A third of hospitals do not provide a price list for hospitalisations, according to a Solidaris survey published on Friday by various Flemish media. Of the hospitals that do, 28% erroneously charge patients for certain costs.
Solidaris aims to check hospital transparency regarding additional costs billed during hospitalisation. Hospitals can charge for certain items if provided to patients, but must publish the price list on their website.
Solidaris found that 26 out of 92 hospitals fail to meet this legal requirement. Most non-compliant hospitals are located in Wallonia. There are only five are in Flanders.
Of the hospitals that comply with transparency requirements, 28% still charge patients for materials that should not incur additional costs, predominantly in Flemish hospitals.
Solidaris plans to contact hospitals violating these rules and warns that legal action will be considered if they do not comply by June.
