Statens helsetilsyn has concluded a formal investigation into Austad Diagnostikk, ruling that the private clinic chain breaks the law on key points regarding patient safety, resource use, and marketing. Operating 15 clinics across Norway, the company generated nearly 75 million kroner in revenue last year by selling ultrasound health checks to thousands of healthy clients.
Statens helsetilsyn, Norway’s overarching regulatory body for health and care services, issued its official conclusion. The 25-page document, signed by Director Sjur Lehmann, states that Austad Diagnostikk’s business model involves substantial deviations from good medical practice. According to the regulator, the company’s practice of offering ultrasound screenings to asymptomatic individuals creates the impression of a preventative health check, leading to unnecessary expenses and wasted time for patients.
Investigators reviewed nearly 200 patient journals during the probe. The findings detail multiple statutory violations:
- Breach of the specialist health service act’s requirement for professional adequacy.
- Breach of the health personnel act regarding resource utilization, patient and relative information, and marketing.
- Operating laboratory and X-ray activities without the required regulatory approvals.
Criticism From Public Healthcare Leaders
The regulatory action follows years of warnings from public health officials. Municipal Chief Medical Officer Cato Innerdal in Molde has spent years publicly criticizing the clinic chain, arguing that its commercial model places an avoidable burden on the public healthcare system through the follow-up of benign findings.
Reacting to the decision, Innerdal expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “I think it is good that we now have a clear clarification from Statens helsetilsyn,” he told NRK, noting that the comprehensive assessment sets a benchmark for the industry and ensures that commercial health services build on documented utility.
Innerdal added that the ruling will likely impact other enterprises offering similar health screenings by establishing a firm standard for factual information, balanced marketing, and solid clinical foundations.
Company Response and Next Steps
Austad Diagnostikk expanded rapidly in recent years, with its 2025 revenue of nearly 75 million kroner more than doubling its earnings from 2021. The company markets its ultrasound checks primarily via social media, with prices ranging between 2,990 and 4,890 kroner per scan across its 15 nationwide locations, which include Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim, Stavanger, and Tromsø.
Managing Director Gunnar Austad told NRK that he received the conclusion and would review the findings thoroughly before issuing a detailed comment. Austad has previously rejected criticism from public physicians and the Norwegian Medical Association—which accused the chain of exploiting health anxiety—maintaining that the clinic’s services provide essential value to patients.
Statens helsetilsyn has given Austad Diagnostikk a deadline of November 1 to explain how the company intends to rectify the identified legal violations and alter its marketing practices.
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