It may perhaps not seem so, but no one childbirth is the same as the next. Important choices have to be made about which hospital you want to give birth in and in which room type you want to recuperate afterwards. The hospital and the room type (e.g. single or double room) have a significant impact on the bill for the delivery. In this way a natural birth cost in Belgium in 2015 an average of 186 to 1356 euros. In addition, the cost of a single room is often a multiple of that for a double room, and giving birth in Brussels is appreciably more expensive than in Flanders or Wallonia, with bills of more than 3000 euros being no exception. So check carefully in advance what your hospitalisation insurance covers. The fee and room supplements for a single room will be reimbursed only if the insurance covers the cost of a single room. Otherwise, you must pay these supplements yourself.
Once the hospital and room type have been decided on, it is time to inform your hospitalisation insurance of the arrival of your little one. Don't wait till a few weeks before delivery, but do so from 2 months before your due delivery date. An exact birth date is not necessary, your insurer will note the calculated date.
If you are pregnant, you will probably visit the gynaecologist and your general practitioner for months before giving birth. Maybe you will need certain medicines. Medical costs associated with childbirth are also eligible for reimbursement by your hospitalisation insurance if incurred within a certain period prior to delivery. Depending on your insurance this period is usually one or two months. Again: check your policy in advance to know the exact period. And keep all receipts and invoices carefully.
The big day
On the day of your admission everything takes place as with a normal hospital admission. The costs incurred during your stay will be itemized in your hospitalisation bill that will be sent only 2 to 3 months after your stay.