Overview
There is a primarily publicly funded healthcare and social security service, run by the federal government, which organizes and regulates healthcare. Healthcare is provided in the form of independent private practitioners and public, university and semi-private hospitals and care institutions. There are a few private hospitals. Current legislation and policy aims to strengthen primary care and stimulate innovation in care so the costs of the health care remain payable to the social security.
All citizens must join a sickness fund of their choice. Reimbursement of healthcare use depends on socio-economic statute and sum of the charges which are already paid. All healthcare costs are co-paid or third party paid. Co-paid means that patients pay full fees and are then reimbursed later for part of the payment. Third party means that the patient pays a small part and via taxation the government pays the remaining amount of care costs.
What happens if you need to see a doctor?
Each citizen can visit a MD or health care professional of his or her choice. This is a principle in our healthcare system. Contrary to neighboring countries such as the Netherlands we don’t have gatekeepers who decide. Patients can visit a medical specialist at specialized health centers/hospitals.
Who decides what doctors can prescribe?
The European Medicines Agency is responsible for the scientific evaluation of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the European Union. The Federal Public Service: Health, Food Chain Safety, and Environment is also a medical regulatory body in Belgium.
Practically, what is it like to live with type 1 diabetes in Belgium?
For the treatment of diabetes the federal government puts conventions in place, which are agreements between the person with diabetes, treatment team and sickness funds. Each party has rights and obligations. Various categories have been made such as type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, etc. Each category receives patient-oriented care with a main goal to reduce the risk of complications and create a high degree of self management so that there is less need for support from healthcare professionals. This in turn should cost less money to the social security system. Patients receive intensive training and material for the management of diabetes and medical support, all free of charge. Insulin costs nothing for people with diabetes and BG meters, needles and a significant amount of test strips are given (about 12 boxes of strips every 3 months). For kids, pumps are available for all if they want one.
What about getting admitted to hospital?
When you have to be admitted to the hospital various options or pathways are possible. If you are brought in by ambulance you pass via the ER and get admitted automatically. When you are due to the hospital with planned treatments you come in on the day that was scheduled. We also have policlinics which are in place for consultations at MD specialists. Emergency care (ambulance) is also very cheap or free if the ambulance is requested by Dr/police/fire department.
How does diabetes care vary throughout Belgium?
Federal law mainly organizes the diabetes care via the so-called conventions. Patients can freely choose their treatment team and where they want to be treated. The financing is organized via a social security system in which taxation and assurance fund the costs. Because of this, medication and treatment should be available to all. As a result of this there’s not much inter-regional variation, rather there is more choice variation.
Thanks to Margot Vanfleteren for helping with this information.