The Benelux countries joined forces against healthcare fraud today, signing a declaration of intent, expressing their commitment to preventing fraud in healthcare by cooperating more closely and conducting a targeted survey. 

Belgian Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health Maggie De Block, Dutch Secretary of State for Public Health Martin van Rijn and the Luxembourg Minister of Public Health Lydia Mutsch signed the Declaration today, and the three countries will establish a working group bringing together all the services and actors concerned.

Above all, the phenomenon of fraud committed by convicted care providers, the abuse of the European health insurance card and the prevention of fraud in financial flows between the Benelux countries should be curbed.

The three countries will establish a working group that will bring together all the services and actors concerned. Experts will share their knowledge and best practices in fraud control in the healthcare sector, and will best map the different forms of

A recent survey by the European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network (EHFCN) revealed that fraud in the European healthcare sector is in the millions of euros.

Minister De Block said "Health care is funded by citizens' contributions. We therefore owe them the best possible investment in affordable and quality care. Waste, abuse, fraud and corruption go against this philosophy and we oppose our political measures. However, fraud and corruption do not stop at national borders. On the contrary, fraudsters use them more and more in their interest. Therefore, only one solution is needed: international cooperation". 

 

Secretary van Rijn added, "Fraud and abuse in the health care sector are unacceptable and must be severely repressed. They jeopardise the principles of reasonable cost and solidarity in our health care systems. It is therefore crucial that the Benelux countries now commit themselves together in the fight against fraud in cross-border care".

Minister Mutsch said that the declaration of intent signed today is a strong sign that marks their determination to prevent and combat cross-border fraud in heallth care.

Image: Jo de Cock; Pedro Facon; Wampie Libon; Paul Schmit.