorvausmenettely
- Finnish Medical Association: https://www.laakariliitto.fi
Omply's role: This article is informational guidance. Omply is not a party to the agreement and is not responsible for the organisation's membership process, KELA's decision to grant or deny the agreement, timelines, or contractual terms. KELA eligibility is not automatic — the organisation and KELA make their own determinations.