Search Q&A
Choosing a hospital
Dear all,
I am new to belgium. I live in Brussels (Etterbeek close to Ixelles; Schuman area). I can't choose a hospital as i know nothing about it over here. Do not speak french or dutch, thus i want my doctor to speak english. Also i wouldn't want to go to an expensive one. I have a partena insurance. If anyone could reccomend a good hospital and a doctor (GP, gynecologist) that would be most welcome. Thanks!
What made you choose "partena insurance"?
Who is your Mutuelle?
Do you have top-up "hospitalisation" insurance (either private, through work, or through your mutuelle)?
Why do you need to "choose" a hospital?
You might want to start with the English-speaking doctors who have their practice very close to Schuman. See link.
http://englishdoctorbrussels.com/wp/make-an-appointment/
Partena is a Mutuelle, J
First health care her is on the whole excellent. Albeit that you have to pay and claim back. No waiting list for many things you need to see that specialist the referral is made and you get seen fast.
I'd suggest find a good GP, there are many English speaking doctors male or female. I get routine hyena check ups at my GP practice just like in the UK. Unless you have specific need of a gynaecologist. I'd say shop about. Ask neighbours and colleagues for a referral to a good GP practice first. You don't have to settle for the first one you visit if they aren't to your liking. They really don't mind if you don't go back.
Check out appointment hours out of normal hours cover. Etc.
there are also many English speaking consultants in hospitals, so ask your GP for referral if you have need. You don't need to just chose one hospital if you don't want you. Costs can vary a bit. Again shop around for different issues check out costs first.
Flemish area hospital often you can easily get by with limited Flemish less sure about French hospital UZ Leuven is a bit far from you but they all seem to speak English there more or less.
Mutelle insurance is good for some thing for example blood test are amost totally reimbursed. The system is straight forwards and if you have questions about what is included partner wil answer them over the web or phone in English.
Extra Dental insurance is a good idea because teeth aren't covered by mutelles well at all.,
@CC-R
'teeth aren't covered by well mutuelles at all'.
A regularly heard fallacy.
My last 2 dentist visits cost a total of €71.00 and I was refunded €66.50.
All you need to do is find a dentist who doesn't try to rip you off and, specifically, doesn't tell you that 'this isn't covered by the mutuelle' and ask you to pay cash and not give you a receipt.
Never accept that something isn't covered, always get a receipt and, if something genuinely isn't covered, let the mutuelle tell you.
Practically all doctors here know English, I suppose to differing degrees of proficiency. But as all the medical research is in English, they have to know it. If you are still in your 20s/30s and reasonably healthy, you would probably just find a polyclinique when something needs looking at. They can refer to a hospital if neccessary. It's only when you have chronic conditions that you really need a regular a doctor.
About dentists there are plenty around. I am not so satisfied with my current one so cannot recommend. Again, most will know English. Check-ups are covered by the standard scheme, but any work is not (at least on my scheme, which is for "independents"). Youc an get optional additional insurance for dental treatments.
