Changes to the blue prescription from 2026 – what does it mean for families?

What changes?

Asthma or COPD

From January 1:

• • The doctor must write a new type of blue prescription for equipment used to measure or take medication (for example, inhalation equipment).

• • You will need to get a new prescription written after the New Year.

Some equipment is completely removed from the blue receptor system.

Among other things:

• • PEF meters (measures lung capacity)

• • some oxygen catheters

This means that they are no longer automatically covered on a blue prescription.

If you still need this, the doctor can apply for individual benefits (coverage).
You should not write the application yourself.

Diabetes

• • The scheme for diabetes equipment is divided more clearly.

• • Equipment used to measure blood sugar and administer insulin is given its own prescriptions.

Do you have a valid prescription before January 1, 2026? You can use it until it expires.

Hip protectors

Hip protectors are no longer covered on blue prescriptions from January 1, 2026.

Do you have a valid prescription before New Year's? It is valid until it expires.

Ichthyosis

People with the skin disease ichthyosis now receive coverage for necessary medical consumables on a blue prescription.

This is moved into the blue receptor system from another system.

Some patient groups get new responsibilities

For certain diagnoses, responsibility is shifted from the blue prescription (National Insurance) to the hospitals.

This applies, among other things:

• • Hemorrhagic disease

• • Growth hormone therapy

• • After kidney transplantation

• • After removal of the larynx (laryngectomy)

From January 1, 2026:

• • Blue prescriptions no longer apply to these groups.

• • Equipment must be requested from a hospital doctor.

This does not mean that you lose your rights, but that it is the hospital that will arrange it, not the GP via a prescription.

What should you do now?

Check if you or your child are using equipment that could be affected.
If you need new equipment after the New Year, you can ask your doctor to write a new prescription according to the new rules.
If something is taken out of the scheme, ask the doctor to consider an individual application.

Do you already have a valid blue prescription before January 1, 2026? It can be used until it expires.

This applies to you if…

This applies to you if your child has asthma or COPD

• You must get a new blue prescription written after January 1, 2026 for inhalation equipment and the like.
• PEF meters and some oxygen catheters are no longer automatically covered.
• If you still need such equipment, the doctor must apply separately.

Talk to your GP. 

This applies to you if your child has diabetes

• Equipment for measuring blood sugar and administering insulin will receive clearer prescriptions.
• If you have a valid blue prescription before the New Year, it can be used until it expires.

You don't need to do anything before the prescription expires.

This applies to you if your child uses hip protectors.

• Hip protectors are no longer covered on blue prescriptions from January 1, 2026.
• Existing prescriptions are valid until they expire.

After that, you must cover the cost yourself.

This applies to you if your child has ichthyosis

• Medical consumables are now covered via a blue prescription.
• The scheme becomes more predictable and similar to other blue prescriptions.

Talk to your doctor about a prescription if you don't already have one.

This applies to you if your child has hemorrhagic disease, growth hormone therapy, or has a kidney transplant

• Equipment should no longer be ordered via a regular prescription from a GP.
• It is the hospital that will requisition and be responsible.

Contact the hospital if you are unsure how to get the equipment now.

More information

Here you can read what Helfo writes about the changes.