Iceland’s healthcare system is publicly funded through taxes, ensuring universal access for residents. The Icelandic healthcare system uses a co-payment system which reduces the expenses for people who frequently need to access healthcare. The amount people have to pay reaches a maximum within one year.
- The costs are lower for the elderly, the disabled and children.
Payments for services provided at healthcare centres and hospitals are covered by the system, as well as health services for self-employed doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and psychologists.
Everyone is entitled to emergency assistance. Legal residents are covered by Icelandic Health Insurance (IHI).
The Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun) is a governmental service institution that administers the payment of pension insurance and social assistance, health insurance and occupational injury insurance in accordance with the Act on Social Security.
The Social Insurance Administration works under the Ministry of Welfare which is responsible for the supervision of its activities. The Directorate of Health (Landlæknisembættið) is a government agency headed by the Medical Director of Health.
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Health clinics are located in most neighborhoods in urban areas. There are smaller clinics in rural areas and their opening hours may vary.
- In health clinics you may be assigned a general medical practitioner or "family doctor"
- In health clinics people receive preventative medicine and medical care in cases of illness.
Health clinics also see to maternity care, newborn baby and children's health services, mental health, drug prevention and sexually transmitted diseases prevention.
Health clinics and their doctors provide general health examinations and usually have a good overview of their patients' health history. Clinics are usually the first place people call when they are sick and medical practitioners treat most of the common ailments that people face during their lifetime. Remember to request an interpreter if you need one.
If you need immediate assistance or ambulance then call the emergency number 112.
There are health clinics in most neighborhoods. Often people get assigned a clinic based on the postal code of their residence but certain clinics allow individuals to choose which clinic and doctor they prefer, regardless of where they reside.
- When choosing a clinic make sure that the general practitioner or specialist you choose is contracted with The Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun). Doctors that are not contracted with Tryggingastofnun may be more expensive and the social insurance system will not participate in reimbursements.
Those that have not yet found a clinic may call their local clinic and make an appointment after regular hours on the same day when patients are seen on an emergency basis or on short notice. These appointments are available in most clinics and must be made on the same day.
For medical problems that arise after the closing time of the clinics there is a medical service called Læknavaktin. This is intended for all non-emergency related medical issues on weekends, evenings and holidays.
During weekends, evenings and on holidays it is also possible to call the number 1770 for medical advise from Læknavaktin.
- Open on a walk-in basis from 17:00-23:30 weekdays, and from 09:00-23:30 on weekends and holidays.
- Telephone lines are open for advice and house call requests between 17:00-08:00 on weekdays, and is open 24 hours on weekends and holidays.
- If your child becomes sick and you cannot get in contact with your family doctor or clinic you may call Læknavaktin.
- If you wish to call a specialist you can call the Pediatric Services at Domus Medica at (+354) 563-1010.
- It is important to note that as they are specialists they are more expensive than Læknavakt.
- If you wish to call a specialist you can call the Pediatric Services at Domus Medica at (+354) 563-1010.
- Emergency and trauma services (Slysa- og bráðamóttaka) are located at the University Hospital (Landspítali) at Fossvogur, 108 Reykjavík near Bústaðavegur.
- If you need immediate assistance or ambulance then call 112. Be prepared to state your name, what the problem is and your location.
The patient pays a minimum fee for the services of a general practitioner or of a specialist, outside of a hospital, while the rest is covered by insurance. This applies to most services.
- Old-age pensioners, invalidity pensioners and children with disabilities pay a lower fee.
- It is important to note that after patients have a paid over a certain amount for health services in a year they eligible for a discount or a fee reduction.
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Who is entitled?
Everyone who has been legally resident in Iceland for six months automatically becomes a member of the Icelandic social insurance system, regardless of nationality. This applies unless intergovernmental treaties say otherwise. Children and adolescents under the age of 18 are covered for health insurance with their parents.
There is no public health insurance coverage for the first six months of residency if intergovernmental treaties do not apply to you. Medical assistance during this period must be paid in full by the patient. If you are from a country within the EEA you should bring the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for use in Iceland.
Periods of insurance, employment or residence in other EEA Member States are taken into account in order to fulfill the six months needed to qualify.
- More information can be found on transferring insurance periods between EEA member states on the website of Iceland Health Insurance.
The insurance contains health care that includes:
- Hospitalization
- Maternity clinics
- General medical assistance outside a hospital by the patient's physician with whom the Icelandic Health Insurance has a contract
- All necessary examinations and treatments carried out by specialists and institutions with whom the Icelandic Health Insurance has a contract
- Medicine
- X-ray examinations and radiation
- Per diem sickness benefits
- Midwife assistance in cases of birth at home
- Dental and orthodontic treatment for children, people over 66 years, and pensioners
- Nursing in the patient's home
- Aid apparatus
- Physiotherapy
The list is not exhaustive and may change.
A fee to be paid for each consultation and other services is fixed by regulations. The extent of patient participation in the costs of the above health care services varies according to the service in question.
The insured individual pays a minimum fee for the services of a general practitioner or a specialist outside of a hospital, while the remaining cost is covered by the insurance. The fee is decided in a regulation issued by the ministry of health. This applies to most services. Old age pensioners, invalidity pensioners and children with disabilities pay a lower fee.
Discount cards (afsláttarkort) are available to persons who have, during one calendar year, paid a specified amount for physician and health care services. When an individual has a card the fees for health services are lower.
Insured persons are entitled to free hospitalization, including maternity clinics. Hospitalization is ensured for as long as necessary, along with medical care, required medicines and other hospital services.
Medicine is obtained at pharmacies. A medical prescription must be presented. Costs of medicine of vital necessity use regularly are usually covered in full. With respect to other necessary pharmaceutical costs the insured pays a specified fee, from 0-100% of the cost depending on the type of medicine. The fee for each prescription that the insured is required to pay is specified in a regulation issued by the ministry of Health.
General dental and orthodontic treatment for persons between 18 and 66 years of age is not covered by the insurance. However, in case of congenital defects, accidents or illness or in case of an invalidity pensioner there is a partial reimbursement of the costs. Dental treatment provided to children and adolescents under the age of 18 is partially reimbursed by the insurance. There is also a partial reimbursement of orthodontic care for persons under age 21. Dental treatment is partially reimbursed for people over 66 years or invalidity pensioners. The reimbursement of dental costs is in accordance with a standard rate schedule issued by the ministry of health. Private dentists charge for their services according to their own price list.
How to get in touch with Iceland Health:
Website: https://island.is/en/o/iceland-health
Phone: 515 0000
E-mail: sjukra@sjukra.is