Here's what you need to know about your health insurance card

453,564 Norwegians received a new European Health Insurance Card in the first seven months of this year.

That's down from 618,679 in the same period last year. But not everyone knows what the card will be used for. Or where it should be stored.

– We note that many people think that they do not need private travel insurance if they have a European Health Insurance Card. This is a big misunderstanding. We recommend that everyone take out private travel insurance in addition.

The European Health Insurance Card does not cover treatment in a private hospital or with a private doctor, nor does it cover transport home, Hilfo's director of overseas, Karen Sinovi-Jarnes, tells DinSide.

they are doing it wrong

There could be several reasons for the 165,115 fewer cards issued this year compared to the same time last year. One is that a record number of cards have been issued in the past two years. Specifically, 974,190 cards in 2022 and 798,500 cards last year.

– If you have to visit a general practitioner or a public hospital when you travel to an EEA country, Switzerland or Great Britain, a health insurance card can guarantee that you receive healthcare. By showing the card, you have the right to the necessary healthcare coverage on an equal basis with the residents of the country in which you reside, says department manager Karin Synovi Jarnes at Helfo utland.

With the European Health Insurance Card, you only pay the same deductible as citizens there.

tube alarm

Forget the card

“We see a lot of people who have the card, but don’t take it with them when they travel. It’s a huge advantage to have the card itself and to be able to show it if you need healthcare from a doctor or hospital that is connected to the public health system in the country you’re in,” says Jarnes.

Remember to have your card handy, so you can show it if you need medical care at a doctor or hospital. This need may arise suddenly, so put the card in your wallet or another convenient place while you are on the go.

– There are also many people who do not know that the European Health Insurance Card system is anchored in the European Economic Area Agreement.

This is how we do it.

– Can you send hospital/treatment expenses abroad, and provide receipts for payment when you return to your country?

– If you have received healthcare in an EU/EEA country and have paid for the treatment, we advise you to go to the website of Health Norway Read more about payment options and how to apply.

– I feel shy

– Every year there are reports of private medical offices abroad refusing to provide treatment to Norwegians if they only have a health insurance card and not private travel insurance?

– Helfo cannot respond to private actors abroad, but it is likely that the private doctor's office will be paid, Karen Sinovi-Garnes tells DinSide.

While children have the same travel insurance and insurance certificate as their parents, the rules are different when it comes to the health insurance card.

Private card

– Children must have their own card. It usually takes ten working days from the time you apply for the European Health Insurance Card until you receive it in the post. If the application is sent for manual processing, it may take a little longer, says the senior advisor.

You can apply for a new card even if you are still registered with a valid card. Unlike the rules regarding passports, there is no limit to the number of cards you can apply for.

– Put it away

– We still encourage people to check their card, as it is not necessary to apply for a new card before the old one expires. The delivery time for a new health insurance card is usually 10 business days, says Garnis.

The health insurance card is valid for three years from the date of issue. You can find the expiration date on the card itself.

For your information: The card is free.

Hi, my name is Odd Roar Lange and I am a travel expert and journalist for DinSide and Dagbladet. Do you have information about health cards or medical treatment abroad? Or do you have an experience, question or smart suggestion that others should know about?