You don't live in a reception centre and need medical aid
As an asylum seeker in Belgium, you are entitled to medical care and affordable healthcare. Where can you go? And what should you pay attention to?
If you need a doctor or medicine, and you do not live in a reception centre, the first step is to make an appointment with a general practitioner (GP). You can find general practitioners in any town or city.
The general practitioner (GP) is there for you:
- if you need help with illness or after an accident
- if you need psychological help
- for a medical follow-up, e.g. if you have diabetes or are pregnant
- to refer you to a nearby doctor or hospital
- for your vaccinations and medicine
The general practitioner (GP) will keep a general medical record for you. You have to consent to this. Your general medical record contains all information about your health. The general practitioner (GP) can also explain how the healthcare system works in Belgium.
An appointment at the general practitioner's (GP's) office
You must first make an appointment (date and time) before going to the general practitioner (GP). You can do so through a website or app. You can also call the general practitioner's (GP's) office.
During the consultation, the general practitioner (GP) will ask you questions, examine you and prescribe medication if necessary. A general practitioner (GP) has knowledge of all types of diseases.
Everything you say during the consultation is confidential. The general practitioner (GP) is bound by professional secrecy and does not share information without your permission.
After the consultation, the general practitioner (GP) will decide what is the best way to help you and whether you need medication. The general practitioner (GP) may decide to refer you to a hospital or to a specialised doctor.
A hospital appointment
The doctor or nurse may refer you to a hospital for an examination by a specialised doctor or for hospitalisation.It is also possible to make an appointment at the hospital yourself.
Inform the hospital if you need an interpreter during the consultation.
The day you register at the hospital you have to bring your doctor's referral letter and your orange card, annex 26 or other identity document.
The hospital will first check whether you are entitled to the needed medical care from Fedasil. Some medical care requires the approval by a Fedasil doctor before the government health agency CAAMI-HZIV will reimburse the costs. You can use the online form for this (available in several languages).
After approval by Fedasil, the health agency CAAMI-HZIV will pay your medical expenses directly to the hospital.
Please note: Additional supplements, for example single room expenses, will not be approved by Fedasil.
If you cannot attend your appointment, you should notify the hospital as soon as possible. If you do not notify them, you will have to pay for the missed consultation. And be sure to arrive on time for your appointment!
Your medical expenses
Fedasil will pay most of your medical expenses. For hospital and pharmacy expenses, Fedasil cooperates with the government health agency CAAMI-HZIV.
To visit the hospital and pharmacy you do not need a requisitorium (request for payment) from Fedasil.
For a visit outside the hospital for example to a a general practitioner (GP) or other healthcare provider, such as a dentist, physiotherapistor psychologist, you do need a requisitorium from Fedasil
If you have a paid job under an employment contract, you can also join a health insurance fund of your choice. This way, the health insurance fund and not Fedasil will pay most of the medical expenses. You must first pay the co-payment to the healthcare provider yourself, and Fedasil will reimburse you on the basis of the invoice and proof of payment.
How do you apply for a requisitorium?
- A couple of days before your visit to the general practitioner (GP) or another healthcare provider outside the hospital, you (or the healthcare provider) should submit an application to Fedasil.
- Please use the online form for this (available in several languages).
- After having filled in the form, you will receive an e-mail informing you whether Fedasil will cover your medical expenses.
- If Fedasil agrees to cover your medical expenses, you will receive a second e-mail containing a requisitorium.
- Take the requisitorium with you to the general practitioner (GP) or healthcare provider. The requisitorium can also be mailed directly to the healthcare provider.
- If you have a requisitorium, you don't have to pay anything. After your consultation, Fedasil pays the medical expenses to the healthcare provider directly.
Collecting medicine at the pharmacy
In a pharmacy, you can pick up the medicine prescribed by the doctor.
The pharmacist will also explain the use of medicine and possible side effects.
Always take the doctor's prescription and your orange card, annex 26 or other identity document with you to the pharmacy.
The pharmacist will first check whether you are entitled to the needed medical care from Fedasil. Some medical care requires the approval by a Fedasil doctor before the government health agency CAAMI-HZIV will reimburse the costs.
After approval by Fedasil, the health agency CAAMI-HZIV will pay for the medicine directly to the pharmacy.
You can also buy medicine at the pharmacy that do not require a prescription, such as painkillers. If you buy medicine without a prescription, you will have to pay the full cost yourself.
What if you receive a medical invoice?
If you receive a medical bill (and reminders or letters from bailiffs) at home, you should send these letters to Fedasil as soon as possible:
- By mail: medic@fedasil.be
- By post : Fedasil - Fedasil Medical Costs Unit, Rue des Chartreux 21 - 1000 Bruxelles
Add the requisitorium that accompanied the invoice.
If the appointment is urgent and it was not possible to apply for a requisitorium in advance, add your personal details (national number or OV number). You can find the national number or OV number on the annex 26 you received from the Immigration Office.
Fedasil will investigate if it will refund the costs.
Do you wish to be reimbursed for expenses you paid directly?
For any request for reimbursement of medical expenses, Fedasil must have the following documents:
- Original invoice or a duplicate
- Proof of payment of the invoice
- Copy of the bank card. If the bank card is not in the patient's name, a letter from the applicant agreeing to the reimbursement to the specified account number must be attached.
- The requisitorium or your personal details (national number or OV/SP number if the appointment is urgent and it was not possible to submit an application in advance).
Send these documents to Fedasil at the following address:
By mail: medic@fedasil.be
By post : Fedasil - Fedasil Medical Costs Unit, Rue des Chartreux 21 - 1000 Bruxelles
Fedasil will investigate whether they will refund the costs.