Doctors’ union BVAS opened the debate this week about the status of increased compensation. According to the union, the group that is entitled to this is becoming too large, and retirees in particular are putting pressure on the social system. CM Health Fund does not agree with that conclusion and notes another phenomenon. “In recent years we have seen more and more young people from big cities end up in the danger zone.”
In twenty years, the number of Belgians entitled to an increased allowance increased from 1.3 million to 2.2 million. “In other words, one in five Belgians has the label of ‘financially vulnerable patient’, which entitles them to a lower co-payment and other benefits,” says doctors’ union BVAS in a press release. “Time to reconsider that group and grant the status to those who really need it.”
Young people in danger zone
The doctors’ union focuses mainly on retirees. They are automatically granted the status on the basis of a low pension, without looking at their assets, says BVAS. “At a national level, the largest number of people with an increased allowance are indeed in the elderly group,” says Clara Vanmuysen, press officer of CM Health Fund. “But in Brussels we see that no fewer than 40.8 percent of 0 to 24-year-olds were entitled to an increased allowance in 2022. Twenty years ago, in 2002, that was still 15.9 percent.” (Continue reading below the infographic)
In concrete terms, in 2022, 142,692 young people (0-24 years) were entitled to an increased allowance in Brussels, compared to 56,504 people over 65. The CM has noted a similar evolution in other major cities, such as Antwerp and Liège.
The fact that assets are not taken into account, as the doctors’ union states, is not correct, says Vanmuysen. “The income test to determine whether a family is entitled to the increased allowance takes into account cadastral incomes, but also payments from pension savings or group insurance.”
Single-parent families and the platform economy
Although retirees still have the upper hand, the group of young people who are entitled to such an increased allowance is becoming increasingly larger. “We see that young people are increasingly ending up in the danger zone,” says Vanmuysen. “The many single-parent families and low starter wages have something to do with this, but we also see the influence of the platform economy. Companies like Uber and Deliveroo create jobs with low wages and little social protection, and we are now seeing the impact.” In addition, both unemployment and living wages are increasing among young people in Brussels. “Anyone who receives a living wage for three months is automatically entitled to an increased allowance.”
Another part of the explanation can be found in the large number of single-parent and single-person families in Brussels. “The more people find themselves alone with one wage, the more people need financial compensation,” says Vanmuysen. “If that wage disappears – for example due to illness – the financial situation quickly deteriorates.” This group again includes many young people, whose financial capacity is often lower. “Large families also have a greater chance of receiving an increased allowance.”
“Companies like Uber and Deliveroo create jobs with low wages and little social protection. We are now seeing the impact of this.”
Finally, there is a larger social problem, according to the press representative. “Half a million Belgians are ill for a long period of time today. In young people, this often concerns psychological complaints such as eating disorders. This obviously also has an impact on our social system.”
To be clear, the increased allowance does not mean that you will receive an amount every month, but it does mean that the government will contribute to health costs. People with a low income therefore have to pay less for healthcare. “For example, for a visit to the doctor, you pay four euros out of your own pocket without increased compensation. With increased compensation, that is only one euro,” says Vanmuysen. “We want to avoid that the financial threshold for healthcare is too high and people therefore postpone care.”
In addition to financial benefits, the increased compensation also offers other benefits, such as a cheaper STIB subscription.
Ban on honorary supplements
The fact that so many young people are in a vulnerable situation is worrying, says CM. To ensure that people do not postpone their care, next year there will also be a ban on fee supplements for people with an increased allowance for outpatient care, or all care for which you do not have to be hospitalized.
This article is originally published on bruzz.be
