Care charges and maximum cost ceiling
No charge for children and young people
Healthcare and medical treatment for children and young people is without charge for children and young people up to the year in which they reach the age of 19.
Maximum cost ceiling
The maximum cost ceiling means that you pay no more than SEK 900 for healthcare and medical treatment during a twelve-month period. The charges you pay are noted on the high-cost card, which you get at the out-patient department or surgery, or otherwise you can save your receipts.
When you have paid SEK 900 you are given a free pass, which is valid for the rest of the twelve-month period.
The maximum cost ceiling is valid for care and treatment within all County Councils and private care that is financed by the County Council. The maximum cost ceiling of Blekinge County Council also includes costs of vaccination against influenza and against pneumonia (pneumococcus vaccination).
Charges for certificates, vaccinations, health check-ups and other matters do not come under the maximum cost ceiling.
Note:
the maximum cost ceiling does not apply to nursing care as an in-patient in hospital or in another care institution.If you are kept waiting
If you have to wait for more than 30 minutes after the agreed time of an appointment, for instance at a care centre or outpatient department, you are entitled to a refund of the appointment charge.
When you have been waiting for more than 30 minutes, the staff must tell you of your right to this refund.
If your appointment or your treatment is cancelled
If your appointment for a consultation or for treatment is cancelled, you need not pay any care charge. As well as this, you can get a refund for your travelling expenses both ways.
If you have lost working income due to the appointment, you can get compensation if you submit a pay specification or a certificate showing that you have had a pay deduction.
If you fail to keep the appointment
If you cannot come to an appointment, you must say so. You should cancel the appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, if you fail to come you must pay SEK 250. Children and young people who fail to keep an appointment must pay SEK 100. These charges are not included in the maximum cost ceiling.
Charges for other county councils
You always pay the care charge which applies in the county council where you are going for care. If you choose to go for care outside Blekinge, the charges payable are those of that other county council.
If you fall ill when abroad
If you fall ill or have an accident when travelling in another country of the European Union (EU) or of the European Economic Area (EEA), you may be entitled to necessary medical care at the same care charges as for the people living in that country.
You must go to a doctor or to other care staff who have an agreement with the general health service of the country where you are. You must also have the European sickness insurance card with you. You order this card at the Swedish national insurance office.
Also in some other countries outside the EU or EEA, you are entitled to accident and emergency health care if Sweden has special agreements with the countries concerned.
The Swedish national insurance office does not pay for travel back home to Sweden of anyone due to illness or for transport home of anyone who has died. However, these costs can be covered by private insurances. The national insurance office can tell you more about the rules and regulations.
Questions on care charges
If you have questions about care charges you can ask the person who takes your payment.
Care charges for Blekinge, 2006
Going to the doctor in primary care
- Seeing the family doctor (the GP): SEK 120
- visiting the accident and emergency (A&E) or casualty department: SEK 250
Going to the doctor at the out-patient departments of the Blekinge Hospital (Blekingesjukhuset)
- Seeing a doctor and visiting an emergency (A&E) centre: SEK 250 - Seeing a doctor and being admitted as an in-patient as a result: SEK 250
Exceptions:
- First consultation after being referred (with certain exceptions): SEK 80
- Consultation after being referred for an X-ray examination: SEK 80
- Children and young people up to the end of the year in which they reach the age of 19: SEK 0
Going to a psychiatrist
- Going to an out-patient department or psychiatric emergency centre: SEK 120
Exception:
- Children and young people up to the end of the year in which they reach the age of 19: SEK 0
Going to a private doctor
At the surgery of a private doctor who has an agreement with the County Council or an arrangement for medical charge refunds, the charge for the visit is no more than for the same medical care under the County Council.
Care charges when you are an in-patient in the BlekingeHospital (Blekingesjukhuset) or in a psychiatric hospital
- Children and young people pay no charge up to the end of the year in which they reach the age of 19.
- Adults aged 20-64 pay SEK 80 per day. There are certain exceptions in psychiatric care.
- Adults aged 20-64 who have a gross income of less than SEK 8,000 a month pay SEK 40 per day after the 14th day.
- Senior citizens aged 65 and over pay SEK 80 per day.
- Senior citizens with a pension of less than SEK 6,000 a month pay SEK 40 per day after the 14th day.
- Those with early retirement pensions who are under the age of 40 pay SEK 40 per day.
- Going to the doctor before a surgical operation costs SEK 80.
Telephone services and e-mail services
- Prescription renewal etc: SEK 60
Exception:
- Children and young people up to the end of the year in which they reach the age of 19: SEK 0
Medical treatment when the care provider is not a doctor
- Seeing some other care provider than a doctor, for instance a nurse, almoner, audiologist, dietician or psychologist: SEK 80 Exceptions:
- Children and young people up to the end of the year in which they reach the age of 19: SEK 0
- Medical treatment when a doctor participates actively through being in touch with the care provider before or after treatment on the occasion concerned: SEK 120 or SEK 250
- Seeing a psychiatrist: SEK 120 • Seeing a district nurse: SEK 0
- Seeing a nurse in primary care: SEK 0 (this exception does not apply when you come out of normal surgery hours at an emergency centre or specialised nurses´ offices)
- Seeing a nursing assistant: SEK 0
- Seeing an occupational therapist in primary care in connection with adaptation of the home and trying out technical aids
Note that a charge is added in some cases of sampling for tests.
Sampling due to illness
- Sampling that is done on the same day as you see the doctor: SEK 0
- Other visits for sampling: SEK 80
Exceptions:
- Children and young people up to the end of the year in which they reach the age of 19: SEK 0
- Tests in primary care concerning blood fats, the thyroid, and diabetes at the time of seeing the doctor: SEK 0
- Sampling for tests at a district nurse´s: SEK 0
Actions taken that are not in connection with illness
- Hourly charge: SEK 1,128
- Basic charge for vaccination: SEK 300
- Gynaecological cell smear test check-up: SEK 120The hourly charge applies when you do not feel ill and have no symptoms but wish, for instance, to have a general health check-up
Vaccination against influenza and pneumonia
Normalcharge for vaccination against influenza and pneumonia:
- Basic charge: SEK 250
Vaccination against influenza and pneumonia (with pneumococcus vaccine) is free of charge for residents aged over 65.
Dental charges
- The charge for dental care is normally decided according to the official scale for dental care.
- Charge for dental care for brief treatment of illness or necessary dental care irrespective of the provider: SEK 100
Exception:
- Children and young people up to the end of the year in which they reach the age of 19: SEK 0
Note that the charge for dental care which is part of the treatment of illness and other necessary dental care comes under the maximum cost ceiling for medical care. A medical certificate is required.
Charges for disability aids
- Wigs and toupees come under a cost ceiling. You pay those costs which exceed SEK 4,500 per year. The costs include trying out and fitting.
- Loaning electronic nerve stimulators costs SEK 250 as your own contribution for six months.
- Loaning an anti-snoring device costs SEK 500 as your own contribution. The mask and filter are changed at cost price.
- Loaning elbow crutches and walking sticks costs SEK 80 for each item as your own contribution.
The charges do not apply to children and young people.
Charges for nutritional preparations and special foods
- For children and young people under the age of 16, charges are applicable according to Government rules.
- Patients who are over 16 and are taking more than 50 per cent of their nutrition by tube, pay SEK 600 per month.
- Patients who are over 16 and are taking more than 50 per cent of their nutrition by tube, pay SEK 1200 per month.
- The patient´s own contribution for gluten-free foods and protein-reduced products is SEK 250 per prescription.
- The patient´s own contribution for dietary supplements, other enriching preparations and thickeners is SEK 120 per prescription.
The charges for nutritional preparations and special foods do not apply when you are an in-patient in a hospital or some other care establishment.
Fax: 0455-802 50, E-post: landstinget.blekinge@ltblekinge.se