A large proportion of dentists in Belgium will not be adhering to the tariffs set in a new agreement on fees that was made between the Federal Health ministry and the health mutuals. Dentists are not obliged to charge the fees laid out in the agreement and more than 1 in 4 says that they don’t back the new tariffs.
Too few dentists back the new Belgian tariff and fee agreement
Published:
No dentist in Belgium is obliged to adhere to the tariff and fee agreement, even those dentists that signed up to the convention when it was agreed upon by the dental associations, the Federal Ministry of Health and the health insurance funds. The convention determines what dentists can charge patients for their treatments.
Not adhering to a convention he negotiated himself
Despite having helped negotiate the convention, the Chair of the Flemish Professional Association of Dentists Frank Herrebout, says that he won’t be adhering to the new fees.
Dr Herrebout told VRT News that the fees are not sufficient for his dentistry practice to be economically viable. He points to the high cost of wages for dental assistants, energy cost, the cost of materials and digitalisation as factors that make it very difficult for many dentists to be able to adhere to the new tariffs.
However, despite more than 40% of dentists saying that they don’t back the new fee and tariff agreement, Dr Herrebout says that "It may well be the case that 70% to 80 % of my colleagues will stick to the tariffs."
Health mutuals are concerned
Luc Van Gorp from the Christian Health Mutual (CM) told VRT News that the agreement is good for both dentists and their patients. Furthermore, the convention takes into account the increased costs faced by dental practitioners. Mr Van Gorp adds that it is a pity for patients that there is now continued uncertainty regarding tariffs.
"Patients don't know exactly what to expect and what they will now be charged. Mr Van Gorp went on to say that he assumes that that those dentists that support the tariff convention will adhere to the new agreed fees.