Doctors fees to rise

29 September 2004

BRUSSELS – Belgian doctors are to charge three euros more for every home visit they make, it was reported on Wednesday.

From October 1, doctors will bill EUR 28, instead of EUR 25, but patients should pay less than a euro more, since health insurance schemes have pledged to meet the difference.

This is the first of several price increases for general doctors agreed between doctors and health insurance companies last December.

The deal laid out a series of gradual fee increases, which will continue until 2005.

By next year, doctors will get EUR20 for a normal consultation and EUR30 for a home visit.

Fees will next be increased in April and on December 1 2005.

Subject: Belgian news