Belgium started reimbursement for teleconsultations on COVID-19

Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) has introduced two new service codes for doctors’ teleconsultation regarding COVID-19. INAMI Insurance Committee established a reimbursement fee of €20.

INAMI-RIZIV has modified Protocol on doctors' fees, prices and reimbursements for visits and consultations, in which stated, that from 14.03.2020 doctors are paid for the consultations they make by telephone in the context of the COVID-19 crisis

New INAMI pseudonomenclature codes came into force on 14.03.2020

• 101990 Advice for COVID-19 sorting (Avis en vue du triage COVID-19)
• 101135 Advice for continuity of care (Avis en vue de la continuité des soins)

Doctors charge the reimbursement fee of €20 for these services directly from the patient's mutual fund via the third-party payment system. Doctors cannot charge any supplement. Patients pay nothing.

This measure allows doctors to give medical advice by phone in 2 situations related to the COVID-19 crisis:

• To "sort out" and guide patients potentially affected by COVID-19
• To maintain continuity of care for patients, especially those suffering of a chronic disease, who can not attend their doctor because of the directives given within the framework of COVID-19 (immunosuppression, elderly, etc.)

If a sickness certificate is required, doctors can use the new model adapted incapacity for work certificate, which can be transmitted more easily and more quickly in this context of COVID-19.

INAMI is also continuing to examine how it can support other healthcare providers in their fight against COVID-19.

See the full details in French here.

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