Rationale:
A study from Denmark indicates that while general practitioners associate private health insurance with over-treatment and health inequality, many feel pressured to refer insured patients for tests and treatments lacking medical justification. According to the Health Personnel Act, those issuing medical certifications must exercise caution, accuracy, and objectivity. Healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring that medical care does not impose unnecessary expense on patients, healthcare institutions, insurance providers, or others. Incidental findings from unnecessary tests prompted by private health insurance can lead to further investigation and treatment within the public healthcare system.
References:
- Andersen KE et al, General practitioners’ attitudes towards and experiences with referrals due to supplemental health insurance, Family Practice, 2017, Vol. 34, No. 5, 581–586, doi:10.1093/fampra/cmx035.
- Lov om helsepersonell m.v. (helsepersonelloven) kapittel 2. Krav til helsepersonells yrkesutøvelse, § 6. Ressursbruk. Tilgjengelig fra: https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/1999-07-02-64
- Lov om helsepersonell m.v. (helsepersonelloven) kapittel 2. Krav til helsepersonells yrkesutøvelse, § 15. Krav til attester, erklæringer o.l. Tilgjengelig fra: https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/1999-07-02-64