EANA Country Report Sweden

EANA Country Report Sweden, November 2012


In Sweden currently the largest problem we are facing is an investigation initiated by the “Social Department”, the governmental division in charge of health politics. The purpose of this investigation is to give a suggestion as to the possible discontinuation of a current law governing the right to practice and circumstances of reimbursement in private practice.
This law has been in effect since 1994 and currently  is the base of reimbursement for approximately 1400 doctors. Access to this type of reimbursement, and thus the possibility of establishing a private practice, is restricted and decided by each region independently. Most regions do not allow new establishments. However, since 2009, there is a law regulating the right to leave/sell a practice to a successor at the time of retirement.
The EU Commission  has criticized that the law is unfair and discriminating, because access is restricted and not an open system that everyone can join into. However, after a law amendment 2009 certain requirements of how a practice is advertized were inserted, to accomodate the EU.
Currently it is likely that the investigator will recommend abolishment of this law. The consequence for us will be a possible new system which highly restricts the possibility to practice in small entrepreneurial units, and will favor the larger (risk-capitalist) health companies.

We are asking EANA for help with a statement in support of survival of our right as physicians to practice independently.

November 28, 2012

Ilona Barnard

Vice President, Swedish Private Physicians' Association