The FPS Social Security stated yesterday (Thursday) that since July 1st, it has become much easier to make one's disability known, through the use of the new on-line tool My Handicap. With the widespread use of the new on-line form, public services are demanding less from the disabled individual and are looking up information upon such individuals themselves.
This is according to a communiqué. Medical data and histories from the Global Medical File (GMF) are thus directly requested by the treating doctor electronically.
Previously, when making a request for any support, the disabled citizen had to go to his relevant municipal local authority to complete a 20-page form.
The citizen had to complete part of this pack himself and then make an appointment with his G.P. for him to complete the remainder of it.
From now on, everything has changed. The doctor can directly input onto the e-form and send data from his patient's medical file, using the platform E-Health.
A paper procedure is still envisaged for doctors who still do not exchange data electronically, the FPS Social Security states.
From now on, the request to recognise a given citizen's disability requires 20 minutes of the individual’s time by connecting to the new tool (www.myhandicap.belgium.be).
In comparison, as previously indicated it used to be necessary to complete a 20-page form.
The management of the DG Personnes Handicapées (the section of the FPS Social Security specialising in the needs of disabled people) is, from now on, responsible for downloading pre-collected data as needed.
This replaces the need to go directly to the service user. This would apply if, for example, they need data from the FPS Finance, such as income data.
“The new procedure provides a ‘win-win’ solution which benefits all parties,” the FPS Social Security states thus being self-congratulatory for its excellent infrastructure.
It goes on, “The disabled person does not gather the information himself. It is also a time-saver for doctors (...). Local partners, for example, social care, may also provide better targeted support for the disabled person.”
It concludes, “At present the accent is now on social interaction and not the administrative process.”
The efficiency gain makes it possible to reduce the duration for processing patient files from an average of four months to one month.
The Brussels Times
