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. GP practices typically consist of one to six doctors. You can find contact information for regional practices on the Fastleger site (in Norwegian). You can also request for doctors´ contact information from Guidance Helsenorge by calling +47 23 32 70 00.

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.

If you fall sick outside regular hours, call the after-hours service (legevakt) in 116 117. In more densely populated municipalities, walk-in centres are available where nurses triage patients and answer calls. Several doctors are on duty throughout the day and night. In smaller municipalities, patients must call the after-hours number and speak with a nurse, who will decide whether the patient should see a GP.

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.

Most prescription medicines in Norway are not reimbursable, meaning that you must pay the full price for them 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 fall ill and have to return to Finland using a more expensive method of travel (for example, special transportation) than you would normally use, you are entitled to receive reimbursement from Norway. The reimbursement will cover the additional expenses incurred due to the more expensive method of travel. You pay the same amount for the return journey as you would have paid for an ordinary journey when healthy.

To qualify for reimbursement, you must have a medical certificate issued in Norway that confirms the need for 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.

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.