Market for and use of therapy services for children and young persons (LaTePa)

The study examines the structure and pricing of the market for therapy services for children and young persons and the effects of procurement models on the availability, supply and cost development of services in Finland. The rehabilitation provided by Kela is largely based on services provided by private service providers, which makes it an important publicly funded health market. The study analyses the effects of service provider structures, market concentration, pricing and regulation based on a price cap on the functioning of the market.

At the same time, the study looks at the use of Kela-funded therapy services among children and young persons. The focus will be on the age cohorts born in 2006-2018 to monitor the use, targeting and development of services throughout childhood and youth. For the first time, the study provides a comprehensive population-level view of the use of long-term therapy services by children and young persons in Finland, and the regional differences between them.

The study also looks at how therapy services relate to neurodevelopmental syndromes, care and rehabilitation paths for children and young persons, and the division of responsibilities between Kela and the wellbeing services counties. Particular attention will be paid to the timing of pharmaceutical treatments and rehabilitation services and how the use of services is related to the need for services in the whole population.

The aim of the study is to produce data that supports the development of rehabilitation services, the monitoring of the service system, and knowledge-based management.

Researchers

• Miika Vuori, principal investigator
• Juho Leppänen
• Ripsa Niemi
• Sara Kuhmonen
• Hennamari Mikkola
• Riina Hiltunen
• Sauli Jäppinen

Project duration

1 September 2026–31 December 2029

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