Reimbursement of medical costs abroad
Did you receive medical care abroad and want to request reimbursement for it? Below we explain step by step how to do this.
How do you request a reimbursement?
When you return to Belgium, you can claim your reimbursement as follows:
Download the reimbursement form for urgent care abroad, for planned care abroad, or for additional costs abroad. Keep a copy of all documents for yourself, such as medical bills, medication expenses, and proof of payment.
Collect all original paid invoices, proof of payment, and other medical documents and reports. Affix a white adhesive stamp to the documents.
- Send us your original paid invoices and proof of payment only by post to Helan Onafhankelijk ziekenfonds, Boomsesteenweg 5, 2610 Wilrijk. Or drop them in a Helan mailbox near you.
- You can submit the reimbursement request and any other documents digitally via this web form.
- Affix a white adhesive stamp to documents that you do not submit digitally so we can identify them immediately.
Via the My Helan App or on My Helan Web you will find a convenient overview of all your reimbursements. You can also request a PDF with a reimbursement overview for yourself and your dependants: per insurance, per provider, per date of care, and per payment date.
What types of treatment are covered?
Only after approval by the assistance centre Mediphone Assist:
- hospital admission: for admission of at least 1 night, for the first 15 days or longer if medically necessary
- oxygen therapy, dialysis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (only if you inform Mediphone Assist one month before departure)
- repatriation
- patient transport costs (e.g. from the site of an accident to a foreign hospital): for admission of at least 1 night or for outpatient care immediately following a winter sports accident
- outpatient medical costs due to a winter sports accident
- other urgent outpatient costs than winter sports accidents
- transport costs abroad for the patient in case of dialysis, oxygen therapy or chemotherapy: maximum €100 per month (only after approval by the assistance centre Mediphone Assist)
- travel costs from Belgium to abroad for a relative: maximum €500 (only after approval by the assistance centre Mediphone Assist)
- accommodation costs for a relative: maximum €100 per day for up to 10 days (only after approval by the assistance centre Mediphone Assist)
- the first phone call to the emergency centre: maximum €15
- medicines prescribed by a foreign doctor and purchased abroad
- medicines prescribed by a Belgian doctor and purchased abroad: only for medication that is also reimbursable in Belgium and in case of emergency
- Medical costs resulting from sports or leisure activities that involve an increased risk.
- Other: consult the articles of association.
Good to know
Inform Helan immediately if, upon your return to Belgium, you are unable to resume work. This allows us to arrange your incapacity for work in time and ensures you are entitled to an allowance.
Which countries are covered?
This only applies to urgent and necessary medical costs during a stay in:
- All EEA countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Czech Republic, Sweden.
- Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hebrides, Israel, Jordan, Channel Islands (Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Jersey, Sark), Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, North Macedonia, Isle of Man, Morocco, Monaco, Montenegro, Orkney Islands, Palestine, San Marino, Scilly Islands, Serbia, Shetland Islands, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia, Vatican City, United Kingdom, Isle of Wight, Switzerland.
Are you waiting for a reimbursement?
Activate SMS or email notifications via My Helan.
What if a reimbursement is rejected?
Has your reimbursement request been rejected because some details are missing or incorrect? If so, we will send you a letter asking for further information about your medical costs abroad. Below, you can find out exactly what you need to do to complete your claim.
