Tobacco, alcohol and healthcare: What changes in Belgium from 1 November

Euthanasia costs are to be covered by health insurance and home nurses will be able to provide more care without needing a prescription, among the changes in Belgium that came into effect on 1 November.

There was previously no provision in the compulsory health insurance scheme for the practice of euthanasia, according to the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI). Because no reimbursement was provided for, the costs were generally borne by the patient's relatives.

By adding euthanasia to the health insurance nomenclature, the costs can be fully covered by the mutual insurance company.

In total, the NIHDI provides for a fee of €180.24 for the doctor performing euthanasia. This covers the cost of equipment (with the exception of medicines), the practice of euthanasia, the confirmation of death and the drawing up of the death certificate.

For home nursing, patients previously had to have a prescription for medical procedures performed by home nurses, such as injections, in order to be reimbursed by the mutual insurance company.

As of 1 November, this requirement has been abolished. Each treatment will still be prescribed by a doctor, but nurses will no longer need a prescription for each individual procedure. Medicines, however, will still have to be prescribed by a doctor.

Other administrative and public health changes in Belgium that took effect at the start of the month are aimed at simplifying procedures and reducing the financial burden on Belgian residents.

Administrative procedures have been simplified for retailers selling alcohol and tobacco, for example.

The Union des Classes Moyennes (UCM) announced that a new single licence, called "Commerçant Alcool et Tabac" (Alcohol and Tobacco Retailer), will replace the three separate licences that were previously required.

This new licence is now required for the sale of alcoholic beverages, manufactured tobacco products, and e-liquids, which are now considered equivalent to manufactured tobacco products.