Support and Wellbeing

Research has shown that pilots are at a higher risk for skin cancer than the general population, melanomas in particular. Húðlæknastöðin dermatological center offers special appointments for pilots, specifically advertised. Those who use such appointments will take part in a group study on the condition and development of pilots’ skin.

We recomend that FÍA members have an annual dermatological examination.

Hér is an article from the Húðlæknastöð, specifically aimed at pilots.

A dermatological examination is also available to EFÍA members due to the investigative interests of FÍA Sickness Fund members.

Blood samples are drawn at Læknasetrið’s research facilities at Þönglabakki, which is open Monday–Friday between 8:30–17:00. Pilots must announce their arrival in the reception and say that they have come for a blood test organised by FÍA. Pilots do not pay anything for their first visit, but if the conclusions must be followed up with more tests, they must pay their portion of the cost of further testing.

It is recommended that members have a blood test every 2–3 years.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO FAST BEFORE A BLOOD TEST (approx. 6 hours)

The following tests are carried out:

• Blood count (haemoglobin, etc.)
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar level
• Liver function tests (ASAT, ALAT)
• Kidney function tests (creatinine)
• PSA (prostate cancer) for men over 50.

The results are sent by mail as soon as possible, along with recommendations on further action, if necessary. Results can also be obtained by contacting physician Sigurður Árnason by e-mail, sigurdurarna@hss.is or in the event of emergencies, by telephone, +354 860 0192.

Blood testing is also available to EFÍA members due to the investigative interests of FÍA Sickness Fund members.

The Sickness Fund provides financial support for funeral services for its members, their spouses or children. The FÍA pension fund also pays death benefits for EFÍA pensioners.

The amount granted is 1.000.000 ISK.

Members of EFÍA can have their dermatological tests and blood samples paid for by the FÍA Sickness fund.

The Sickness Fund provides a grant to members who have to buy glasses or contact lenses.

• The grant is a maximum of 90.000.- ISK
• You can apply every 24 months, contact lense wearers should collect their receipts and submit a single application for each period.

A copy of the invoice shall be attached to the application.

The Sickness Fund pays in full for Phonak ear plugs. Book an appointment with Einar Jón Einarsson, tel. +354 561 8500 (from 08Þ00-17:00) or by email heyrdu@heyrdu.is and he will take measurements and order the plugs. The delivery time is 12 weeks. See more at the Heyrðu - Scandinavian Hearing website, www.heyrdu.is

The FÍA Sickness Fund provides a grant to members who have to buy hearing aids. The grant covers costs of up to ISK 300.000, and applications can be made every 24 months.

All members over the age of forty are encouraged to undergo a heart examination and stress test at Hjartavernd (the Icelandic Heart Association).

To book a free appointment, simply contact Hjartavernd, tel. 535 1800, and say that you are a FÍA member.

Women are encouraged to have a cancer screening every two years, a cervical swab as well as a breast examination for women over 40.

An appointment can be booked at the Landspítali Breast center - screening and diagnosis. Please make an appointment by calling 513 6700 between 8:30 and 12:00. Members have to pay for these services and then apply for a reimbursement through the health and sickness fund.

It is suggested that female pilots have an examination every two years.

The FÍA Sickness Fund supports members who undergo laser eye surgery. ISK 150,000 is paid per eye.

It is recommended that people over the age of 50 undergo a colonoscopy.

You can book an appointment with gastroenterologist Jón Örvar Kristinsson by e-mailing jonorvar@simnet.is.
If no illness is found, and there is no family history of colon cancer, the examination does not have to be repeated for another 10 years.

The fund has also reached an agreement with the Digestive Clinic - Meltingarklíníkan in Ármúli. It is located in Ármúli 9, 108 Reykjavík.

• You can make an appointment by calling 519-7025 or 519-7000 (then select 2) ( Guðrún Gunnarsdóttir, health data scientist)
• You can also send and e-mail to mottaka@meltingarklinikin.is
• More info: https://www.klinikin.is/contact
• When colonoscopy is booked please state that you are a member with FÍA.

More information about preparation and colonoscopy can be found on Google: colonoscopy - no problem and also colonoscopy clinics.

Members are asked to pay the invoice and apply for a reimbursement through the application form on the FIA website after the appointment.

The health fund has decided to participate in the cost involved for joint replacement surgeries.

• The health fund pays 50% of the total cost up to a maximum of 700.000 ISK

The Sickness fund supports its members, their spouses, and children under the age of 18, with a maximum of five session with the following professionals:

Líf og sál psychologists' office:

• Tel: +354 511-5508
  Email: lifogsal@lifogsal.is Website: lifogsal.is
• When you book an appointment with Líf and sál, you must explain that FÍA should receive the invoice.

Sól - Psychological services for children, young people, and their families

• Tel: 532-1500, E-mail: afgreidsla@sol.is, Website: www.sol.is
• When you book an appointment with Sol, you must explain that FÍA should receive the invoice.

Rudólf Adolfsson psychiatric nurse

• Tel: +354 821-1299
• Specifies in trauma therapy
• Invoice sent to FÍA

Magnús Stefánsson - Alcohol, addiction and family counselor

• Tel: 897-1759, E-mail: magnusstef@simnet.is, Website: www.magnússtef.is
• Offers interviews at his clinic or via internet
• When you book an appointment with Magnús, you must explain that FÍA should receive the invoice.

Værð - Remote psychologists´ office

• Email: vaerd@vaerd.is, website: www.vaerd.is
• When you book an appointment with Værð you must explain that FÍA should receive the invoice.

Other mental health professionals

• Members can use whatever psychological service providers they please, but they must then pay for the services and apply for a refund, minus the tax.

You can apply for grant from the FÍA Sickness fund due to repeated musculoskeletal therapy session from a professionally acknowledged therapist, such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, therapeutic masseur, osteopathologist or chiropractor.

• Maximum support per calendar year is ISK 150.000.-
• Taxes are deducted from the amount paid
• Only therapy sessions are paid for

FÍA’s physician, Dr. Hannes Petersen, does not have fixed working hours at FÍA, but those who wish to see him can contact FÍA’s office or email him at laeknir@fia.is.

The Sickness Fund provides grant to members for fertility services (e.g. IVF, ovulation stimulation, assisted reproduction), whether they apply to themselves or their spouse. It also provides support in relation to adoption.

• The grant amounts to ISK 450.000 per calendar year.
• An adoption grant of ISK 150.000 is also available.

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Members who suffer from sleep apnea and need to use a sleep ventilator can apply for a grant from the health and sickness fund to purchase the needed equipment.

The grant amount is ISK 150.000 and is paid once every 60 months.

The application must be accompanied by receipts for the purchase of the equipment and a doctors note confirming the member´s need for such equipment.

• The health fund pays 50% of the total cost up to a maximum of 700.000 ISK once

Members of FIA can apply for a 250.000 ISK grant for the birth of their child. Birth certificate or an equivalent confirmation of birth from Register Iceland (or national registration entity) is required with the application. In case of a miscarriage after 18 weeks of pregnancy or stillbirth, 50% of the grant is paid.

The grant is subject to income tax. "

Members have the opportunity to receive a grant for out-of-pocket expenses due to major dental operations.

• The fund pays 75% of the cost that exceeds ISK 150.000.
• The grant is a maximum of ISK 300.000.
• You can apply every 24 months.

For example, if an individual receives a bill for ISK 300.000 the grant will be ISK 112.500 which is 75% of ISK 150.000.

In cases where members complete the employers paid sick leave, they can apply for a grant for continued sick leave for a maximum of 6 months. The monthly grant amount is based on the average basic salary of FÍA pilots/captains on the first scale of their employer.

The application must be accompanied by a statement explaining the illness as well as a note from the confidential doctor of the employer, FÍA or Icelandic Transport Authority which confirms and specifies illness period.