Helsetilbudet

Helsetilbudet is the term used to describe the total set of health and care services available to residents through the public health system in Norway. The system is designed to provide universal access to preventive, diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care across different levels of care, with municipalities responsible for primary care and hospitals organized under regional health authorities.

Scope and components: Primary health care is delivered by municipal services and general practitioners (fastleger) within the fastlegeordningen, complemented by home care, nursing homes and other municipal services. Secondary and tertiary care consists of hospital-based specialist services provided by publicly funded hospitals and regional health authorities. Preventive services include vaccination programs, screenings and maternal and child health initiatives. Mental health services and rehabilitation are part of the helsetilbudet. Dental care for children and certain groups is publicly funded, while general adult dental care is largely provided privately.

Access and rights: The Patient and User Rights Act guarantees residents information, consent and access to necessary health services, with some services requiring referral from a GP for specialist care. Residents can choose a general practitioner within the national list of family doctors. Emergency care is provided, and most services involve patient co-payments, though schemes such as a frikort may exempt those with high health expenses or low income.

Financing and governance: Health services are primarily funded through taxes and the national insurance scheme (folketrygden). Governance combines municipal responsibility for primary care with regional health authorities overseeing hospitals, guided by national directives and supervision from the Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision.