People with self-reported unmet needs for medical examination due to financial reasons

Weighted number of respondents who, according to their own assessment, needed medical examination or treatment, but delayed or forewent care with as main reason that they could not afford to pay for care (too expensive) (using EU-SILC survey weights). Medical examination or treatment refers to individual healthcare services provided by or under direct supervision of medical doctors or equivalent professions according to national healthcare systems. Hence, this includes healthcare provided for different purposes (preventive, curative, rehabilitative, mental, long-term healthcare) and by different modes of provision (inpatient, outpatient, day, and home care). based on the following questions from the EU-SILC10 , 11: • PH040, identifying individuals with unmet needs for medical examination or treatment in the past 12 months. Question: "Was there any time during the past 12 months when you really needed a medical examination or treatment, but that this did not occur?" Response categories (up to 2017): 1. Yes, there was at least one occasion 2. No, there was no occasion Response categories (from 2018): 1. Yes, there was at least one occasion 2. No, I had a medical examination or treatment each time I needed 3. No, I did not need any medical examination or treatment • PH050, identifying the main reason for unmet needs for medical examination or treatment. Question: "What was the main reason for not having a medical examination or treatment? Response categories: 1. Could not afford to (too expensive or not covered by the insurance fund) 2. Waiting list, don't have the referral letter 3. Could not take time because of work, care for children or for others 4. Too far to travel/no means of transportation 5. Fear of doctors/hospitals/examination/treatment 6. Wanted to wait and see if problem got better on its own 7. Didn't know any good specialist 8. Other reason

Total weighted number of respondents (16+) included in the survey (using EU-SILC survey weights)

Dental care and self-medication are excluded.

None

Eurostat. EU statistics on income and living conditions survey

Gerkens Sophie, Maertens de Noordhout Charline, Lefèvre Mélanie, Levy Muriel, Bouckaert Nicolas, Obyn Caroline, Devos Carl, Scohy Aline, De Pauw Robby, Devleesschauwer Brecht, Vlayen Annemie, Yaras Harun, Janssens Christophe, Meeus Pascal. Performance of the Belgian health system: Revision of the conceptual framework and indicators set. Health Services Research (HSR). Brussels. Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE). 2023. KCE Reports 370. DOI: 10.57598/R370C. kce.fgov.be/en/performance-of-the-belgian-health-system-revision-of-the-conceptual-framework-and-indicators-set www.healthybelgium.be/en/health-system-performance-assessment

www.belgiqueenbonnesante.be/metadata/hspa/2024/A6_A7.pdf