While finding the right doctors and dentist may not be a priority when first moving to a new country, it remains a crucial part of settling into a new place.
When it comes to healthcare in Belgium, the first step for many will be taking out health insurance.
Although some don't realise it, it is mandatory for everyone over the age of 25 (and under 25 for those who work or receive benefits) who is officially residing in Belgium to have health insurance. This is done by joining a recognised mutual health insurance fund.
Alongside the basic plans for health insurance, there are typically options to add supplementary benefits, which can be relevant particularly for dental care.
Rates of services
Many medical services will be reimbursed by health insurers in Belgium. Depending on the service, patients often only have to pay a small share of the treatment, also known as a co-payment.
However, some healthcare providers do not follow the official rates agreed with health insurance funds. This means they are free to set their own rates, which could make treatments and appointments cost significantly more. These professionals are referred to as healthcare providers who are not "convened" or don't follow the agreed convention.
Before booking an appointment with any medical professional, it's advised to verify the status of the healthcare provider regarding this convention. This can be done on the website of the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI).
Finding doctors and dentists
In Belgium, general practitioners (GPs) tend to be the first point of contact for any check-ups, minor health complaints, or for references to specialists when needed.
Since 2001, Belgium has offered the option for people to open a global medical record (GMR) with a GP of their choice. This essentially allows the GP to record and centralise the medical history of their patient over time.
While an online list of GPS, and other medical professionals like dentists, is available on the INAMI website, another popular method to find a healthcare provider is to use Doctena. This is a website and app that allows people in Belgium to search for medical professionals, allowing users to filter for the type of speciality, location, and the language(s) spoken by the professional.
Notably, Doctena allows users to view the availability of the professionals and book appointments fully online.
