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On January 1, 2020, Helfo introduced a quantity limit on various types of medical equipment for people with a bowel movement.
The changes resulted in many thousands of crowns in additional expenses for people with a bowel movement. Some have taken out consumer loans to buy the equipment they depend on, and parents have limited their children’s activity level to save on the equipment.
The Minister of Health, Bent Høie (H), has also been involved in the case, and SV in particular has asked the minister to act at the Storting. A number of strong user stories have also been featured in the media.
The corona vaccine will be free
The authorities turn around
Earlier this month, it became clear that Helfo turned to the part of the cuts that had to do with gel-forming granules, a thickener for people with an established intestinal need.
Dagbladet can now report that Helfo reverses the other important restrictions as well. Restrictions on plaque extenders and adhesive removers for ostomy users will be lifted as of November 1, according to Dagbladet.
The decision was made on Tuesday, Dagbladet was told.
Anyone who had additional expenses as a result of the restrictions will get their money back.
Savings measures: 4.7 million
Høie has always been aware that he has been greatly affected by the many patient stories told in the time after the restrictions became news material.
The government’s own calculations showed that the state saved a total of NOK 4.7 million a year on the restrictions that were introduced. By comparison, the state budget for 2021 was around 1,515. billion NOK.
Helfo has claimed that they first introduced the restrictions on the basis of a professional assessment, not as savings measures.
Clip restrictions remain
Restrictions on clips and belts are maintained. The reason for removing the ceiling only on adhesive removers and plate extenders is that these are disposable products that cannot be reused.
Clips can be used multiple times, as can belts.
Roy Aleksander Farstad, CEO of the Norwegian Association for Ostomy, Pouch and Gastrointestinal Cancer, is unfamiliar with the news when contacted by Dagbladet.
– But we are very relieved about this. Many Norwegians are having a much better daily life now.
You can save a lot of money
Farstad says it is individual how much an ostomy patient now saves from their own expenses.
– But for some people it is about tens of thousands of crowns a year, says Farstad, who arrives with a prayer in the moment of jubilation:
– We hope that we, as users, participate better and listen to us better in any changes that apply to us in the coming years.
