Since 2012, Luleå Energi has paid many million amounts for private care for employees so that they can return to work as quickly as possible in case of illness or other problems.

The company is the municipality's profit machine and reported a surplus of almost SEK 124 million in 2018 and thus can afford the investment in alternative health care solutions.

Passing care queue

Luleå Energy's CEO Anneli Sjömark believes that private health insurance is a good deal for the company.

- Sure it costs money, but given what we win, like our employees coming back to work faster after an illness, I think it's worth it. I have never heard anyone criticize the agreement, but our employees think this is so good that they are prepared to be taxed for it, she says.

How does it happen?

- Our employees should primarily seek general health care, but if they do not receive help there, you can activate private health insurance and receive care in accordance with the rules that apply in the agreement. Then it is also a deductible of SEK 600.

"A luxury package of care"

Luleå Energi has procured something called "Lifeline access" via Skandia and the employees have access to medical advice, care planning, medical care, operations and hospital care and aftercare, rehabilitation, treatment by a physiotherapist, chiropractor, naprapath or dietician.

In addition, travel and accommodation, psychologist or psychotherapist, home care after surgery, medicines and a second opinion are paid - a further assessment by a specialist doctor.

And most importantly - it goes fast.

"It is not OK"

- It's a real care package Luxury, says LO Northern Sweden's chairman Krister Johansson, who is uncompromisingly critical of the phenomenon of private health insurance.

- This is not okay. It is a way of undermining public welfare. The companies that can afford it take no responsibility for our social contract or for equality. This is not common among LO's member groups and definitely not in women-dominated activities. We are opposed to private health insurance and believe that they should not really be needed, says Krister Johansson.