For which types of healthcare must you apply for prior authorisation?

 If you travel to another country in the European Union*, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for planned healthcare, and

1. if you wish to receive treatment subject to the conditions in Regulations (EC) 883/2004 en 987/2009* (= reimbursement according to the rules and rates of the public health insurance regime of the country of treatment),
then
you must in all cases have a prior authorisation* (S2 form*),

or

2. if you wish to receive treatment subject to the conditions of the European directive 2011/24/EU* (= reimbursement according to the rules and rates of the Belgian compulsory health insurance regime),
then
you must be in possession of aprior authorisation* (‘ad hoc’ document*) for certain categories of healthcare:
(i) healthcare requiring hospital admission with at least one night in hospital;
(ii) healthcare provided on an outpatient basis, and
- requiring the use of a CT scanner, an MRI scanner, a PET scanner or a cath lab (for cardiac catheterisation),
- or taking place in a radiotherapy department;
(iii) when your own safety or that of the general public is at risk;
(iv) if it is known that the foreign healthcare provider does not meet the quality requirements set by the legislation of the country of treatment.

How should you apply for prior authorisation?
What conditions must be met to receive prior authorisation?
Can your application for prior authorisation be turned down?
How long will the decision take?

More info?

For more information, contact your health insurance fund*.

* cf. Glossary