Worthwhile to follow medicine expenses

If you have bought a lot of prescription medication this year, it is worthwhile to check the amount built up from the amounts that you have paid yourself. The copayments in connection with the reimbursements for medicine expenses will be reset to zero at year-end.

 In 2023, the annual maximum is set at 626,94 euros. If you reach the annual maximum, you only pay a 2.50 euro copayment for each reimbursable medicine for the rest of the year.

If you exceed the annual maximum, the pharmacy will get information about this directly from Kela. You can also yourself follow how your annual maximum builds up in OmaKela.

You should note that the annual maximum concerns the calendar year, which means that the build-up will be reset to zero at year-end. If you have exceeded the annual maximum, you should use the option of receiving additional reimbursement for the medicine expenses for the rest of the year.

Also remember that the reimbursements for medicine expenses also have an initial deductible. This means that every year you pay for your medicines yourself up to the amount of 50 euros, and only after that can you get reimbursement for your medicine expenses from Kela.

The Government proposes to increase the initial deductible on reimbursements for medicine expenses from EUR 50 to EUR 70. In addition, the initial deductible would be tied to the National Pensions Index, so that the initial deductible would then be index adjusted every year. If the legislative amendment is approved by Parliament, the changes will enter into force on 1 January 2025.

Read more: Annual maximum limit on out-of-pocket costs.