The Belgian hospital system is made up of several types of establishments: public hospitals, private hospitals and university hospitals. Each of these establishments offers a range of services, from basic care to specialist treatment. Hospitals are equipped to meet a multitude of medical needs, including emergencies, specialist consultations and short or long-term stays.
Patients can access hospital care either by direct admission or by referral from a GP or specialist. Hospital services are accessible to all, regardless of insurance cover, but costs may vary depending on the status of the establishment and the care required.
In Belgium, mutual insurance companies cover part of the cost of hospitalisation according to the amounts set by the INAMI (Belgian health and disability insurance organisation), but patients often have to pay some of the costs themselves. The cost of hospitalisation may include the cost of the stay, doctors' fees, medicines and other care received during the hospital stay.
Mutual insurance reimbursements depend on a number of factors, including the hospital chosen, the type of room chosen (single or shared), the type of treatment received, and so on.
In other words, the amount of the bill will vary depending on the status of your doctor (whether or not he or she is covered by a health insurance agreement) and the type of room you choose:
If you choose a twin or shared room: supplements will not be charged.
If you choose a single or private room: this will incur additional costs, even if your doctor is covered by a health insurance agreement.
When you are admitted to hospital, please present your identity card (Belgian identity card, residence permit, diplomatic card). In this way, the hospital will send the costs covered by compulsory insurance (Belgian social security) directly to your mutual insurance company.
For costs not covered by compulsory insurance, the hospital will send you an invoice. You can then claim reimbursement of these out-of-pocket expenses from a hospital insurance company.
Supplementary hospital insurance is strongly recommended to cover costs not covered by compulsory insurance. This not only minimises the costs you have to pay, but also ensures that you have optimum access to quality care and the comfort you need during your stay in hospital.
Don't have hospital insurance yet? We can offer you hospitalisation insurance tailored to your needs: Hospitalia.
Discover Hospitalia
Our advisers are available to help you discover our full range of Hospitalia hospital insurance policies. Make an appointment with an advisor via video call!