Norway

In need to see a doctor in Norway, you should contact a general practitioner (fastlege) who has an agreement with the municipality. Most general practitioners (GP) in Norway operate under such contracts. You can find contact information for regional practices on the Fastleger site (in Norwegian).

You need a referral from a GP to see a specialist. There are both hospital-based specialists as well as outpatient specialists available. In specialist medical care, patients have the right to choose their place of treatment from all public hospitals in the country, as well as from private providers that have agreements with the four regional health authorities. Specialists employed by hospitals can only charge a standard fee, whereas those working in private practices may set their own fees more freely. In principle, patients are free to choose their specialist.

Costs for GP and specialist visits are partially reimbursed. Public healthcare providers have a price limit they cannot exceed. In principle, you should not have to apply for reimbursements retrospectively for services covered by the public healthcare system. You receive treatment at a price that already includes the reimbursement, so you only pay the standard patient contribution.

However, reimbursement of travel costs must be applied for retrospectively. Read more about reimbursement of travel costs (Pasientreiser) on the Helsenorge site.

Costs for after-hours services (legevakt) are higher than for ordinary primary healthcare services. Hospital treatment (including medication) and emergency ambulatory transport are free of charge. If you are treated on an outpatient basis or by a specialist at a hospital´s outpatient clinic, the patient fees will be charged in the same way as for a visit to a general practitioner. Outpatient clinic visits are free of charge for patients under 16 and for certain special groups. You may have to pay additional charges for certain imaging examinations (for example, X-rays, ultrasound scans) and for supplies (e.g. hospital clothing).

In larger cities, there are also some private clinics on call, where the patient is responsible for all costs.

Generally, compensation for dental expenses for adults is not provided, and the patient must cover the full cost. In special cases (for example, dental surgery procedures), you may be eligible for reimbursement. The treating dentist will usually inform you of this. However, public dental care is free of charge for patients aged 18 and under.

Prescriptions in Norway are valid for one year from the date they are issued, unless the doctor has specified a shorted validity period. This applies to most medicines, but prescriptions for hormonal contraception may be valid for up to three years. Most prescription medicines in Norway are not reimbursable, which means you have to pay the full price at the pharmacy.

In an emergency, an ambulance can be called by dialling the general emergency number 113. You can get to a hospital with a referral from a primary care doctor, or in emergency situations (such as accidents, suspected heart attacks, seizures, etc.) directly by ambulance.

If you have to return to Finland due to illness by a more expensive means of transport than usual (for example special transport), you may be able to claim reimbursement from Norway for the additional costs.

The reimbursement will cover the additional cost incurred by using the more expensive method of travel. In other words, you will pay the same price for the return trip as you would have done when travelling healthy.

The requirement for reimbursement is that you have a medical certificate written in Norway which indicates the necessity of a more expensive method of travel.

Remember to make sure that your patient data is transferred between countries. You can provide those responsible for your follow-up care or your health centre with the patient records concerning the treatment you received abroad. If the patient records need to be translated, you will be responsible for arranging that yourself.

An electronic Patient Summary is in use between Norway and Finland, which means that doctors can, to a limited extent, view the health information that has been previously recorded about you in Finland. The Patient Summary contains information such as diagnoses, prescriptions and allergies. Check with your place of treatment whether they use the Patient Summary. You must also give your consent in MyKanta for the use of the Patient Summary.

Read more about the Patient Summary on the MyKanta website.

In the event of a patient injury, the legislation and patient insurance regulations of the country where the treatment was provided will apply. If you are dissatisfied with the care you received, try to resolve the matter with the doctor who treated you. The National Contact Point can assist you in finding the appropriate authority if you wish to file a complaint.

In Norway, primary healthcare is the responsibility of the municipalities. Funds allocated to municipalities are generally not earmarked, so municipalities are allowed to set their own healthcare budgets. The Norwegian Ministry of Health play an indirect role through legislation and funding.

Public healthcare covers both planned and unplanned primary care, hospitals, and medical transport. Municipalities organise primary healthcare services through contracts with private practitioners. Usually, each person is registered with one doctor, and the patient has the right to choose which doctor they are listed with. The responsibility for organising specialised medical care lies with four regional health authorities.

Hospitals are almost all publicly owned, and acute medical care is always provided by public service providers. There are some private hospitals, but they only offer non-urgent care. In Norway, you cannot get receive reimbursement for private healthcare costs unless the provider has an agreement with the public healthcare system.