heilbrigðiskerfi

heilbrigðiskerfi refers to the public health care system of Iceland. It provides universal health coverage to residents and is funded primarily through taxation and the Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands). Services are delivered largely by publicly run providers, with Landspítali—the National University Hospital of Iceland—serving as the largest hospital and a central hub for specialist care.

Organisation and delivery: Primary care is organized through municipal health centers and general practitioners contracted by the system. For most specialist services, patients are referred by their GP. Public hospitals provide hospital care and emergency services; waiting times and prioritization mechanisms are used to manage demand.

Financing and access: The system is financed through public funds and the Icelandic Health Insurance. Residents typically pay small out-of-pocket costs for some services and medicines, but coverage is designed to keep essential care affordable, with exemptions and caps for certain groups, such as low-income earners, the elderly, and disabled people.

Private sector and international aspects: Private clinics and specialists operate alongside the public system, offering elective services and supplementary insurance options. Some residents obtain private coverage for faster access or additional services, and Iceland participates in cross-border healthcare arrangements under the wider European Economic Area framework.

Strengths and challenges: The heilbrigðiskerfi provides universal coverage and generally high-quality care. Geographic dispersion, a small population, and resource constraints pose ongoing challenges, including wait times for elective procedures and recruiting healthcare workers to remote areas. Policy reforms focus on improving efficiency, access, and sustainability while preserving equity.