Supplementary physicians' fees: a sustainable system?

In Belgium and France, physicians can charge a supplementary fee on top of the tariff set by the mandatory basic health insurance scheme. In both countries, the supplementary fee system is under pressure because of financial sustainability concerns and a lack of added value for the patient. Expenditure on supplementary fees is increasing much faster than total health expenditure.

Should new health technology be available only for patients able and willing to pay?

New health technology comes on the market at a rapid pace and - sometimes - at a huge cost. Providing access to new health technology is a serious challenge for many countries with mandatory health insurance. This article analyses access to new health technology in Belgium and the Netherlands, using eight concrete examples as a starting point for comparing the two - neighbouring - countries.

Improved estimates of Belgian private health expenditure can give important lessons to other OECD countries.

OECD Health Data are a well-known source for detailed information about health expenditure. These data enable us to analyze health policy issues over time and in comparison with other countries. However, current official Belgian estimates of private expenditure (as published in the OECD Health Data) have proven not to be reliable.