High charges for breast reconstruction must end, health minister says

Plastic surgeons are continuing to charge thousands of euros in supplements for breast reconstruction using a woman’s own tissue, despite an agreement with the mutualities to end the practice, according to De Standaard.

Women who lose a breast because of cancer can have reconstructive surgery using their own tissue, but the process is often very expensive because surgeons charge high supplements. Three months ago, medical insurance agency Riziv, the mutualities and doctors’ syndicates agreed that doctors could no longer charge these supplementary fees.

But the agreement is not being respected. “The result is that patients often postpone the surgery,” said Paul Callewaert of the Socialist Mutualities, which is threatening court action over each supplement.

Ivar Van Heijningen, a plastic surgeon from Knokke, confirmed to Radio1 that plastic surgeons refuse to sign the agreement. He says the mutualities are profiting from it while the federal government has to bear the costs.

Public health minister Maggie De Block said the fees were improper and that she would take action if the agreement was not carried out by the end of the month. “I have much respect for the work of surgeons,” she said, “but for a doctor it can really not be all about the money."

She pointed out that women who undergo such surgery don’t do it as a luxury treatment but to repair their body.

Photo: Ingimage