Visit to psychologist to be refunded from end of next year

Starting at the end of 2018, sessions with psychologists will be partially refunded by mutualities, federal health minister Maggie De Block has announced. The government will allocate a budget of €22.5 million to the measure.

Up to this point, temporary psychological help for those not seriously impaired were not refunded, though visits are usually €50 or more per session. Insurance refunds will apply to short-term treatment.

It’s not yet clear how much of the cost will be reimbursed or if a referral from a patient’s GP will be required to be considered for reimbursement.

“By offering support for first-line psychological care, people who now sometimes have to postpone help for years will get treatment more rapidly,” said De Block in a statement. “We are making psychological help more accessible, which will help prevent certain problems from escalating.”

Experts and patients have been asking for refunds for psychological counselling for many years. It is estimated that one in three Belgians deals with psychological issues at some point over their lives. One in 10 uses antidepressants regularly or semi-regularly. Therapy has been proven to be a sound alternative to medication for people with moderate depression or other difficulties.

Photo: Ingimage