The Danish Patient Insurance Act of 1991: first experiences

Abstract

In 1991, Denmark established a Patient Insurance Scheme. The Scheme entered into force on 1 July 1992 and the first experiences with the Scheme have now been gained. Even though it is still too early to draw a clear picture of the significance of the Scheme, it is already safe to conclude that the Scheme provides a much more extensive coverage than did the hitherto prevailing negligence-based liability system. Furthermore, it is safe to conclude that the Scheme works much faster than the fault liability system where it might take years before the courts reached a decision.