The Belgian government has approved new rules requiring people on long-term sick leave to be re-assessed by a doctor every year to renew their incapacity certificate. The decision was confirmed by the cabinet and announced by Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke.
Under the plan, most patients who are off work due to illness will need a yearly medical review with their GP to confirm what they are still able to do. Without this reassessment, their invalidity benefit could be withdrawn. However, the rule will not apply to people with very serious or degenerative conditions, such as advanced Parkinson’s disease or patients in hospital long-term.
The government says the aim is to keep better contact with long-term sick people and support their return to work where possible. Officials argue that some patients remain on benefits for years without fresh medical follow-up.
Alongside the annual checks, sickness funds will also review large numbers of long-term cases in the coming years. Around 218,000 dossiers are expected to be reassessed by 2029.
The reforms are part of the wider “Back to Work” programme, which also includes stronger incentives for people to return to employment. These include expanded and increased-value career guidance vouchers and higher bonuses for employers who support staff returning from long-term illness.
The government hopes the measures will reduce the number of people on long-term sick leave by around 100,000 by 2030.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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