Family visit in Norway
Tourists who come to Norway and wish to obtain emergency medical treatment have the same rights to health care services as all other permanent residents.
The condition is to have a European Health Insurance Card and a valid ID card or passport. During normal business hours you should contact a doctor working in the public healthcare system (this may be primary care physician person we are visiting). However, we know from experience that it is not always easy to get to such an appointment. This is partly due to the healthcare professionals' ignorance of how such a patient should be treated in connection with the necessary documentation of the visit and, which is very common, also among Norwegian patients, due to the lack of vacancies for an appointment on a given day.
For assistance outside normal working hours, we should look for the nearest admission point, i.e. legevakt. To contact such a facility and find out where to go for help, we call 116 117.
When presenting the European Health Insurance Card, only standard non-refundable fees will be charged.
The amount you pay depends on the type of treatment you receive. Persons under the age of 16 are not obliged to pay the standard fee, the so-called egenandel. If you visit a specialist, we will need a referral from a general practitioner.
Standard fees will also apply to a specialist. Visit to private doctor it is fully paid for by the patient and is much more expensive than a visit to a public facility.
What in an emergency?
In an emergency, call 113. When needed, we can get treatment at the nearest public hospital. Hospital treatment, including medications, is free of charge. For any other hospital treatment you will need a referral from a doctor. Transport by ambulances as well as transport as part of the air ambulance service is free of charge.
Where can you buy Medicines?
Prescription medicines are dispensed in all pharmacies. We should have the prescription with us and European Health Insurance Cardto purchase the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Drug charges are usually non-reimbursable, but some types of drugs are "blå resept", i.e. "Blue prescription" for the chronically ill. There is a discount for such a drug.
What when does a tooth hurt?
Patients using dentists' services are obliged to bear the full costs of dental treatment. Children under 18 years of age receive such treatment free of charge in the public health care system.
It is important to protect yourself with the documentation.
If you need oxygen or dialysis during your stay in Norway, you must obtain a medical certificate from your family doctor or attending physician before traveling, confirming that we require such treatment. On site, due to the possession of the EHIC, such treatment will be provided to us. Make an appointment in Norway well in advance of your arrival for the visit described above. Treatment is only reimbursed under the public health system.
How much do you have to pay for the visit?
When using the services of the Norwegian health service, with the European Health Insurance Card you will pay the same as the Norwegians pay for this type of benefit. You also need to remember that EHIC card it does not cover the cost of rescue operations or the cost of returning to the country. If for any reason you need to cover all your healthcare costs yourself, when you return to Poland, you should contact the Social Insurance Institution to make a claim for reimbursement.
Collect the bills!
Be sure to keep all original bills and receipts, as well as copies of referrals and prescriptions, in case you need them for a refund. In addition, before leaving, you can buy a special travel insurance, thanks to which we will get a chance to get reimbursement of treatment costs abroad (you should find out beforehand what such insurance covers and what we can apply for, e.g. whether your health insurance also covers members of your family).
What if you don't have an insurance card?
If you do not have a European Health Insurance Card or are unable to use it for some reason (e.g. in a private hospital), a medical facility cannot refuse you care. If this is the case, you may be asked to pay before you receive treatment. When you return to your home country, you will be able to claim your expenses.
