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Health - basket

In Storms and Van den Bosch (2009) we discuss in detail the conditions that may give rise to a need for healthcare and medical consumption. However, apart from painkillers and some very specific medical aids, very little resources are required for day-to-day healthcare. Quite a few respondents from the focus group did point out, though, that psychosocial pressures can give rise to repeated consultation of a GP. This need would probably decrease considerably if one had sufficient resources at one’s disposal to lead a life compatible with human dignity. Meanwhile, we assume that each adult person pays two visits to a GP per year.

A second reason for taking into account additional GP visits is that it was indicated several times by the focus groups that medical costs (i.e. treatment by a psychiatrist) may be expected to increase if a psychosocial issue is left untreated for too long. Other relevant factors besides day-to-day conditions, infectious diseases and psychosocial complaints are prevention and health perception. Screening for cervical and bowel cancer were taken into account as preventive healthcare costs. In addition, we calculated the cost of mandatory and recommended vaccinations for children and adults, as well as the cost of preventive dental care for all persons over the age of twelve.

Finally, our healthcare budget also takes into account healthcare costs that are (or may be) charged to private households, i.e. personal contributions to healthcare funds and the Flemish care insurance premium. This item also includes hospitalisation insurance, considering that the medical expenses of hospitalised persons who require lengthy follow-up medical care or who subsequently become chronically ill can become substantial (through accumulation of patient contributions). The system of ‘maximum invoice’ (a system designed to limit patients’ out of pocket payments) can help in this respect, but it does not cover all costs and hence cannot resolve the financial issue entirely. Moreover, patients are not always able to avoid paying supplements, which are not covered by the public health insurance.

 

 

 

K.H.Kempen Vlaamse overheid CSB ULG