Your right to use the extended free hospital choice

In Region Sjælland, we want to offer fast treatment. 
For most, this means that the waiting time shouldn’t exceed 1 month.  
If we can’t deliver the relevant treatment within this time at our own hospital, you’ll be offered the treatment at one of our partnering hospitals.

A partnering hospital is a public hospital in another region or a private hospital that Region Sjælland has an agreement with. 
If the waiting time exceeds one month, you have the right to use the extended free hospital choice.

The extended free hospital choice means that you have the right to choose a private hospital,  if the waiting time at the region’s own hospitals, or the hospitals that the region partners with, exceeds one month – and if there’s an agreement between Region Sjælland and the private hospital for the treatment you need. 

The waiting time is calculated differently based on whether you’re already receiving clinical treatment at the hospital,  or if you’ve been referred to the hospital directly by your GP.

If you’re already receiving clinical treatment at the hospital, the waiting time is calculated from the date when the doctor decided which treatment you could be offered.

If the hospital receives you directly for treatment, the waiting time is calculated from the date that the hospital received the referral from your GP.

If you use a private partnering hospital, you’ll be covered by the rules of transport.

If you use a private hospital under the extended free hospital choice, you must organise your own transport.

Learn more about the topic in “Rules about driving to and from the hospital”.