ABSTRACT
In this chapter we will discuss the implementation of so-called targeting within universalism within the Belgian welfare state, with a specific focus on the health insurance system. Belgium has a compulsory but rather liberal social health insurance system where both patients and providers enjoy much freedom of choice. Out-of-pocket payments serve as an instrument for patient accountability and are in a cross-country perspective sizeable. This chapter provides a description of recent policy measures aimed at reducing the burden of out-of-pocket payments for vulnerable families through selective targeting.
