Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is a Dutch region located on the border with Belgium. The shrinking and aging population of the region brings unique set of problems causing the deterioration of healthcare. Often Belgian inhabitants seek care across the border in the Netherlands due to its territorial proximity. However, ZorgSaam, an organisation providing healthcare in the Dutch region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, has indicated that there is an obstacle hindering the cross-border access of Belgian residents to Dutch healthcare services. Often these people insured in Belgium are unable to receive reimbursements for their planned medical care in the Netherlands, for which they need a permission from their Belgian health insurance company. As a result, the cross-border access to healthcare for inhabitants of the border region is limited.
This report provides an overview under which grounds Belgian inhabitants may seek healthcare across the border: more specifically, under which grounds prior authorisations for planned healthcare should be granted and reimbursed.
