Terveystalo made a change that makes it “virtually impossible to detect errors in invoices

Terveystalo has changed its way of reporting services used in occupational health to companies.

The change has made the accuracy of the invoice « practically impossible, » says HR, interviewed by HS, from a Terveystalo client company. The Human Resources Manager does not appear in his name so that the company he represents cannot be identified.

Yle MOT reported on Monday that there have been cases in Terveystalo where the doctor has repeatedly charged the clients overpriced. Terveystalo has admitted that has happened.

According to MOT, over -invoicing has mainly concerned occupational health patients.

Previously Terveystalo sent an invoice and a separate password protected attachment to its client companies, says the HR Manager.

The invoice sent to the accounts showed the types of operation of the services used. The separate appendix received by the HR manager included a list of all the employees who had utilized the services.

In January, Terveystalo changed its practices. Currently, the entire company is listed in the appendix if less than six people have been used by occupational health services during the billing period.

According to the Human Resources Manager, there have been some errors in Terveystalo’s invoices. Invoices for services that are not included in the contract, but which should be billed through the company’s insurance has been sent to the company.

With the help of the breakdown, these disadvantages were noticed. Now it is no longer possible, says the HR Manager.

Terveystalo Previous practice corresponds to the Data Protection Ombudsman guidance. Deputy Protection Ombudsman Heljä-Tuulia yard notes that the guidance has been the same for years.

According to the yard, the guidance is functional from the perspective of both employees and companies. The employee’s privacy is maintained, but the company has the opportunity to ensure the correctness of the invoice.

If there are so few employees using services that it would be possible to combine occupational health measures with an individual, the billing period would be justified. Then there would be more names in the attachment, Pihamaa says.

When The changed practice was revealed, the HR manager was in contact with Terveystalo’s billing.

According to an email seen by HS, the HR manager was told that « in billing no one can check the customer’s accuracy of the invoice any more than the customer on the basis of the attachments themselves. »

The HR manager also inquired about the possibility of extending the billing period to get a list of the names of those who used the services. It was reportedly not possible.

The HR Manager emphasizes that he does not need detailed information on employee health. However, in order to ensure the invoice is correct, he says he needs a list of service users and a general list of service types.

The HR Manager says that due to the change, the company has decided to end cooperation with Terveystalo.

Terveystalo communications manager Niina Nojonen Reply by email that the purpose of the change is to improve the privacy of client companies.

The answer also refers to the previously mentioned instructions for the Data Protection Ombudsman, which, however, has not changed.

The communication did not answer the HS follow -up question as to why the billing period cannot be extended according to Terveystalo.