How do I get a refund from my health insurance?
Depending on your health insurance fund, you are entitled to a (partial) reimbursement for a short stay in Flanders.
On average, count on 15 euros per day for a number of weeks.
This is per year, so every year you can benefit from this reimbursement.
The number of weeks and exact amount depends on your health insurance fund.
Try using their website of to find out how much reimbursement you can claim.
If you need a recovery stay and need to follow a specific rehabilitation plan, some health insurance funds provide increased reimbursement. Indicate clearly when applying that it is a recovery stay, and coordinate carefully with your care facility whether they can meet the care need.
Some funds provide up to 70 euros per day reimbursement for your convalescent stay. Check your health insurance fund's website to see if you are eligible, which facilities they recognise, and how to apply for this allowance.
Some facilities only offer recovery stays. These are special facilities aimed also at younger people who are temporarily unable to live independently after e.g. hospitalisation or illness, and where an alternative is sought to admission in a residential care centre among older residents.
A recovery stay in a residential care centre is only indicated (and often only admitted) if you are over 65 years old. In a facility specialised in convalescent care, this age limit is dropped and people of all ages can be admitted.
Refunds by health insurance funds usually happen after you receive the final invoice from the care facility. Some health insurance funds have a direct arrangement whereby you only receive an overlay invoice after e.g. a convalescent stay, but in 90% of the cases you can apply to your health insurance fund afterwards with the invoice. This invoice is needed as proof for your health insurance fund to proceed to reimbursement.
If you fear you will have trouble paying this invoice despite reimbursement from your health insurance fund, we recommend you make an appointment with the social service of a nearby CPAS to find a solution.
Never let your financial situation restrict you from applying for the necessary care.
Restrictions on short-term stays in Belgium
Regardless of your health insurance or reimbursement, the number of days you can effectively stay in one care facility per year is also limited. You may book up to 90 days of short stay per facility per year. There is also a restriction that 1 booking can be for a maximum of 60 consecutive days. This means that you cannot take up these 90 days in one go.
Advice: if you do want to book more than 90 days per year in 1 facility, permanent residence is indicated. The daily rate will drop a little in many cases, but the reimbursement by your health insurance fund will be due.
Disclaimer final settlement and costs
Geriatro is not responsible for the amount on the final bill. No payments should be made through this platform. The daily prices advertised on this platform are kept up-to-date by the healthcare facilities themselves, and rather work as a guideline for applicants. They also do not take into account additional costs incurred during the stay (medication, pedicure, manicure, etc.). Care facilities do need to clearly indicate on this platform which products and services are inclusive, and which, if any, are charged extra in addition to the daily rate.
On average, count on 15 euros per day for a number of weeks.
This is per year, so every year you can benefit from this reimbursement.
The number of weeks and exact amount depends on your health insurance fund.
Try using their website of to find out how much reimbursement you can claim.
If you need a recovery stay and need to follow a specific rehabilitation plan, some health insurance funds provide increased reimbursement. Indicate clearly when applying that it is a recovery stay, and coordinate carefully with your care facility whether they can meet the care need.
Some funds provide up to 70 euros per day reimbursement for your convalescent stay. Check your health insurance fund's website to see if you are eligible, which facilities they recognise, and how to apply for this allowance.
Some facilities only offer recovery stays. These are special facilities aimed also at younger people who are temporarily unable to live independently after e.g. hospitalisation or illness, and where an alternative is sought to admission in a residential care centre among older residents.
A recovery stay in a residential care centre is only indicated (and often only admitted) if you are over 65 years old. In a facility specialised in convalescent care, this age limit is dropped and people of all ages can be admitted.
Refunds by health insurance funds usually happen after you receive the final invoice from the care facility. Some health insurance funds have a direct arrangement whereby you only receive an overlay invoice after e.g. a convalescent stay, but in 90% of the cases you can apply to your health insurance fund afterwards with the invoice. This invoice is needed as proof for your health insurance fund to proceed to reimbursement.
If you fear you will have trouble paying this invoice despite reimbursement from your health insurance fund, we recommend you make an appointment with the social service of a nearby CPAS to find a solution.
Never let your financial situation restrict you from applying for the necessary care.
Restrictions on short-term stays in Belgium
Regardless of your health insurance or reimbursement, the number of days you can effectively stay in one care facility per year is also limited. You may book up to 90 days of short stay per facility per year. There is also a restriction that 1 booking can be for a maximum of 60 consecutive days. This means that you cannot take up these 90 days in one go.
Advice: if you do want to book more than 90 days per year in 1 facility, permanent residence is indicated. The daily rate will drop a little in many cases, but the reimbursement by your health insurance fund will be due.
Disclaimer final settlement and costs
Geriatro is not responsible for the amount on the final bill. No payments should be made through this platform. The daily prices advertised on this platform are kept up-to-date by the healthcare facilities themselves, and rather work as a guideline for applicants. They also do not take into account additional costs incurred during the stay (medication, pedicure, manicure, etc.). Care facilities do need to clearly indicate on this platform which products and services are inclusive, and which, if any, are charged extra in addition to the daily rate.
Updated on: 18/04/2023
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