The upper limit (egenandelstak) is set by the parliament (Stortinget) each year.
There are two types of exemption cards for different types of services. An exemption card granted under one scheme does not apply to services under the other scheme.

User fee group 1 (egenandelstak 1)

This scheme covers user fees for:

• examination and treatment by doctors, psychologists, at outpatient clinics and at X-ray institutes
• travel in connection with medical examination and treatment (pasientreise)
• important medicines and special medical equipment available through the ”blue prescription” scheme (blåresept)

User fee group 2 (egenandelstak 2)

This scheme covers user fees for:

• physiotherapy (examination and treatment)
• some forms of dentistry
• rehabilitation treatment at publicly approved rehabilitation institutions
• travel abroad for treatment under the direction of Rikshospitalet University Hospital

Which user fees are covered?

It is to publicly approved doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, clinics and institutes (behandlere med refusjonsavtale med HELFO) that you can pay approved user fees.

Only approved user fees and charges are covered. There are some patient expenses that are not covered by the exemption card schemes, such as, for example, the cost of dressings supplied at the doctors. This is called patient co-payment (pasientbetaling).

You have to pay these charges even if you have an exemption card or are exempt from paying user fees.

Am I entitled to an exemption card?

To be entitled to Norwegian welfare benefits, you have to have a membership in the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden). You can read more about the National insurance scheme at www.nav.no.

How do you get your exemption card?

For user fee group 1, the exemption card is issued automatically when you qualify. You do not need to apply.

For user fee group 2, send all your receipts to your regional HELFO office, when you have paid more than 2.560 NOK in user fees. You will find an application form by following the link to the right “Application form for user fee group 2”.

User fees you have paid will be reimbursed

If you have paid user fees above the government upper limit for user fees, excess sums will be paid into your bank account. Sums below NOK 50 cannot be paid out.

For user fee group 1: Any balance below NOK 50 will be reimbursed at the end of the year.

For user fee group 2: If you have paid several qualifying fees that together amount to more than NOK 50, you can within a time limit of six months apply to have them reimbursed.

Remember to take your exemption card with you when you go for treatment!

You must have your exemption card with you in order not to have to pay a user fee. If you have forgotten your exemption card, you must pay the ordinary user fee.

For user fee group 1 the fee will later be refunded to your bank account.

For user fee group 2 you must apply to have the fee reimbursed.

(Illustration photo: Colourbox.com)