The Danish healthcare system

The Danish healthcare system is the primary field of application for DDKM.

The Ministry of Health is in charge of the administrative functions in relation to the organisation and financing of the healthcare system, psychiatry and health insurance as well as the approval of pharmaceuticals and the primary sector. Prevention and health promotion are also part of the Ministry's remit.

Regional Healthcare:

Five regions: The North Denmark Region, Central Denmark Region, Region of Southern Denmark, Region Zealand and The Capital Region of Denmark.

- Somatic hospital service
- Psychiatric hospital service
- Health insurance
- General practitioners
- Specialists

Municipal Healthcare:

98 municipalities

- Preventive treatment
- Homecare
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation (off hospital)
- Treatment of alcohol and drug abuse
- Local dental service
- Specialist dental care
- Social psychiatry

Financing

85 percent of healthcare costs are financed through taxes. The regions cannot levy taxes directly; they are financed through contributions from the state and the municipalities. GPs (private) operate wholly within the public healthcare system. 3,700 GPs and 3,700 dentists have contracts with the public healthcare service.

The public authorities have entered agreements with approximately 160 private hospitals in Denmark and abroad where patients can receive treatment if the Danish public healthcare system is unable to provide treatment within two months.