Sperm retrieval for medical reasons

In some cases, men can claim reimbursement for expenses they incur for medicines linked to the retrieval of sperm due to their desire to have children in the future. In order to have your expenses reimbursed, there must be a medical reason why the sperm need to be retrieved.

The treatment is relevant when a person is at risk of becoming sterile for medical reasons, e.g. as a result of cancer treatment. In such cases, it may be appropriate to extract sperm so that the patient can attempt to have children at some point in the future. This treatment is considered to be part of later infertility treatment.

In order to receive support for the treatment, your expenses must first amount to at least NOK 20,176, which is the personal contribution as of 1 January 2024. The personal contribution is adjusted every year. The personal contribution is the same as in the case of contributions to medicines for infertility treatment.

You may be entitled to contributions regardless of where your treatment is provided, and it is not important whether the treatment is provided by a public or private hospital.

What can you get support for?

Contributions can be given for hormone preparations and preparations which either directly or indirectly affect the sex hormones and reproductive ability. Expenses for syringes and needles are considered to be part of the drug expenses for infertility treatment. For more information, see the circular concerning section 5-22 of the National insurance scheme.

Changes in the circular concerning section 5-22 in the National insurance scheme

The regional health authorities have taken over the financing responsibility for the retrieval of eggs with a view to future child wishes, including drug treatment. Helfo can still make a contribution to drug treatment when it is introduced later.

Remember documentation

The doctor or hospital department must provide a statement stating that medical reasons necessitate the retrieval of sperm as a result of the patient’s desire to have children in the future. The statement must be sent to Helfo, together with documentation of your expenses.

Keep your receipts. Your personal contribution in connection with the retrieval of your sperm may later be considered as a basis for contributions for infertility treatment.

You must submit a claim for reimbursement to Helfo within six months of reaching the personal contribution amount. The deadline for submitting an application for reimbursement for expenses for medicines will start to count down when you reach the personal contribution limit.

Send your application to Helfo

​You will need to include itemised receipts (or pharmacy lists) as attachments. These must include:

  • the name of the patient
  • the names of the medicines
  • the prices of the medicines
  • date of purchase
  • the name of the prescribing doctor

You will also need the treating doctor to complete the medical certificate that forms part of the form below.

You will find a link to the claim form for reimbursement below (in Norwegian). On the same form, you will find the declaration which your doctor must complete.

You will find useful information about submitting digital forms here(only in Norwegian.)

If you are unable to use our digital form, you can fill in the following form instead:

Send your form together with original itemised receipts to Helfo, Postboks 2415, 3104 Tønsberg.

Future infertility treatment

Any subsequent infertility treatment will be covered by the rules concerning support for expenses relating to medicines linked to infertility treatment and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) treatment.

Content provided by Helfo

Helfo. Sperm retrieval for medical reasons. [Internet]. Oslo: The Norwegian Directorate of Health; updated Wednesday, March 6, 2024 [retrieved Thursday, November 14, 2024]. Available from: https://www.helsenorge.no/en/refusjon-og-stotteordninger/egg-and-sperm-retrieval-for-medical-reasons/

Last updated Wednesday, March 6, 2024