How to reach a doctor in Sweden
Understanding a country's healthcare system is challenging. However, the system must be understood immediately since it is a vital issue. So and so, for newcomers in Sweden, apprehending the healthcare system is the first subject on the to-do list.
Sweden offers universal healthcare to all residents and visitors, regardless of nationality. The system is primarily funded through taxes, ensuring that access to medical care is a fundamental right. In this article, we will delve into the Swedish healthcare system and explore how to reach a doctor step by step.
Step 1: Registering with the Swedish Tax Agency
The first crucial step is registering with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). To access healthcare services in Sweden, you need a personal identification number (personnummer). This number is the key to unlocking the healthcare system. To obtain it, you must be a registered resident, which includes staying in Sweden for at least a year.
Step 2: Choosing a healthcare provider
In Sweden, you are free to choose your healthcare provider. You can select a public healthcare provider or a private one. Public providers offer comprehensive healthcare services, while private providers often offer more specialized and expedited services.
Step 3: Booking an appointment
You'll need to book an appointment to reach a doctor in Sweden. You can do this in two ways: Online or by phone. Many healthcare facilities have websites where you can book appointments. The most popular platform is "1177 Vårdguiden," an online portal to schedule appointments, renew prescriptions, and find information about various health issues. You can also call your healthcare facility directly to make an appointment. Be prepared to speak Swedish or have someone assist you if you don't speak the language fluently.
Step 4: Visiting the doctor
Once you've booked your appointment, it's time to visit the doctor. On the day of your appointment, arrive at the clinic or hospital a little early, especially if it's your first visit. Your ID card and a small payment will be asked at the reception desk.
Step 5: Paying for Healthcare Services
In most cases, you'll only need to pay a small fee, known as the "patient fee." This fee covers most services, but there might be additional charges for prescription medications.
Patient fees vary from county to county. A doctor's appointment at a health center costs between 100-300 SEK. If you have an appointment with a specialist, it costs between 200-350 SEK, and a visit to the emergency room will cost you about 220-400 SEK. In case of being hospitalized, a maximum of 100 SEK a day. You pay for nothing else.
One of the best aspects of the Swedish healthcare system is the high-cost protection (Högkostnadsskydd) rule. This rule prevents patients from paying more than 100 SEK for healthcare per month. That means you are not supposed to pay when you spend over 1,100 SEK in a year. Yet, this rule doesn't include daily hospital fees, vaccinations, dental care or appointments you fail to show up.
If you have a chronicle disease
When you move to Sweden, reaching a specialist doctor might take some time if you have a chronic disease. Because Swedish doctors will want you to have some tests to diagnose your disease although it was already done in your country. But it's possible to make this process shorter.
To start your treatment in Sweden as soon as possible, we recommend you bring a report about your already diagnosed disease and the medicines you are on. This report must be written in English by the doctor who monitors your disease in your country and must have an official sign proof written by the doctor. If you are on regular medicines, you should bring a spare if reaching the specialist doctor takes a long.
Written by Sule Kaya Hult