A technical aid is a product that helps to:

• improve a person's ability to function
• compensate for functional impairment
• achieve or maintain the most independent coping in everyday life.

Technical aids include trolleys, walkers, commode chairs, diapers, orthopaedic shoes, hearing aids, etc.

A medical device is a device that can be used independently at home to

• treat illnesses and injuries, or
• prevent the illness from worsening.

Medical devices include, for example, accessories for measuring and correcting blood glucose levels in diabetics (glucometer test strips, lancets, insulin needles), insoles, orthoses including individual orthoses, etc.

To obtain a technical aid for your child, you can consult a family physician, general practitioner, resident physician, medical specialist, nurse or midwife, as well as an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, audiologist, or speech therapist. The need for a technical aid may also be indicated in the rehabilitation plan. The physician or specialist notes the need for a technical aid on the physical certificate for the technical aid.

You need to present the certificate for the technical aid to a company providing technical aids. The state allowance can be used in companies that have signed a contract with the Social Insurance Board. To buy or rent a technical aid, you must have an identity document in addition to the physical certificate.

You can find information on buying and renting technical aids for your child at the Social Insurance Board’s self-service environment.

The need for a medical device is determined by the attending physician. The physician will issue a digital medical device card for your child (Note! Physical cards do not exist). On the Health Portal, you can view medical device cards and prescriptions.

Once the card has been issued by your physician, you can go to a pharmacy and buy the medical device prescribed by your physician at a discount. To do this, you will need to present an identity document and the child’s personal identification number (you do not need to bring the child’s identity document).

When you buy a medical device , the Estonian Health Insurance Fund reimburses those that are included in the list of medical devices. The Estonian Health Insurance Fund reimburses medical devices at either a 90% or 50% discount of the maximum price. Different amounts of devices are reimbursed depending on the patient’s age, the severity of the illness, etc.

The items on the list of technical aids are subject to limits based on which the state allowance is calculated. Children up to the age of 18 receive a 90% state discount when renting or purchasing a technical aid.

Please note!

When purchasing a technical aid, it is possible in justified cases to apply for an exception. For example, if the child needs a technical aid that is not on the list of technical aids or if the family’s finances prevent them from paying own contribution.

Before the technical aid is purchased, an exception application must be submitted to the Social Insurance Board. If the transaction is already done, an exception cannot be applied for.

Social Insurance Board - Technical aids
Tervisekassa - Medical devices
Riigiportaal - Technical aids