Medical oxygen

Kela pays reimbursements at the basic rate for medical oxygen and the cost of oxygen containers and liquid oxygen units. The basic rate of reimbursement is 40%.

You can get the reimbursement once you meet the initial deductible.

The reimbursement is paid for a maximum period of three months. No reimbursement is paid for the cost of an oxygen enricher, the transportation of medical oxygen, or assistive equipment such as nasal cannulas.

Medical oxygen, oxygen containers and oxygen units are not reimbursed directly. You must apply for the reimbursement from Kela afterwards.

How to claim reimbursement for medical oxygen

1. Fill in the form Medicine expenses incurred in Finland SV 178e (PDF). If the medicine expenses were incurred abroad, fill in the form Medical care expenses incurred abroad SV 128e (PDF)
2. Save the completed application form on your device. Note that the form must be in PDF format.
3. Send the application via the OmaKela e-service:

   • Log in to OmaKela (available in Finnish and Swedish) and select Tee hakemus (File an application).
   • Select Sairaanhoito ja lääkkeet and then Hae sairaanhoito- tai lääkekorvausta.
   • Select the application form on your device and press Lähetä.
   • When you send your application online you do not need to sign it.
4. Send us

   • the invoice by the oxygen provider
   • proof of payment
   • a valid prescription or copy thereof (unless you have submitted it to Kela earlier)
     • If your prescription has already been submitted to Kela, make sure that it remains valid.
5. If you have supporting documents, send them via OmaKela after you have submitted your application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph or scan them.

Another option is to send the application by mail:

• Sign the form and send it with the supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

When to apply

File your application within 6 months of purchasing the medical oxygen.

Additional reimbursement

The medical oxygen costs you have to pay yourself count towards the initial deductible and the annual maximum limit on out-of-pocket costs.

Once you reach the annual maximum limit, you become entitled to an additional reimbursement for the rest of the year. This means that you only have to pay EUR 0.21 (exceptional medicine-specific copayment) for each week you purchase oxygen for. For a three-month treatment period, the total copayment is EUR 2.50. You only pay one copayment even if you use several different oxygen containers and liquid oxygen units.

You can also authorise the oxygen provider to apply for the additional reimbursement for you. Complete and submit to Kela the power of attorney form Handling of matters related to Kela benefits VAL 3e (PDF).

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