Sickness benefits

Health insurance and benefits while ill or after an accident

To be covered by the health insurance administered by  the Icelandic Health Insurance [Sjúkratryggingar Íslands], the person concerned shall have been resident in Iceland for at least six months from the time of registration with the National Register, Þjóðskrá.

Treatment by a doctor and hospital visits

An insured person is assured of free hospital visits or care with other institutions according to a referral by a doctor. The Icelandic Health Insurance will also pay in full or in part for outpatient medical care, medicine, appliances/help and therapy as well as other type of help. In most cases the patient will pay a fixed charge.

Dental care

The Icelandic Health Insurance is not involved in the cost of dental care for adults apart from exceptional cases such as serious consequences of congenital defects, accidents and illnesses. The Icelandic Health Insurance will reimburse part of the cost for dental treatment (according to ministry rates) for children and young people up to the age of 18 and for old-age and disability pensioners.

Dental costs are not regulated. The patient is obliged to pay the difference if the dentist’s costs are higher than the ministry rate.

Therapy and rehabilitation

The Icelandic Health Insurance pays part of the insured person’s costs of sickness, occupational and logopaedic therapy according to predetermined rules. A doctor’s referral shall be presented before the therapy is commenced.

Sickness daily benefits

Persons who are unable to work because of sickness may be entitled to sickness benefits from The Icelandic Health Insurance if the entitlement to sick pay according to a collective agreement has expired but for no more than 52 weeks. The amount is the same for everybody.

The Icelandic Health Insurance’s accident insurance

The Icelandic Health Insurance normally covers occupational accidents, accidents when involved in sport with recognised sport associations as well as accidents during rescue work if certain conditions are met. Payment is made as an accident benefit when the entitlement to wages according to a collective agreement has expired, invalidity or death benefit and reimbursement of sickness costs.