Health Care

Belgium has very high medical standards and the doctor to patient ratio is one of the highest in the world. Health care is excellent and Belgium is a world leader in certain specialty areas such as fertility treatment and heart-lung transplants. Families who need to use Belgian medical facilities usually find that the cost is much less than stateside. For example: the in vitro fertilization process costs about $5,000; a visit to an emergency room for a few stitches (with a doctor in attendance) is about $75.

Visitors from the U.S. should be aware that a travel health insurance policy is usually advisable. Senior citizens over 65 should be aware that the U.S. Medicare program does not provide coverage overseas –even at a U.S. facility. U.S. citizens do not have the right to use military medical facilities even if they have private insurance. 

Brussels Army Health Clinic

• The Brussels community has a U.S. military health clinic. The Brussels Army Health Clinic (NATO) offers basic outpatient services including primary care, physical exams and immunizations. The clinic also offers basic pharmacy, routine lab and X-ray services. There are two providers at the clinic. Currently, one is a civilian family practice physician and the other is a military family nurse practitioner. Patients who require more than routine care are referred to local, host nation facilities, and in some rare cases to Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany. The Brussels Army Health Clinic (NATO) provides services for active-duty soldiers and their families. Retirees and other patients authorized for care are seen on a space available basis. Further information can be found by calling 011-32-2-686-1515. The hospital at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe was closed in the spring of 1993, so families who have chronic conditions that require services beyond the capabilities of the Brussels Army Health Clinic (NATO) will need to use local doctors and facilities. A patient liaison is available 24 hours, seven days a week to assist you with your medical care in the Belgium medical system. Some services are still available at the SHAPE outpatient clinics. These services include additional lab services, eye exams, etc. Obstetrics patients are seen by local Belgian doctors. 
• Both Brussels and SHAPE clinics are primary care clinics and require scheduled appointments. Due to COVID-19, all those entering the facilities now require an appointment for any service. Please call ahead to make an appointment for service. 

For additional information, please consult the Brussels Army Health Clinic (NATO) website.

Exceptional Family Member Program

• For exceptional family member questions, please contact Army Community Services. EFMP assists families who have special needs family members, both medical and educational. EFMP can assist with enrollment, information and referral services and support to those concerned. 

Prescriptions

• Family members on prescription drugs should bring a three-month supply with them to allow time for the pharmacy to stock the brand, if it is not currently carried.

Preventive Medicine

• Preventive Medicine is located at the health care facility at SHAPE. This unit provides a broad range of environmental health services, communicable disease surveillance and traveler's clinic. They serve as health consultants to all child care centers in the Benelux (there is no full time child development center in Brussels). Individual and group counseling regarding health promotion is available.

The U.S. Embassy's "Medical Care in Brussels" booklet contains information about medical and dental care and includes a listing of local hospitals, physicians, dentists and an emergency advisory section. The Brussels Army Health and Dental Clinic Patient Handbook is available at the clinic.

The Brussels community has a U.S. military health clinic, the Brussels Army Clinic that offers basic primary care, physical exam, and immunization services. The clinic also offers basic pharmacy, routine lab, and X-ray services. There are two providers at the clinic. Currently, one is a civilian family practice physician and the other is a military family nurse practitioner. Patient's requiring more than primary care are referred to Local specialists and or hospital.  On rare occasions, patients may be refereed to  Landstuhl Army Hospital in For the Brussels Army Health Clinic, serves the Active Duty Service member and their family.  All other patients (retirees, DoDEA, etc) are seen on a space available basis. Please call ahead for any questions, and to check availability. 011-32-2-686-1515.

The United States Army Garrison Benelux Dental Clinic in Brussels primarily serves the active-duty military community assigned to Brussels. Due to limited staffing, care is provided according to priorities. The first priority goes to active-duty service members. The second priority is dependents of active-duty service members. Third priority of care is retirees and their family members. State Department and non-Department of Defense employees and their family members are authorized treatment of true dental emergencies (severe pain, swelling, facial trauma and bleeding). There is a substantial charge for this service. Appointments for other than active duty are strictly on a space available basis. Currently, the clinic is able to see all eligible beneficiaries with the need to prioritize care.

The Brussels Dental Clinic is staffed by one dentist and one hygienist. This limits care to routine procedures such as fillings, cleanings and extractions. Specialty care such as root canals, crowns/bridges, dentures or partials is available on a space available basis. It is highly recommended family members remain enrolled in the TRICARE Family Member Dental Program. Patients may be referred to the Belgian economy or to specialty clinics in Belgium or Germany based on their dental needs. Exams and cleanings are scheduled at a minimum interval of once a year unless the dentist specifies otherwise. Cleaning appointments at six-month intervals may be scheduled when space is available.

Sick Call/ Exams

The clinic has no set sick call hours. Patients with a dental emergency (severe pain, swelling, facial trauma and bleeding) should call the clinic. In general, sick call patients are seen as soon as possible and appropriate based upon the complaint. Patients who cannot be seen within the needed time frame may be referred to another treatment facility (Supreme Headquarters Alliance Powers Europe or civilian provider).

Dental Emergencies

Those with true dental emergencies during after-duty hours should contact Leuven hospital for treatment. Family members must be enrolled in the TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan to receive reimbursement.

For additional information please consult the Dental Clinic website.

TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan

The TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan can be used overseas by family members. Military personnel who have family members such as college students who remain in the U.S. may stay enrolled in the TRICARE plan. TRICARE Dental Plan benefits and information are available at the Brussels dental clinic or go to the website. A list of Belgian providers is available on the website.

When you move, TRICARE moves with you. No matter where you go in the world, TRICARE is there before, during and when you get to your next duty station.

There are steps you need to take to make sure changes to your TRICARE coverage go smoothly. Understand that when you move, you may have to use a different TRICARE option. Visit TRICARE Moving to learn more.

Before you move, you should take care of any routine medical needs, including immunizations, and fill your prescriptions so you have enough while traveling. If you need care during your move, visit TRICARE Getting Care When Traveling to learn what to do.

Filling prescriptions while traveling

You should refill prescriptions before traveling. But if you run out of a prescription drug while traveling, visit TRICARE Filling Prescriptions When Traveling.

Getting dental care while traveling

Getting dental care while traveling depends on your location and whether you are a service member or family member.

• If you are an active-duty service member within the United States or in U.S. territories, and near a military installation, you may be able to get emergency dental care at the dental treatment facility, or DTF, if available. If not, contact the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Care Program before you see a dentist and tell the contractor about your move. You will need to get an authorization before you see a dentist. The Active Duty Dental Care Program will work with you, so you can get care from a local network dentist.
• If you are an active-duty service member at an overseas location, call the TRICARE overseas regional call center to get authorization before you see a civilian dentist.
• If you are an active-duty family member within the United States, in U.S. territories or at an overseas location, you can find out if any nearby military dental treatment facility treats active-duty family members. If you're enrolled in the TRICARE dental program, call the TRICARE dental program contractor or visit their website to find a provider. You will need to get an authorization before you see the dentist.

With permanent change of station orders, ask for a copy of your medical and dental records from your military treatment facility and the dental treatment facility. Do this at least one month before your PCS date. The MTF should also transfer a copy of your record and any family records to your new duty station or you may be able to hand carry them to your new duty station.

If you want someone else to be able to get medical or dental information on you or your family while you are moving, you need to complete a DD Form 2870, "Authorization for Disclosure of Medical or Dental Information."

For more information on getting copies of medical records, visit TRICARE Request Copies of Medical Records.

The Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven, which is used by many American families, is in a Flemish commune. Most of the staff and administration speak English. Belgian health care is considered among the best in the world, and therefore, American families should not be concerned about using local medical facilities. The hospital is fully equipped to handle most emergencies and routine medical conditions. The Belgian military hospital handles the hospital care of military personnel. Scheduled appointments can also be made with the United States military hospital at Landstuhl, Germany.

Maps to Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, Gasthuisberg Campus are available at the Brussels Army Health Clinic. Families are urged to get the map and do a practice run to the hospital. In an emergency, it may be difficult to stay calm and try to read a map. You may then choose to call an ambulance (112). The police are also alerted to an emergency when you call an ambulance. If you cannot be understood, your address can be traced if you leave the phone off the hook.