Everything you need to know about mutual insurance

Are you an expat in Belgium? Or are you planning to come to Belgium for work? There are some important things you need to know about, such as mutual health insurance. Copper is happy to inform you all about this in this text. We will help you and your family with the entire process, so you have an easy-going and amazing stay.

What is a mutual health association

A health insurance fund, also called mutual fund or sickness fund, is a health insurance that partially or fully reimburses some health expenses. When you come to live in Belgium, you must have health insurance and therefore be affiliated with a health insurance fund.

If you are a member of a health insurance fund, you are insured for medical expenses. The health insurance fund reimburses part of the money you pay to the doctor, pharmacy, hospital,… This way you are protected against extremely high medical costs. And that’s how you go carefree to the doctor in Belgium.

What does the health insurance fund do for you?

The health insurance fund has 3 main tasks it helps you with:

1. Medical care interventions. This is the mandatory health insurance that each mutual health insurance fund must offer. The health insurance fund reimburses your medical expenses or provides a replacement income if you are ill for a long time. You don’t have to pay a membership fee for this. The RIZIV (Rijksdienst voor Ziekte en Invaliditeitsverzekeringen) determines which expenses are reimbursed.
2. In addition to the mandatory insurance, you can also take supplementary insurance for an annual fee. The health insurance fund then intervenes in various matters, such as reimbursement for glasses, pregnancy, sports and more.
3. Every health insurance fund has a care fund in Belgium. It is a solidarity mechanism, it aims to keep healthcare affordable for everyone. To achieve that, everyone pays an annual health care premium.

Which health insurance fund do you choose best?

The health insurance funds are non-profit associations that unite into subsequent national unions. There are 5 national federations in Belgium, divided into as many as 60 regionally organized health insurance funds.

1. National association of christian mutual insurance companies
2. National Association of Neutral Health Insurance Funds
3. National Confederation of Socialist Mutual Funds
4. National Association of Liberal Mutual Funds
5. National Association of Independent Mutual Funds

You choose best based on price, supply and what is near you

Article by Copper.

Was everything clear or would you like some help with this whole process? We are more than happy to help you with everything around insurance. With us, you can rest assured that your medical care is safe. So you are all set for your adventure in Belgium.