A technical aid is a product that helps to improve a person´s ability to function, compensate for functional impairment and achieve or maintain the most independent coping in everyday life. Technical aids can be purchased with a state discount. Technical aids include diaper, crutches, wheelchairs, diapers, commode chairs, shower chairs, hearing aids, etc.
All residents of Estonia who have a verified need for a technical aid will henceforth be able to obtain the necessary technical aid with state support. It will no longer be necessary to undergo a disability or work capacity assessment.
A doctor or specialist will assess the need for the technical aid and issue a certificate if necessary. Based on this certificate, the state will cover part of the cost of the technical aid.
Individuals who are entitled to technical aids at discounted prices
- In the case of children up to 18 years of age the state compensates 90%
- The state discount for adults depending on the specific technical aid
- The state reimburses 95% to the recipient of the subsistence benefit
When purchasing a technical aid, your co-payment is always a minimum of 7 euros. The co-payment may be less than 7 euros for the following technical aids:
- self-care and protective aids provided under a monthly limit;
- technical aids provided in limited quantities up to the reference price per calendar year;
- rented technical aids.
We calculate the technical aid discount from the ceiling price given in the list of technical aids.
How to get a technical aid at a discounted price?
An aid certificate is required to buy or rent a technical aid from the respective companies at a discounted price. The certificate must be on paper.
The technical aid certificate shows what kind of technical aid you need. Contact your family physician, general practitioner, resident physician, medical specialist, nurse, midwife, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, audiologist or speech therapist for the certification. The need for a technical aid may also be specified in your personal rehabilitation plan. Different specialists are authorised to issue aid certificates for different technical aids; further information is available in the list of technical aids (307.46 KB, PDF, in Estonian) and in the technical aid search engine.
Information about your transactions for purchasing or renting of technical aids is available in the self-service environment of the board.
If you an aid certificate, visit a company providing technical aids. Bring along an identity document. The discounts provided by the state are available at the companies which have concluded a contract with the Social Insurance Board. You can find the most suitable aid provider for you on website of the Social Insurance Board by using the map application.
Applying for an exception
In justified cases, it is possible to apply for an exception. An application for a exception must be submitted to the Social Insurance Board before purchasing the technical aid (it is not possible to apply for an exception if you have already completed the transaction).
Exceptions can be applied for in the following cases.
- To reduce the self-contribution. If your financial situation does not allow you to pay the self-contribution, the Social Insurance Board can reduce the self-contribution for an assistive device to as low as five percent of its cost. To do this, an application for the reduction of the self-contribution must be submitted.
When processing the application, the applicant's financial situation is assessed, taking into account the income, monthly obligations for assistive devices, and the subsistence level of the applicant (or their legal representative in the case of children). To achieve this, we may verify data related to the applicant's income and benefits from state information systems and databases, including the Social Protection Information System and the databases of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, pursuant to § 51(3) of the Social Welfare Act and § 7(1) of Regulation No. 74. If the data obtained from the state information systems and databases do not allow for a sufficient assessment of the applicant's financial situation, we may request additional documents from the applicant (e.g., a bank statement). - For buying a new technical aid because your previous technical aid is no longer compliant with your needs (for example your hearing or vision have deteriorated; the technical aid has become too small as the child has grown; the technical aid has been destroyed in an accident, etc.).
- You need a technical aid which is not included in the list of technical aids (307.46 KB, PDF, in Estonian), but you cannot cope without the technical aid in your daily life.
- You need a larger amount of the technical aid than is being provided with a discount from the state. An increased amount can be applied for if there is a justified need to use a larger amount due to the specific diagnosis or functional disorder (for example the child requires one standing desk at home and another at the kindergarten or school).
- The cost of the technical aid is higher than the reference price on the basis of which the discount provided by the state is calculated. Please note! The reference price is increased if no suitable technical aids can be found within the limits of the reference price.
- You would like to rent a technical aid which is only available for purchase or you would like to buy a technical aid which is only available for renting. This can be applied for if there is a justified need.
The documents required to apply for an exception
- Application for exception for partial reimbursement of technical aid
- A copy of the aid certificate specifying which technical aid is required. The aid required may also be specified in the personal rehabilitation plan. If the need for a technical aid is specified in the rehabilitation plan, it is not necessary to submit this document to the Social Insurance Board. A detailed therapist’s assessment (or video) on the appropriateness of the specific technical aid and the need for the aid may also be added to the certificate.
- In certain cases, two quotations from different companies which have been drawn up on equal grounds must also be submitted. The quotations must be added if you would like to apply for increasing the reference price, buy a technical aid not included in the list of technical aids, buy a technical aid available for renting or rent a technical aid available for purchase, or buy a technical aid which does not have a reference price in the list of technical aids. Please note! If only one company offers the suitable technical aid, you can only add one quotation to the application. Please specify this information under the explanations in your application.
- Additional documents
- If you have been appointed as the guardian of another individual, please add a copy of the court ruling.
- If you are the representative of another individual, please add the authorisation.
Where to send the application?
- you can submit your application via the Social Insurance Board’s self-service platform
- send documents by e-mail to [email protected]
- send by post to Paldiski mnt 80, 15092 Tallinn, Estonia
- it is also possible to fill out the application and submit the documents at the customer service of the Social Insurance Board.
How long does it take to receive the decision?
Therapists will review the documents submitted and contact you to specify any details, if necessary. If you have submitted all documents required for reviewing the application, the decision will be sent to you within 30 days.
How to receive your technical aid?
If your application is approved, please take your identity document to the company providing the technical aid. The certificate must always remain in your possession.
You can read more about paying for technical aids and contacting companies on the website of the Social Insurance Board.
Technical aid necessary for work
A person who needs a technical aid necessary for work only, i.e. not for home or other leisure activity, must submit an application to the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
A case manager will assess whether a person needs a technical aid for performing their duties and determine which technical aid is suitable and given to them free of charge to be used until the end of their employment, but not longer than for three years. The contract concluded for the use of the technical aid may be extended if the technical aid is still necessary for the person for performing their duties.
A person who needs a technical aid necessary for work and everyday life must submit an application to the Social Insurance Board.
To determine which opportunities exist for eliminating the restrictions arising from a disability or state of health during working, contact an office of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and arrange a meeting with a case manager.
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Related articles
References
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Laws
- Tervisekassa meditsiiniseadmete loetelu
- Abivahendite loetelu, tasu maksmise kohustuse ülevõtmise tingimused ning abivahendi tõendi ja kaardi andmed
- General Part of the Social Code Act
- Health Insurance Act
- Social Welfare Act
- Medical Devices Act