Hospital Admission

Do you or a family member need to stay in the hospital? Discover how the Belgian hospital system works, what reimbursements are provided by social security in Belgium, and why having hospitalization insurance is a good idea.

The Belgian Hospital System

The Belgian hospital system consists of different types of institutions:

• General hospitals that offer broad basic care. These are the most common hospitals in Belgium.
• University hospitals, such as UZ Gent, UZ Leuven, UZ Brussel, and UZA, connected to a university.
• Specialized hospitals that focus on a specific area such as psychiatry or rehabilitation.

Patients can access hospital care through direct admission or via referral from a GP or specialist. Hospital services are accessible to everyone, regardless of your insurance coverage. However, the costs may vary depending on the type of institution and the care you need:

• Basic care
• Emergencies
• Specialized treatments
• Short or long stays

The Costs of a Hospital Stay

The costs of a hospital stay include things such as the accommodation, doctor's fees, medications, and treatments during your stay. In Belgium, the health insurance fund pays part of your hospital stay according to RIZIV rates. However, there are often costs left over that you need to pay yourself.

Reimbursements from the health insurance fund for your hospital stay depend on several factors:

• The hospital where you are admitted
• The type of room (single room or shared room)
• The treatment or procedure
• The doctor(s) who treated you

The amount you ultimately pay is often influenced by two types of additional costs:

• Honorarium supplements: Additional costs above the official rate set by the doctor. This depends on the doctor's status: conventional or non-conventional.
• Room supplements: Extra costs for a single room.

Important to know:

• If you opt for a double or shared room, no room supplements can be charged. Honorarium fees usually follow the agreed rates, and honorarium supplements are practically very limited.
• If you choose a single room (private room), additional costs are often involved. You may need to pay room supplements and, in many cases, doctors may charge you honorarium supplements, even if the basic care is reimbursed.

Therefore, only choose a single room if you have taken out hospitalization insurance.

How to Get Reimbursement for Your Hospital Costs

1. Show your identification papers at your admission (Belgian identity card, residence permit, or diplomatic identity card).
2. The hospital will automatically send the costs that fall under statutory health insurance to your health insurance fund.
3. For costs that are not covered by statutory health insurance, you will receive an invoice from the hospital.
4. You can then submit the invoice for those extra costs to your hospitalization insurance to request reimbursement.

Why Should You Take Out Hospitalization Insurance?

An additional hospitalization insurance is recommended because it covers costs not covered by statutory health insurance. Not only does it minimize the costs you need to pay, but it also ensures you have optimal access to quality care and the comfort you need during your stay in the hospital.