Some aid principles applied by the PCAS

Article 1 of the Organic Law of PCAS provides that everyone has the right to live a life consistent with human dignity. In this way, the PCAS was established to grant the necessary assistance to reach this right. There is a PCSA in each Belgian commune.

Medical Card

The medical and/or pharmaceutical card is a card granted by the PCAS for a specific period of time and for certain benefits. It provides access to a GP, a physiotherapist or to go to a pharmacist as defined by the card without asking permission of the PCAS who pays the bill (or its majority).

In practice, all PCAS have one. The medical card is also called "Health Card". This card works differently from one PCAS to another. Thus, it is important to check with the PCAS of your neighbourhood how this card works and which GP you are allowed to visit, which are the allowances, etc.

The PSWCS medical requisition

The PSWCS guarantees that his affiliates can benefit from free medical care and ensures its refund to the medical care provider. This requisition is issued to GP, pharmacists, home care services, dentists, hospitals, etc.

The PSWCS medical requisition in public hospitals

Some PSWCS prefer to use the medical requisition rather than the medical card. But, in both cases, this allows the affiliate to consult GPs or be treated in a hospital that is part of the IRIS agreement of April 2nd, 1996.

Some PSWCS do not deploy the medical requisition as there is no public hospital in their area of competency.

15 out of 19 PSWCS in Brussels have signed the IRIS agreement.

Some PSWCS also have conventions with private hospitals.

In general, contact the PSWCS of your neighbourhood as each PSWCS works differently.

The social integration website (http://www.mi-is.be/be_fr/index.html) allows you to look for the PSWCS of your neighbourhood.

www.ocmw-info-cpas.be